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jeanaquinlan's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Grief
Moderate: Homophobia and Antisemitism
felofhe's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
abbyarm's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Gun violence
Moderate: Ableism and Sexism
Minor: Violence, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism
rynaissanceenby'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
4.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Car accident
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Antisemitism, and Abortion
bestturnip's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
The constant switch up in writing perspectives and styles
Marx and his chapters hit home the most for me - despite making him the obvious "likeable" character while Sadie and Sam's flaws were obviously meant to be a main focus.
Some of the word choices in the prose (not only character dialogue) felt a bit over the top and like the author wanted to remind you how smart, not only the characters, but she was.
I absolutely hated
The passages from Marx's POV
Overall there were some really emotional and resonant scenes, and the references to theatre, art, and games were typically well thought out and had a place in the story. I wish that this book had a better idea of exactly what it was about, so our throughlines didn't get so muddled.
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Medical trauma
Minor: Racial slurs, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
charadelle's review against another edition
- 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
Holy cow! This book is written just as beautifully as the cover was designed. I loved being able to see the story from different angles. The use of online gaming worlds to show characters healing was stellar. I am completely unsure what it is about authors that make them always want to
Plot~~
The plot of this book was different than anything else that I have personally read. Primarily, due to the fact that this is about the world of creating video games and that's not normally on my list of primary plots I choose to read. (I won't lie, I was interested in this book solely due to the cover.... because I'm a judger. Sorry, not sorry). I love how the plot went through different periods of life for each character. Or if something happened to a character, we were often quickly transported to a moment of time to see why this current incident may be having a larger impact on the character.
Characters~~
We have Sam, who in my opinion was not my favorite. He pissed me off more than he didn't. Sadie, made me think of myself. The cycle of leaving and returning to bad relationships really hit home. Marx... I am going to need more time on this one.
World/Setting~~
Set between the 90s and 2000/2010s we got to watch the world of gaming develop and evolve. This was primarily what gave us the details in the setting. Yes, the book took place in Massachusetts and Los Angelas, but the whole setting was MADE due to the gaming industry during the different time periods.
Pacing~~
This book was decently medium paced. Every so often I would get a little confused when we went back to the past. The only thing that bothered me with pacing was how occasionally some information had been repeated.
Pre-Reading~~
I first saw this book at Target and became enthralled with the cover art. I’m so excited that the first book club I will be participating in is reading this book this month.
August TBR~~
Verity
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Quidditch Through the Ages
Tales of Beedle the Bard
Southern Book Club Guide to Slaying Vampires
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia and Antisemitism
margog2310's review against another edition
Graphic: Chronic illness, Genocide, Sexual violence, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Antisemitism, Toxic friendship, and Classism
eedle_cacleberry's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Mass/school shootings, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit, Antisemitism, Abortion, and Classism
jkwel's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
froozy94's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Antisemitism and Abortion