Take a photo of a barcode or cover
bibliosizzle's Reviews (302)
I absolutely loved this book. I listened to it on audio and it was read by the author. I think she did such a great job. It was funny and heartfelt. I am glad that I know a bit more about Rebel now.
**Thank you to Atria Books and Fredrik Backman for the book, given to me in exchange for my honest review.**
I've been a Fredrik Backman fan for a long time. Longer than I've been reviewing books, that's for sure. So when I received this advanced reader copy, I was thrilled. I will try to go into this review unbiased for the sake of those readings this post.
The story follows a group of children who are growing up in a not so great part of town with varying not so great circumstances. Their story is told through the memories of those of were there from a future vantage point, looking backward.
THEMES: What does success look like when no one believes you have any potential? What does growth look like when you're expected to die before you're 30? What does it mean to love when no one deems you worthy? What is a friend and friendship and does it follow any rules or patterns?
LIT ELEMENTS: Of course Fredrik Backman is going to give you all of the character development that you need. You love/hate/relate all throughout this book. The imagery and plot pacing are immaculate. Much of this story revolves around a painting, and I can see that painting vividly in my mind as if I saw it in person.
VIBES: This book give you all the feels. I am about to be 40 on Thursday, and I was right there with these kids - wasting the days away in the ocean, falling in and out of love, realizing that yours is not the only perspective that matters. Despite their poor circumstances, these kids were still able to find joy in being fifteen. It made me want to be fifteen again, see my friends from those years again, and fall in love for the first time again.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of well written contemporary literature, who is looking for a nostalgic experience, or who enjoys a hard earned happily ever after.
I've been a Fredrik Backman fan for a long time. Longer than I've been reviewing books, that's for sure. So when I received this advanced reader copy, I was thrilled. I will try to go into this review unbiased for the sake of those readings this post.
The story follows a group of children who are growing up in a not so great part of town with varying not so great circumstances. Their story is told through the memories of those of were there from a future vantage point, looking backward.
THEMES: What does success look like when no one believes you have any potential? What does growth look like when you're expected to die before you're 30? What does it mean to love when no one deems you worthy? What is a friend and friendship and does it follow any rules or patterns?
LIT ELEMENTS: Of course Fredrik Backman is going to give you all of the character development that you need. You love/hate/relate all throughout this book. The imagery and plot pacing are immaculate. Much of this story revolves around a painting, and I can see that painting vividly in my mind as if I saw it in person.
VIBES: This book give you all the feels. I am about to be 40 on Thursday, and I was right there with these kids - wasting the days away in the ocean, falling in and out of love, realizing that yours is not the only perspective that matters. Despite their poor circumstances, these kids were still able to find joy in being fifteen. It made me want to be fifteen again, see my friends from those years again, and fall in love for the first time again.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of well written contemporary literature, who is looking for a nostalgic experience, or who enjoys a hard earned happily ever after.
Meh. The narration felt overacted. She comes off as self important and egotistical. Dare I say narcissistic? Almost like she wrote this book for herself rather than for the reader. It wasn't relatable despite how desperately she tried for it to be. Yes, it was desperate. Look at me! Look at all the things I did! Isn't my life so sad? Except its not.. it's privileged and unrealistic.
It gets three stars because I was able to listen all the way through - but I won't recommend it to anyone.
It gets three stars because I was able to listen all the way through - but I won't recommend it to anyone.
This book almost made me want to become a vegetarian…. Almost.
It was ok. It didn’t have me in a choke hold the way that Hooked did. I was annoyed a bit at Sara’s inconsistent personality. She was also not very smart.
But for real - how can someone who smokes that much weed be so damn angry?
The story was fun and was well done as a fractured dark romance story. Points for creativity, I guess.
But for real - how can someone who smokes that much weed be so damn angry?
The story was fun and was well done as a fractured dark romance story. Points for creativity, I guess.
Thank you to Ever for giving me the ARC for this one - even though it took me forever to finally pick it up and read! I am so glad that I did.
This was so unexpectedly awesome! I am a huge fan of dark academia, dark fantasy, romantacy. This delivered in all genres. The magic, the romance burn, and the suspense were all really well done. Once I picked it up I kept wanting to come back to it. I also loved the mythos that was sprinkled in for those of us that are fans of Greek mythology.
Tropes I loved were: enemies to lovers, touch her and die, shadow daddy says so, slow burn.
Very well done Ever! I can't wait to read the next one.
This was so unexpectedly awesome! I am a huge fan of dark academia, dark fantasy, romantacy. This delivered in all genres. The magic, the romance burn, and the suspense were all really well done. Once I picked it up I kept wanting to come back to it. I also loved the mythos that was sprinkled in for those of us that are fans of Greek mythology.
Tropes I loved were: enemies to lovers, touch her and die, shadow daddy says so, slow burn.
Very well done Ever! I can't wait to read the next one.