chyreads29's review
4.0
CW: mentions of suicide
I can't remember the last time I was this enthralled by a book, but this had my attention from beginning to end. Eury and Pheus are such complex characters that you cannot help but love and root for. This story was altogether beautiful and heartbreaking. The way Rivera has morphed a Greek myth into a modern retelling centering TWO Afro-LatinX leads who navigate cultural identity and mental wellness is nothing short of genius. The construction of trauma and suicide as demons and monsters was so grounding and it forced me to feel every bit of what Eury and Pheus felt. I listened to this as an audiobook, but I ordered a physical copy because this is a book I just have to HAVE. I just know it will be one of the stories I constantly come back to.
I can't remember the last time I was this enthralled by a book, but this had my attention from beginning to end. Eury and Pheus are such complex characters that you cannot help but love and root for. This story was altogether beautiful and heartbreaking. The way Rivera has morphed a Greek myth into a modern retelling centering TWO Afro-LatinX leads who navigate cultural identity and mental wellness is nothing short of genius. The construction of trauma and suicide as demons and monsters was so grounding and it forced me to feel every bit of what Eury and Pheus felt. I listened to this as an audiobook, but I ordered a physical copy because this is a book I just have to HAVE. I just know it will be one of the stories I constantly come back to.
barbaramanatee's review
3.0
I was into this modern version until it turned Percy Jackson on me. I thought it was going to be the story completely reimagined, not just a retelling.
eveysuslibros_'s review
3.0
“A person comes into your life for a reason. You are meant to learn or you were meant to teach. Or both. There are no coincidences.”✨
Never Look Back is a modern retelling of Greek Mythology – Orpheus and Eurydice. Pheus and Eury meet in the Bronx. Pheus is Dominican, atheist/agnostic but charming and loves music. Eury is Puerto Rican, keeps Catholic faith, praying everyday, haunted and wants to escape her past. When they meet each other, their connection changes both of their lives.
Honestly I had no idea what to do expect when I picked this one up but I really enjoyed the story! I was kept on the edge of my seat. Eury and Pheus are so different, it was cool to have two perspectives. I loved seeing the growth in both characters.. Although, my favorite was Pheus’s father; Apollo– a great role model!
This is an enjoyable YA retelling, I do recommend this book. I loved the Latinx representation. It illustrates the ways trauma can haunt us, the stigma surrounding mental health and finding yourself.
Never Look Back is a modern retelling of Greek Mythology – Orpheus and Eurydice. Pheus and Eury meet in the Bronx. Pheus is Dominican, atheist/agnostic but charming and loves music. Eury is Puerto Rican, keeps Catholic faith, praying everyday, haunted and wants to escape her past. When they meet each other, their connection changes both of their lives.
Honestly I had no idea what to do expect when I picked this one up but I really enjoyed the story! I was kept on the edge of my seat. Eury and Pheus are so different, it was cool to have two perspectives. I loved seeing the growth in both characters.. Although, my favorite was Pheus’s father; Apollo– a great role model!
This is an enjoyable YA retelling, I do recommend this book. I loved the Latinx representation. It illustrates the ways trauma can haunt us, the stigma surrounding mental health and finding yourself.
francisopal's review
5.0
Full review: https://bookpeopleteens.wordpress.com/2020/10/29/review-never-look-back-take-two/
“What’s the point of singing if you’re not using your voice to move mountains?”
In total, Never Look Back is a perfectly fresh take on a tale centuries old that balances tugging at your heartstrings while instilling hope. Rivera was already one of my favorite authors, and her writing improves with every book. You’ll fall in love with Eury and Pheus as the fall in love with each other, and enjoy each nugget of vulnerable, poetic writing along the way. Rating: five Spanish covers of Prince songs/five
For fans of: [b:Orpheus Girl|41118351|Orpheus Girl|Brynne Rebele-Henry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555670763l/41118351._SX50_.jpg|64239155] by Brynne Rebele-Henry, [b:Furia|55429079|Furia|Yamile Saied Méndez|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600803570l/55429079._SY75_.jpg|67850784] by Yamile Saied Méndez, [b:Each of Us a Desert|41555962|Each of Us a Desert|Mark Oshiro|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582216107l/41555962._SY75_.jpg|64836450] by Mark Oshiro
Full author interview: https://bookpeopleteens.wordpress.com/2020/11/12/ttbf-interview-lilliam-rivera/
Ivy: I didn’t know you had a background in journalism, that’s really neat. Was that an interesting transition, from that to fiction?
