bcorley's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible. Captivating. Heartbreaking. I wish I could erase my memory so I can read this book over again for the first time. It is definitely one of my favorites ever. Suzanne Young’s writing - I am speechless. She is so talented and so intriguing. I couldn’t put it down. 10 out of 10 would read again!
xshaeshae's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My favourite author, not a bad book by any means, but SO SAD. I like to read books as an escape from my life, and I'm going through a rough patch and this just made me sadder. Good book though.
alifromkc1907's review against another edition
4.0
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Gut Instinct Rating - 5
Characters - 4
Believability for type and topics - 3.5
Similarity to other books - 4
Writing Style - 4.5
Excitement Factor - 5
Story Line - 4.5
Title Relevance - 3.5
Dust Jacket Art - 5
To read or not to read? Definitely a good read.
Movie? None (although it would be a good one)
Goodreads users gave this book a 4.01. I think it was more deserving of a 4.33.
Published on December 1, 2016
Pages: 259
Publishing Company: Simon Pulse
Number of books by author: 26
Genre: YA Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction
If you've been following me for a while, you know I'm a HUGE fan of The Program series by Suzanne Young. I came across the series one day at Barnes and Noble and decided I'd give it a shot. It is now my favorite series of all time. Young came out with a few other books, but they didn't fit in with my typical reading tastes, so I passed over the option to read those. Until today, I didn't actually know she had 26 books out (5 in the Program series as of today, the 6th and final on the way). I saw her post about this one coming out late last year and thought it sounded pretty intriguing. So, I added it to my list and recently made the purchase. It was well worth it, and will lead me to look into some more of her books outside of The Program. This book was simply real, gritty, and hear-wrenching all at the same time.
I was a little disappointed that the characters were so divided by the first and second halves of the book. Like any good reader, I wanted more of what makes Savannah, Savannah. Her friends played such a vital role in the beginning of the book, but they were just written out, like a TV series randomly killing off a key actor in the middle of the show. It just didn't make sense for me to have them so absent towards the end. It was an easy write-out to bring the second half character, Cameron, closer together.
The believability also threw me. It's not set in a fantasy world, it's not anything that couldn't happen. It's just so unlikely that it would. I want to elaborate on this so much, but the relationship Savannah plays into with Cameron and his family is so unrealistic. It was the thing I struggled with the most as I read this. I kept thinking, "no one's parents are like that," and "but how is this just happening? How does no one notice?" The story like, however, was unique. There wasn't anything new that no one has ever written before, but it was the way in which these things were brought together that made them as powerful as they were. It's a situation that 1 in 1,000 people is probably ever going to be in. But that's what made this story so amazing. You have these components to a tragic story that a lot of people never have to think about; they never have to live through it. And instead of using a more obvious route, in regards to her brother, you see something noble and heroic taking place for most of the book.
The writing style was almost top notch. I think as Young has explored and written more books, she's straying away from what she used to process, which was the prologue, story, and epilogue. There was the pre-text, that helped you get the quick preview into someone's life; the story, which led right up until the last moments; and then your closure. And I really missed that in this book. The last chapter, maybe two, were a bit gap-y. We were at full speed ahead in a day-to-day type of recall, which then quickly moved into the future; and then nothing. No closure, no curious last words; just the end. The rest of the novel was smooth and connecting.
The title didn't pair well with me. There could've been something that she saw or maybe said throughout the book that would've led me to believe that this was the perfect title, and I simply missed it. But, I wasn't really feeling the "all in pieces" title with this story. I think it showed less about the pieces of her life, and more about the heroism, overcoming, and determination to live better. the artwork also revealed something online that it didn't in person. A third person on the cover. I can only assume that's Retha, but I read this book in several different lighting scenarios, and all I thought I was seeing was a cloud of smoke... it is the perfect cover with or without her; but I question a little (just a teeny-tiny bit) why Evan wasn't on there...
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Gut Instinct Rating - 5
Characters - 4
Believability for type and topics - 3.5
Similarity to other books - 4
Writing Style - 4.5
Excitement Factor - 5
Story Line - 4.5
Title Relevance - 3.5
Dust Jacket Art - 5
To read or not to read? Definitely a good read.
Movie? None (although it would be a good one)
Goodreads users gave this book a 4.01. I think it was more deserving of a 4.33.
Published on December 1, 2016
Pages: 259
Publishing Company: Simon Pulse
Number of books by author: 26
Genre: YA Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction
If you've been following me for a while, you know I'm a HUGE fan of The Program series by Suzanne Young. I came across the series one day at Barnes and Noble and decided I'd give it a shot. It is now my favorite series of all time. Young came out with a few other books, but they didn't fit in with my typical reading tastes, so I passed over the option to read those. Until today, I didn't actually know she had 26 books out (5 in the Program series as of today, the 6th and final on the way). I saw her post about this one coming out late last year and thought it sounded pretty intriguing. So, I added it to my list and recently made the purchase. It was well worth it, and will lead me to look into some more of her books outside of The Program. This book was simply real, gritty, and hear-wrenching all at the same time.
