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imlaurenshelton's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was very enjoyable and I think people are missing out on the growth that the main character experienced. Possibly because they can’t relate or because they weren’t expecting that to be apart of the story. The main character is young, but this story can speak to all ages - and I found that it had just the right amount of humor and suspense. As a former nanny, I also liked a healthy depiction of what a caregiver/family dynamic looks like - yes, relationships like that do exist between nannies and their charges.
Now, onto the content warnings:
There is a scene/chapter that includes transphobia in the book. I didn’t even know one of the characters was trans until this chapter and I don’t think it’s mentioned again after it (which is kinda how it should be right? Just let the character exist without wrapping their identity around one aspect of their life).
Towards the beginning of the book, the main character picks up a book (book inception happens a lot btw) and there is mention of breasts spilling out of corsets. There’s also mentions of make out sessions and smooching and sex (without saying it) throughout when the character reads, for the most part though this book is fairly “clean”. (Which I personally prefer, if you’re going to mention make outs and sex, the way this author did it is a great example.)
There are also scenes that mention alcoholism, stalking, amnesia, heartbreak, abandonment, and mental illnesses. There is a scene at a hospital. There are moments when the character feels she has no control over her life. I personally found the read pretty light, but if you are in a bad head/mental space right now it may not be the time for you to read this book.
Finally, for those of the religious nature (I myself being Christian), there is mention of Greek Mythology in the book. Like a lot but I don’t want to totally give it away. The first time the character said a chant towards some of the Greek characters, albeit just because her drama teacher told her to, I felt uneasy (my gut proved to be right IJS). These characters are made to be real in this book, so if that bothers you then you will not enjoy the book.
Overall: I enjoyed the book! I’m not sorry for it and I’m going to buy a physical copy when I can find one locally. Oh yeah, I listened through Audible, the performance of this book by Amanda Dolan was very good - if you like audiobooks, this is a fun read. I also really love the cover of the book, I just think Shannon Hale did a good job with making this book pretty friendly for all.
Now, onto the content warnings:
There is a scene/chapter that includes transphobia in the book. I didn’t even know one of the characters was trans until this chapter and I don’t think it’s mentioned again after it (which is kinda how it should be right? Just let the character exist without wrapping their identity around one aspect of their life).
Towards the beginning of the book, the main character picks up a book (book inception happens a lot btw) and there is mention of breasts spilling out of corsets. There’s also mentions of make out sessions and smooching and sex (without saying it) throughout when the character reads, for the most part though this book is fairly “clean”. (Which I personally prefer, if you’re going to mention make outs and sex, the way this author did it is a great example.)
There are also scenes that mention alcoholism, stalking, amnesia, heartbreak, abandonment, and mental illnesses. There is a scene at a hospital. There are moments when the character feels she has no control over her life. I personally found the read pretty light, but if you are in a bad head/mental space right now it may not be the time for you to read this book.
Finally, for those of the religious nature (I myself being Christian), there is mention of Greek Mythology in the book. Like a lot but I don’t want to totally give it away. The first time the character said a chant towards some of the Greek characters, albeit just because her drama teacher told her to, I felt uneasy (my gut proved to be right IJS). These characters are made to be real in this book, so if that bothers you then you will not enjoy the book.
Overall: I enjoyed the book! I’m not sorry for it and I’m going to buy a physical copy when I can find one locally. Oh yeah, I listened through Audible, the performance of this book by Amanda Dolan was very good - if you like audiobooks, this is a fun read. I also really love the cover of the book, I just think Shannon Hale did a good job with making this book pretty friendly for all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Transphobia, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Abandonment
ratatouille_angel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-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: Alcoholism, Transphobia, and Abandonment
rwalker101's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
This book seems to walk a line between Shannon Hale's traditional works. It's not YA or Adult - it sits firmly in the New Adult category, as it focuses on Josie's struggles to decide what she's going to do with her life, now that she is forced to leave high school behind. It is not a high fantasy fairy tale, nor a superhero joint, nor an entirely-mundane adult novel; again, it seems to tow a line between these, with its magic realism bringing a shining, magical tint to Josie's mundane life in Missoula.
This book is not going to be for everybody. The reviews can tell you that. But if, like me, you used to disassociate and devour books by the hundreds, if you had a hard time following your imagined path after high school, if your early failures in adult life sent you spiraling into a mental health crisis, if perhaps you are still struggling to come to terms with the life your life is becoming - you might find something in this book to love.
Perhaps I'm biased - I am a staunch supporter of all things Shannon Hale, after all. This book is not perfect, but I found a lot to like in it, and I think, if you're like me, you might like it too.
This book is not going to be for everybody. The reviews can tell you that. But if, like me, you used to disassociate and devour books by the hundreds, if you had a hard time following your imagined path after high school, if your early failures in adult life sent you spiraling into a mental health crisis, if perhaps you are still struggling to come to terms with the life your life is becoming - you might find something in this book to love.
Perhaps I'm biased - I am a staunch supporter of all things Shannon Hale, after all. This book is not perfect, but I found a lot to like in it, and I think, if you're like me, you might like it too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Transphobia
Minor: Abandonment