dorinlazar's review against another edition
5.0
The focus now moves to Tomohiro's project - and choosing a location to film proves hard. One idea comes into play: the old school of Shoya's. So he and Satoshi visit the place talking to an old teacher, who proves to actually think that Shoko was the problem in that class, and that Shoko's disability was the problem all along.
What I loved about this volume is that it pulls no punches on Shoya. He's not perfect, he knows it, and he's failing on his friends. It's not a web of lies that holds him together, but a web of unspoken truths. Things he didn't want to mention. Things that people misunderstood looking at the current situation.
Two things caught my attention. The first one is how well done the overlap between Shoya and Shoko's fun date together and his remorse mental thread went. The second one is the way Shoko is permanently seen by everyone except Izuru as a mere object.
Now, in all honesty, Shoya's relationship with Shoko is fair although distant. It's explained at length in the book. He's hesitant all the time, and he's deeply ashamed, and he thinks he knows (despite Shoko's signaling of the contrary) that he could never be forgiven for his behavior. But all others treat Shoko like she's non-existent. The interactions with her are superficial at best. Her reactions are never checked, she's always the last one to matter in a discussion, despite being at the center of conflicts.
And, finally, this changes.. I am so eager to read the next volume, I could barely take the break to write this review.
What I loved about this volume is that it pulls no punches on Shoya. He's not perfect, he knows it, and he's failing on his friends. It's not a web of lies that holds him together, but a web of unspoken truths. Things he didn't want to mention. Things that people misunderstood looking at the current situation.
Two things caught my attention. The first one is how well done the overlap between Shoya and Shoko's fun date together and his remorse mental thread went. The second one is the way Shoko is permanently seen by everyone except Izuru as a mere object.
Now, in all honesty, Shoya's relationship with Shoko is fair although distant. It's explained at length in the book. He's hesitant all the time, and he's deeply ashamed, and he thinks he knows (despite Shoko's signaling of the contrary) that he could never be forgiven for his behavior. But all others treat Shoko like she's non-existent. The interactions with her are superficial at best. Her reactions are never checked, she's always the last one to matter in a discussion, despite being at the center of conflicts.
And, finally, this changes.
Spoiler
That stoic resolve of hers finally dissipates in a desperate act. Her decision to jump off the balcony is, I think, the first time she acts for real as a character. Now, now I can finally see some character development on her side as well. Now, I think, Shoko's part will finally start to make sense.librarycutie's review against another edition
4.0
okay wow, so that ending really had me shocked and i didn’t see it coming but also i kind of had a feeling, you know? i’m glad it went the way it did, though. this series is just soooo emotional and deep and dark when it comes to revealing emotions and feelings and secrets and hard hitting when it comes to bullying.
bobbi's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
googles's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Bullying
sylketaylorsversion's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
andromedafalls's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25