elskeevelien's review against another edition
2.0
I was incredibly excited about this one. It's been years since I've read Aristotle and Dante, but I remember absolutely loving it.
This book I enjoyed. It's about grief, family and self-discovery. It's in style/voice similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower. However, I had some problems with it.
Here's what I liked:
I loved the family aspect. Salvador's father is amazing and their family felt real. I loved how they were so inclusive and everybody was welcome.
It was moving and it had some great scenes.
What I didn't like:
The writing style and Salvy's voice is very young, even though he is quite mature (in his choices) and smart. It felt a little bit like reading a middle grade book with an YA audience. I like Saenz' writing style, but in this book, it didn't click for me.
When Sam and Salvy were talking I couldn't keep them apart. Their voices blended together a lot of the time.
I did enjoy reading it and it was over before I knew it. However, I was expecting more.
This book I enjoyed. It's about grief, family and self-discovery. It's in style/voice similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower. However, I had some problems with it.
Here's what I liked:
I loved the family aspect. Salvador's father is amazing and their family felt real. I loved how they were so inclusive and everybody was welcome.
It was moving and it had some great scenes.
What I didn't like:
The writing style and Salvy's voice is very young, even though he is quite mature (in his choices) and smart. It felt a little bit like reading a middle grade book with an YA audience. I like Saenz' writing style, but in this book, it didn't click for me.
When Sam and Salvy were talking I couldn't keep them apart. Their voices blended together a lot of the time.
I did enjoy reading it and it was over before I knew it. However, I was expecting more.
xjackyx's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book.
Made me cry a whole lot but I guess I was in a crying mood.
This book was about all the different kinds of love. It felt warm and safe to me, like a good long hug.
It was also a very quick read. I read it all in a day.
Made me cry a whole lot but I guess I was in a crying mood.
This book was about all the different kinds of love. It felt warm and safe to me, like a good long hug.
It was also a very quick read. I read it all in a day.
starswereenough's review against another edition
4.0
Benjamin Alire Saenz has a wonderful way with words and emotions and such a wisdom to his writing.
jessicaz's review against another edition
Probably this book suffered from how much I love Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe - some parts were really lovely, some parts strained credulity a bit (but that could just be my cold, black heart talking...)
nenekiri's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
emilyparrishh's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book by Sáenz, and it definitely won’t be my last. LOVED it. Somewhat comparable to Perks of Being a Wallflower.
abbiechron's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Coming of age story filled with lots of death. I did enjoy greatly that it wasn't romantic, at least for the teenagers. And that the childhood-friends-to-lovers trope did NOT come to fruition.
The texting format (which was frequent throughout) didn't translate well over audiobook.
Sweet ending.
The texting format (which was frequent throughout) didn't translate well over audiobook.
Sweet ending.
lizmarkus's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookishstone's review against another edition
5.0
This book was absolutely beautiful. It's a story about family, love, and friendship. It deals with a lot of real life issues like death of loved ones, adoption, drugs, and more. It's one of the most beautiful books I've read recently. I loved Aristotle and Dante but Sal, Sam, and Mr. V now hold a spot in my heart as well. Such an amazing book.