This is one of the most heartbreaking books I've ever read. I didn't know it was possible to both love and hate a book so much.

Spoiler

I hate that Jude had to suffer so much. I hate that he hated himself and didn't see him as the amazing person he was. I hate that Willem died, I hate that Jude died. I hate how much Harold and Julia hurt. I hate how much pain abuse causes and how it reverberates throughout one's life and the life of those deares to them. I hate that so many people died at the end. I hate how Andy died, I would have been happier not knowing. I hate that JB, of all people, was what was left of them at the end. And yet, I love this book.

As for the writing, there are definitely some holes and things that aren't that believable. Such as how all of them became so popular. JB's first show was a hit. Malcolm was supposed to have lost his ability to be original and then, all of a sudden, he founded Bellcast and was a success. I would have loved to have a character who's a total fuck-up. To some extent, that was JB, but he got back on track. I can believe Willem's and Jude's success. Willem worked hard and got lucky, too. Jude was really intelligent and a hard worker as well. However, Willem was supposed to have made millions and been really famous. Yet he didn't even have a publicist or bodyguards. He never had to worry about paparazzi or crazed fans or his safety. Not sure you can make millions and still have such an uninterrupted life where people don't bother you.
That being said, I still love the concept of the story. I knew beforehand that it was a sad story, but I still kept waiting for something good to happen. For Jude to be truly happy, but of course that's not realistic when you've experienced so much abuse.
I do not agree with people calling this book misery porn. It's not. What happened to Jude is realistic, as are the consequences. Not every book can or should have a happy ending.