LR: You know, if you write for entertainment and fashion it’s literally science fiction! You are interviewing people who have a life that’s surreal, that doesn’t make sense. So when I was interviewing these people it always felt outside of my realm, you know. I came from a very humble background, I grew up in the projects, we were very much poor. And for me to have these interviews with celebrities, they were always super fascinating because I looked at it like I was interviewing someone from outer space.
“What’s the point of singing if you’re not using your voice to move mountains?”
In total, Never Look Back is a perfectly fresh take on a tale centuries old that balances tugging at your heartstrings while instilling hope. Rivera was already one of my favorite authors, and her writing improves with every book. You’ll fall in love with Eury and Pheus as the fall in love with each other, and enjoy each nugget of vulnerable, poetic writing along the way. Rating: five Spanish covers of Prince songs/five
For fans of: [b:Orpheus Girl|41118351|Orpheus Girl|Brynne Rebele-Henry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555670763l/41118351._SX50_.jpg|64239155] by Brynne Rebele-Henry, [b:Furia|55429079|Furia|Yamile Saied Méndez|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600803570l/55429079._SY75_.jpg|67850784] by Yamile Saied Méndez, [b:Each of Us a Desert|41555962|Each of Us a Desert|Mark Oshiro|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582216107l/41555962._SY75_.jpg|64836450] by Mark Oshiro
Full author interview: https://bookpeopleteens.wordpress.com/2020/11/12/ttbf-interview-lilliam-rivera/
Ivy: I didn’t know you had a background in journalism, that’s really neat. Was that an interesting transition, from that to fiction?
LR: You know, if you write for entertainment and fashion it’s literally science fiction! You are interviewing people who have a life that’s surreal, that doesn’t make sense. So when I was interviewing these people it always felt outside of my realm, you know. I came from a very humble background, I grew up in the projects, we were very much poor. And for me to have these interviews with celebrities, they were always super fascinating because I looked at it like I was interviewing someone from outer space.
mariareadsbooksalot's review
4.0
This is a modern retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice Greek myth! I have heard of this story but didn’t really know too much about it going into the book and didn’t want to look anything up until after I finished! After reading the myth, I was really able to understand the book a little better! Part 1 of this book was a little slow for me and I had trouble getting through it until I hit part 2. Part 2 is so action packed and wild that I couldn’t put this book down! I really loved Eury and Pheus and their love for each other. I loved how Pheus did whatever he could to save Eury. I loved his passion for music and how he used it to help her. Overall, I really liked this one! I haven’t read very many Greek mythology retellings but I really enjoyed this one!! ⠀
steel_city_peach's review
4.0
Melancholy
I must say that this isn’t my kind of book. While I love YA fiction, I’m not into fantasy or supernatural stories. Towards the end of the book, it became very animated. It was like a strange hallucination. That didn’t deter me because the writing was so powerful and vivid. I felt like I was watching a movie in bold, bright colors. I had trouble connecting to Eury’s character, but Pheus saved the book for me. He was so lovable and sweet. I really love how the book addressed the opposing views of treating depression clinically or through prayer. That is such a necessary conversation. The author did a beautiful job of paying homage to Prince and his music. That turned out to be a pleasant surprise for me. This whole story was magical and well written.
I must say that this isn’t my kind of book. While I love YA fiction, I’m not into fantasy or supernatural stories. Towards the end of the book, it became very animated. It was like a strange hallucination. That didn’t deter me because the writing was so powerful and vivid. I felt like I was watching a movie in bold, bright colors. I had trouble connecting to Eury’s character, but Pheus saved the book for me. He was so lovable and sweet. I really love how the book addressed the opposing views of treating depression clinically or through prayer. That is such a necessary conversation. The author did a beautiful job of paying homage to Prince and his music. That turned out to be a pleasant surprise for me. This whole story was magical and well written.
missberlyreads's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
makaelah00's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
sometimesleelynnreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
tatiana05's review
5.0
This combined two of my loves: greek mythology and my Dominican culture. I loved every minute of it.