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leximarie06's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was an incredibly hard read, but that just goes to show just how raw and real the emotions you get from it are. it was a tragic story but it was also a beautiful one, it shone light on issues that were due a shining and the writing was perfect. each scene was incredibly raw and i caught myself having to take multiple breaks in between scenes just to recover from the text. i dont regret reading this book one bit. it was very hard to get through but very much worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Dementia, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
ghostlyprince's review against another edition
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Biphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Lesbophobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Infertility, Racism, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, and Dementia
gretchlikestoread's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I just finished this and I’m still sobbing. 6/5 stars, I loved this book so much. Highly recommend the audiobook.
This novel follows an 8th grade Claudia who returns home from summer vacation to find that her best friend is nowhere to be found. The book jumps between past and present and is guaranteed to have you weeping at the end.
This novel follows an 8th grade Claudia who returns home from summer vacation to find that her best friend is nowhere to be found. The book jumps between past and present and is guaranteed to have you weeping at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Racism, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Abandonment
tamiashontae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Abandonment
mikathereviewer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
‘A part of me was glad Monday wasn’t named Friday. It would’ve been too tragic.’
- Claudia
Most things I would like to say about this book would be spoilers and since I aim for spoiler free reviews I won't include them, hence making the review shorter than my usual reviews.
First of all, I really liked the plot (also the heavy themes were interesting) and how we got confusing timelines was (I think at least) supposed to foreshadow a certain plot twist which I thought to be quite cool. Also, I got 2 ideas how the time line in this book might work (I added it at the end of my review)
Another thing I liked was how not every character was likeable and not everything was perfect and we also got characters that were not one dimensional and we got more than enough story. I really liked the time leaps as they showed us the relationship with Monday and Claudia before the story started where Monday was already gone.
The healing process seems realistic and isn't downplayed. We don't get a 'after a week I recovered' kinda recovery we get one where it's open for the reader to decide how long it took. And we also still see while trying to recover that they still take steps back, but of course steps forward too.
Really disliked the foreshadowing as this ruined a bit the fun for me as I already knew the plot twists before they even came. Only one was there I didn't know of, but that was rather as I misunderstood the foreshadowing as Claudia being just nosy and jealous for absolute no reason.
Another thing I disliked which I mainly noticed at the end of the story was how the characters didn't always stay the same. One moment they were bad and the next they were good and kind again. I get it that not every person has always the same moods and we can also change as a person, but the switching was so out of control and at some point just didn't make any sense anymore. I really liked Monday at first until we got told stuff about her from April which I'm sure were true as I'm certain that it was a plot twist too, especially with that one thing that stood in that book, but then in the end we get a Monday that always 'loved' Claudia and saw her 'always' as a soulbond sister. And the way Claudia's mum didn't want to listen to her own child when she tried to explain where she was or was over controlling by letting Claudia ALWAYS leave breadcrumbs (letting her mum know where she was). And Claudia wasn't even better. I just say March the first The After, February the 2nd The After. And April? She wasn't good either. She knew what she has done. Jealousy consumed her. That's a sociopath. The only cool character throughout the entire book was actually Claudia's Dad. He was chill. Had reasons for disagreeing. And ALWAYS took great care of his child.
Here is a quick guide how I understood the time line and how you could use it too as many users said that they got confused with it
September
The Before (Before September)
The After (IN September)
One Year Before The Before (One Year ago shortly before September)
Example: 27. August > (The) BEFORE September
3. September > IN September
One Year Before the Before > from 27. August 2018 to 27. August 2017
All dates are only examples and we don't get a direct number or year date. We only get 'The Before' which I assume means before the month we are in and 'The After' which might mean exactly inside the month as the next chapter is already AFTER the previous month so that wouldn't make sense. The year leap I think is 1-2 (depends on chapter) years from the same month and date before.
This is only a theory and the words can actually mean something different, but it helped me with the time lines for this book!
———
The only month that didn't match the guide is December so I have a 2nd theory that we get the story pieces on purpose wrong so the titles are only meant to help us to understand in which order they are and it hasn't to do with before, after or in the month.
I also have a book guide for those who want to read books that are similar to this one.
Other books mentioned in this book:
1. Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
2. Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
3. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
4. Push by Sapphire
These book all include either inc3st, sexual harrasment or even r@pe so make sure to read their content warnings before reading!
18. July 2024
- Claudia
Most things I would like to say about this book would be spoilers and since I aim for spoiler free reviews I won't include them, hence making the review shorter than my usual reviews.
First of all, I really liked the plot (also the heavy themes were interesting) and how we got confusing timelines was (I think at least) supposed to foreshadow a certain plot twist which I thought to be quite cool. Also, I got 2 ideas how the time line in this book might work (I added it at the end of my review)
Another thing I liked was how not every character was likeable and not everything was perfect and we also got characters that were not one dimensional and we got more than enough story. I really liked the time leaps as they showed us the relationship with Monday and Claudia before the story started where Monday was already gone.