I was a little disappointed that the characters were so divided by the first and second halves of the book. Like any good reader, I wanted more of what makes Savannah, Savannah. Her friends played such a vital role in the beginning of the book, but they were just written out, like a TV series randomly killing off a key actor in the middle of the show. It just didn't make sense for me to have them so absent towards the end. It was an easy write-out to bring the second half character, Cameron, closer together.
The believability also threw me. It's not set in a fantasy world, it's not anything that couldn't happen. It's just so unlikely that it would. I want to elaborate on this so much, but the relationship Savannah plays into with Cameron and his family is so unrealistic. It was the thing I struggled with the most as I read this. I kept thinking, "no one's parents are like that," and "but how is this just happening? How does no one notice?" The story like, however, was unique. There wasn't anything new that no one has ever written before, but it was the way in which these things were brought together that made them as powerful as they were. It's a situation that 1 in 1,000 people is probably ever going to be in. But that's what made this story so amazing. You have these components to a tragic story that a lot of people never have to think about; they never have to live through it. And instead of using a more obvious route, in regards to her brother, you see something noble and heroic taking place for most of the book.
The writing style was almost top notch. I think as Young has explored and written more books, she's straying away from what she used to process, which was the prologue, story, and epilogue. There was the pre-text, that helped you get the quick preview into someone's life; the story, which led right up until the last moments; and then your closure. And I really missed that in this book. The last chapter, maybe two, were a bit gap-y. We were at full speed ahead in a day-to-day type of recall, which then quickly moved into the future; and then nothing. No closure, no curious last words; just the end. The rest of the novel was smooth and connecting.
The title didn't pair well with me. There could've been something that she saw or maybe said throughout the book that would've led me to believe that this was the perfect title, and I simply missed it. But, I wasn't really feeling the "all in pieces" title with this story. I think it showed less about the pieces of her life, and more about the heroism, overcoming, and determination to live better. the artwork also revealed something online that it didn't in person. A third person on the cover. I can only assume that's Retha, but I read this book in several different lighting scenarios, and all I thought I was seeing was a cloud of smoke... it is the perfect cover with or without her; but I question a little (just a teeny-tiny bit) why Evan wasn't on there...
brokenrecord's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. This was really great! I really liked the romance between Savannah and Cameron - although that at times, Cameron seemed a little too perfect. But the romance was still lovely, and I also really loved his family and how they accepted Savannah. My other complaint is that for most of the book, I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to want Savannah to keep Evan or for him to go with his aunt.
Spoiler
I spent basically the whole story wanting her aunt to take Evan because Savannah was just a teenager and taking care of a child, particularly one with special needs, just seemed like too much to handle. And it didn’t seem like her aunt was evil or anything, so I had a hard time understanding why Savannah was so dead set against Evan going with her aunt. I was glad in the end when her aunt did take Evan and Savannah became more accepting of the situation.cupcakegirly's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this one! This story and these characters resonated with me long after I finished the book. It's gritty, heart-breaking, and full of hope.
Savvy is the kind of character you want to champion. She's strong, selfless, and fiercely protective of those she loves. Her struggle to hold it all together broke my heart. Cameron's unwavering patience with her pieced it back together again.
All in Pieces will appeal to fans of Huntley Fitzpatrick, Katja Millay, Sarah Dessan, Katie McGarry, and Jennifer L. Armentrout's, The Problem with Forever.
Savvy is the kind of character you want to champion. She's strong, selfless, and fiercely protective of those she loves. Her struggle to hold it all together broke my heart. Cameron's unwavering patience with her pieced it back together again.
All in Pieces will appeal to fans of Huntley Fitzpatrick, Katja Millay, Sarah Dessan, Katie McGarry, and Jennifer L. Armentrout's, The Problem with Forever.
laurenash's review against another edition
3.0
I saw a lot of reviews saying they sympathized with the characters but didn't connect with them and that's sort of how I feel too. Cameron, Savannah, and the rest of the secondary characters are realistic and mostly likable, except for Patrick... He was a giant douche.
What made this book difficult to get into: things are allllllways bad for Savannah. And as a reader, you feel like you're drowning too.
Cameron gets a star for being smooth af. Not to mention he has the patience of a saint.
Evan & Savannah's siblingship gets a star.
And a star for it not being a horrible read despite everything.
What made this book difficult to get into: things are allllllways bad for Savannah. And as a reader, you feel like you're drowning too.
Cameron gets a star for being smooth af. Not to mention he has the patience of a saint.
Evan & Savannah's siblingship gets a star.
And a star for it not being a horrible read despite everything.
faichowdhury's review against another edition
I recall reading this book a while ago, and I remember it being a very special and emotional read. This book has lots of emotional events in which I sympathize with the main character so much. The main character has lived such a messed up life which is pretty sad to look at. The plot is organized well and the romance between the two characters is stirring. I recommend it!
eebluee's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment