starsnstitchin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Grief, Violence, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Stalking, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, Death, Kidnapping, Outing, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Child death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, and Cursing
annorabrady's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is a great palate cleanser without being meaningless fluff; there was still a solid story with character development of primary and secondary characters alike, realistic behaviors in unrealistic situations, and worthwhile conflicts.
I will say that Nick's stupidity is both endearing and absolutely obnoxious. Especially when it causes certain plot points to carry on too long for my liking. Though, it's done in a way that makes sense for the character, so it doesn't feel unnecessary.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Outing, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Violence, Medical trauma, Death, Kidnapping, Vomit, Drug use, Gaslighting, Murder, and Stalking
annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
big thought out of the way, here are some scattered ones:
- there was a lot of build up and the climax seemed to drag on, but insufficient payoff. (though, at least there was any payoff at all, unlike Fence: Striking Distance. that's not relevant here, i just hold a grudge.)
- for the amount of times the narration described what teenage boys are like, i started to think maybe it was the author trying to convince us that he knew, like "how do you do fellow kids"
- it was genuinely funny
- audiobook reader was top tier 👌
- "I'm young and queer and in a fragile place right now." me
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Medical content, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Murder, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Ableism, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Excrement, Police brutality, Stalking, Vomit, Car accident, Classism, and Drug use