larryleex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
4.75
emmathebookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely charming & heartbreaking in equal measures
ruthmaloney's review
3.0
I thought there were editorial mistakes that rather got in the way for me. There was no internet when the action takes place.
Otherwise I enjoyed it but I had to work hard to keep reading as Fliss is such an unpleasant character.
Otherwise I enjoyed it but I had to work hard to keep reading as Fliss is such an unpleasant character.
emilywilliams97's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love Juno Dawson, but at times I felt like the immaturity of the main character put me off a bit.
charlottexclarkson's review
5.0
1. I was so close to tears so many times during this book! So, so emotional.
2. Every page seemed to have a damn plot twist...EVERY PAGE!!!
3. Floss started off as a dislikable and shallow character, but by the end I absolutely loved her - so compassionate with so many dimensions!
4. So much representation in this book.
5. The historical accuracy and knowledge on ballet was impressive.
6. I loved all the characters! Especially Margot, and even the lesser characters which you only met through her diary entries.
7. My copy had so many mistakes and grammatical errors which wasn’t cool.
8. It kind of bothered me how sections of the plot got forgotten about until they were necessary to the storyline again?
I read her first dip into historical fiction, Margot and Me, which gave me all the Clueless vibes that I didn't even know I needed until I read it! The complete opposite of Grave Matters, this novel battles with spooky supernatural creatures, poignant family issues and, of course, the mean girl at school whose out to get her. This book was such an amazing read with twists at every chapter, and just when I thought it couldn't get better, Juno hit me again with another wave of love, wonder and admiration for her excellence in writing. I can't begin to describe how much I simply adored this book; it made me laugh, it made me cry and most importantly, it left me wanting more, more, more! Definitely a favourite read and a swift addition to my favourites shelf...
2. Every page seemed to have a damn plot twist...EVERY PAGE!!!
3. Floss started off as a dislikable and shallow character, but by the end I absolutely loved her - so compassionate with so many dimensions!
4. So much representation in this book.
5. The historical accuracy and knowledge on ballet was impressive.
6. I loved all the characters! Especially Margot, and even the lesser characters which you only met through her diary entries.
7. My copy had so many mistakes and grammatical errors which wasn’t cool.
8. It kind of bothered me how sections of the plot got forgotten about until they were necessary to the storyline again?
I read her first dip into historical fiction, Margot and Me, which gave me all the Clueless vibes that I didn't even know I needed until I read it! The complete opposite of Grave Matters, this novel battles with spooky supernatural creatures, poignant family issues and, of course, the mean girl at school whose out to get her. This book was such an amazing read with twists at every chapter, and just when I thought it couldn't get better, Juno hit me again with another wave of love, wonder and admiration for her excellence in writing. I can't begin to describe how much I simply adored this book; it made me laugh, it made me cry and most importantly, it left me wanting more, more, more! Definitely a favourite read and a swift addition to my favourites shelf...
reviewsfromabookworm's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this, definitely the best book that Juno Dawson has ever done. I only had a few slight problems with it - a little too much going on in terms of tragic events, like it gets to soap opera levels and it felt like a bit too much. I also hate when I don't get full closure at the end of a book!
tasha5492's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? No
5.0
misfitangel's review against another edition
3.0
A good effort, and very emotional and sentimental in parts, but as a whole I just wasn't feeling this. Don't get me wrong, there were some great moments and qualities in this book, and it was good enough to keep me reading till the end. The relationship between Margot and Fliss Was absolutely beautiful. Their character development was sound too. I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one who couldn't stand Fliss at the beginning of the book. She seemed just the vein, shallow kind of girl that I despise the majority of the time, but as the story moves on, I began to admire her more and more, and ended up adoring the character she had become. The same could be said for Margot really. So in that sense, Dawson was right on target for her character building. I also loved its historical exploration of the treatment of women, and LGBTQ individuals, something I rarely see done well in a young adult novel. However, I found Margot's diary entries pretty cliche. There was some good stuff in there, but I think the issue lies with the way it is written. Maybe this was my own problem, instead of the book's, as when I picked this up, I didn't know it was a YA novel, instead thinking it would be something more literary, with out sounding like a total snob. But I think that was the problem here, as the diary entries were written in mind of teenagers, but I found both the rioting and the events that took place throughout the diary very watered down and sometimes inaccurate for the time it was set in. I mean, you are not telling me that two teens in 1941 seeing two guys making out in a cave wouldn't be a little ruffled, and not just because of the PDA. I mean, I was born in the late 90s so I can't exactly talk from personal experience, but I'm pretty sure there would've been a bigger reaction to seeing something so taboo in their society. And that's what I mean when I say it seems watered down. In my opinion, the best parts were when older Margot related her experiences, as these seemed much more realistic and credible.
Overall, I wouldn't say this is a bad book. It has many good qualities to its name, but I wouldn't go and recommend it to a friend, neither will I probably re-read it in the future. Maybe, if I had read this when I was younger, I would've liked it more.
Overall, I wouldn't say this is a bad book. It has many good qualities to its name, but I wouldn't go and recommend it to a friend, neither will I probably re-read it in the future. Maybe, if I had read this when I was younger, I would've liked it more.
ruthhelizabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Police brutality, Child death, Classism, Misogyny, Outing, Racism, Sexual harassment, Homophobia, Grief, Bullying, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child abuse and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Body shaming, and Animal death