The healing process seems realistic and isn't downplayed. We don't get a 'after a week I recovered' kinda recovery we get one where it's open for the reader to decide how long it took. And we also still see while trying to recover that they still take steps back, but of course steps forward too.
Really disliked the foreshadowing as this ruined a bit the fun for me as I already knew the plot twists before they even came. Only one was there I didn't know of, but that was rather as I misunderstood the foreshadowing as Claudia being just nosy and jealous for absolute no reason.
Another thing I disliked which I mainly noticed at the end of the story was how the characters didn't always stay the same. One moment they were bad and the next they were good and kind again. I get it that not every person has always the same moods and we can also change as a person, but the switching was so out of control and at some point just didn't make any sense anymore. I really liked Monday at first until we got told stuff about her from April which I'm sure were true as I'm certain that it was a plot twist too, especially with that one thing that stood in that book, but then in the end we get a Monday that always 'loved' Claudia and saw her 'always' as a soulbond sister. And the way Claudia's mum didn't want to listen to her own child when she tried to explain where she was or was over controlling by letting Claudia ALWAYS leave breadcrumbs (letting her mum know where she was). And Claudia wasn't even better. I just say March the first The After, February the 2nd The After. And April? She wasn't good either. She knew what she has done. Jealousy consumed her. That's a sociopath. The only cool character throughout the entire book was actually Claudia's Dad. He was chill. Had reasons for disagreeing. And ALWAYS took great care of his child.
Here is a quick guide how I understood the time line and how you could use it too as many users said that they got confused with it
September
The Before (Before September)
The After (IN September)
One Year Before The Before (One Year ago shortly before September)
Example: 27. August > (The) BEFORE September
3. September > IN September
One Year Before the Before > from 27. August 2018 to 27. August 2017
All dates are only examples and we don't get a direct number or year date. We only get 'The Before' which I assume means before the month we are in and 'The After' which might mean exactly inside the month as the next chapter is already AFTER the previous month so that wouldn't make sense. The year leap I think is 1-2 (depends on chapter) years from the same month and date before.
This is only a theory and the words can actually mean something different, but it helped me with the time lines for this book!
———
The only month that didn't match the guide is December so I have a 2nd theory that we get the story pieces on purpose wrong so the titles are only meant to help us to understand in which order they are and it hasn't to do with before, after or in the month.
I also have a book guide for those who want to read books that are similar to this one.
Other books mentioned in this book:
1. Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
2. Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
3. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
4. Push by Sapphire
These book all include either inc3st, sexual harrasment or even r@pe so make sure to read their content warnings before reading!
18. July 2024
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Torture, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Dementia, Abandonment, and Alcohol
ninapulis's review against another edition
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Miscarriage, and Violence
Minor: Bullying and Sexual content
ju10ma's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Confinement and Abandonment
kitkatkatdog's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
Loved it. When I went to work I kept thinking “where is Monday?” It was so emotional and tense and I could not have guessed the twist. It was a great read, I can’t wait to one day forget the mystery and read it again. I pray for the day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement and Infertility
Minor: Alcohol
phidelia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
“I know what you’re thinking. How can a whole person, a kid, disappear and no one say a word? Like if the sun just up and left one day, you’d think someone would sound an alarm, right? But Ma used to say, not everyone circles the same sun. I never knew what she meant by that until Monday went missing.”
Content warnings: (view spoiler)
Immediately after reading:
Still processing this book. Like how? How can a human even do that!? I-
After quite a long while...
Okay, a short way to put this, which in no way (really) gives a complete idea of the book (as I'm still hung over it all... and if you really want to know how it was, you should probably read it.) -
It is overall dark, emotional, creepy, mysterious, not thrilling, reflective, sad and slow-paced.
•Plot- or character-driven? A mix
•Strong character development? It's complicated.
•Loveable characters? Yes. No.(view spoiler)
The overall middle school to high school transition, peer pressures, best friends almost sisters, rumours, grief, loss, confusion and everything was quite solid.
The rest of it may have fallen apart somewhere because of its pacing and lack of (view spoiler)
It may seem confusing, as it alternates between a lot of timelines, but the ending weaves dumps it all, I think...?
I didn't expect the twist though. A failure on my part. This book definitely deserves credit for that.
Though definitely if I want something unexpected, mysterious & thrilling, I may go to explore more books by this author then.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
alxesi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Okay to start off I really did enjoy the book in the beginning. I think Tiffany’s writing style is great and she does a great job immersing us into the reality of Claudia. I also think this is a great book to bring light to real life issues. It does hold truth just how much Black children do fly under the radar and often don’t get help until it really is too late. But the reasoning for my rating is because the story that comes to light towards the end of the book is based on a real life case. For me personally the story lost its moment with me because I already knew what was going to happen because I was familiar with the case. And some things were very much verbatim but the issue I find with it is that the author doesn’t mention that it was based on a true story. So ofc I feel like it’s normal to feel weirdly about reading a book that involves someone’s true reality without permission or acknowledging it. Other than that I do think it was a good read overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Abandonment