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evabeva's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying and Cursing
Minor: Animal cruelty
star_witch's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I purchased and read the book because I had only heard positive reviews…
I have been misled and deceived.
I could not take this book, the characters and their actions, or the plot seriously. This book reads like a kdrama and having finished this book, I still don't know if this is a good or a bad thing. Take a look at the plot points (spoilers ahead):
A deranged man committed a heinous crime that resulted in the death of Yunjae's grandmother and left his mother in a coma.
Following this event, a baker assumed the role of Yunjae's caretaker, only in the sense that he provides him with financial assistance and horrible advice.
Another man approached Yunjae at the hospital, where the latter was visiting his comatose mother. The man requested that Yunjae assume the role of his long-lost son in front of his dying wife. (despite having discovered his biological son and deeming him ill-fit to meet his mother)
The biological son (Gon) is a gangster with a criminal record who attends the same school as Yunjae.
Gon bullies Yunjae, motivated by Yunjae's deception regarding his identity to his [Gon’s] late mother, whom he had not seen or spoken to for 13 years due to him being missing. This escalates to a physical altercation where Gon inflicts severe injuries upon Yunjae.
Gon decides he wants to befriend Yunjae.
Manic pixie dream girl appears, because apparently every book needs a love interest. She has a quirk for running and offers nothing to the story.
Gon runs away and gets in with the wrong crowd.
Yunjae decides he wants to find Gon, which he successfully does but he has to give something in return.
Yunjae is beat within an inch of his life and ends up in the hospital. When he awakens he is greeted by his mother who has woken up from her coma.
The end.
The plot is ludicrous. It's so absurd I want to laugh.
I should also note that I don't have any personal experience with alexithymia, so I'm not sure if my interpretation is totally accurate, but it seemed like Yunjae's condition was used for the convenience of the plot.
- - -
Anyway,
I regret to inform you that the presence of quotable lines in a book does not guarantee its quality. While it is okay to read books purely for entertainment purposes, let’s not misrepresent this book's value.
- No character exploration on an individual level
- No relationship exploration
- Unrealistic plot (that could have been interesting if it was handled with care)
If this sounds like a book you might enjoy, go ahead and read it. (please read the trigger warnings, and summary —which in my opinion, downplays the severity of some events)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship
fruitsaladsk's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
4.5
Very realistic and interesting work of fiction, definitely a page turner with pretty good writing and an intriguing plot as well as well written characters. Was a light and engaging read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Murder, and Abandonment
annamgoodman's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
flashandoutbreak's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
andreamatallin's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
casinada's review against another edition
4.0
A really good read! It was very quick, but really impactful.
A boy witnesses the deaths of both his mother and grandma, but he isn’t able to grieve over them. He still has to continue schooling and taking over his mom’s business, while continually being picked on by his peers for his inability to feel sorrow for the loss of his family members. As his journey unfolds, he meets friends along the way.
I loved the characters too much, especially Gon, to be content with just 250 pages of him💔. There are so many quotes I have, and they still hit reading through them!
A boy witnesses the deaths of both his mother and grandma, but he isn’t able to grieve over them. He still has to continue schooling and taking over his mom’s business, while continually being picked on by his peers for his inability to feel sorrow for the loss of his family members. As his journey unfolds, he meets friends along the way.
I loved the characters too much, especially Gon, to be content with just 250 pages of him💔. There are so many quotes I have, and they still hit reading through them!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
garvsy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
or 5
What a good book OMG,
The author writes beautifully. Even tho it is a short book, it is full of feelings and growing characters. Every time I read it, it surprised me how many things could be written in such few pages.
The author writes beautifully. Even tho it is a short book, it is full of feelings and growing characters. Every time I read it, it surprised me how many things could be written in such few pages.
It took me some time to finish it but it was mainly because I'm a pussy and I knew what was coming...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Animal cruelty
sofiaamelia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty
maxgdy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
La historia se vuelve poco realista hacia el final con acontecimientos del “poder de la amistad y el amor”, especialmente con yunjae siendo curado, (o que nunca estuvo enfermo) .
Aunque aprecio las intenciones de la autora, creo que el mensaje que acaba dando el libro es que si eres diferente (tienes alguna discapacidad, condición o trastorno mental) la única forma en la que puedes vivir normalmente es si te “curas” o cambias completamente.
Sin embargo, es una historia corta y emotiva muy hermosa que habla también de las condiciones en las que crecen las infancias y adolescencias y cómo estas pueden influenciarlas y transformarlas para bien o para mal.
No soy buena poniendo en palabras mis pensamientos por lo que se podría malentender esta reseña, tal vez la modificaré en el futuro pero quería dejar una huella de mis pensamientos recién acabado el libro.
Aunque aprecio las intenciones de la autora, creo que el mensaje que acaba dando el libro es que si eres diferente (tienes alguna discapacidad, condición o trastorno mental) la única forma en la que puedes vivir normalmente es si te “curas” o cambias completamente.
Sin embargo, es una historia corta y emotiva muy hermosa que habla también de las condiciones en las que crecen las infancias y adolescencias y cómo estas pueden influenciarlas y transformarlas para bien o para mal.
No soy buena poniendo en palabras mis pensamientos por lo que se podría malentender esta reseña, tal vez la modificaré en el futuro pero quería dejar una huella de mis pensamientos recién acabado el libro.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Terminal illness and Grief