rebeccasreadingrambles's Reviews (3.06k)

Re-Read:
I just have chills reading this book again. The audiobook narration is STUNNING and the readers voice are so gorgeous. Even though I know what will happen I'm still gripped by this story and can't put it down. I wish I could change some things, but I'm trying to trust Sabaa.

Original review:
This is definitely one of the best books I've read all year! I immediately started the next one and cannot wait for the 3rd.

After finishing this book I have so many feels and thoughts in my head. The book grabs you with drama and terror right away and never lets go. Life seems dire and yet the characters somehow find a way to keep going. The ending was crazy and left us right at a serious cliffhanger. The writing was beautiful and the characters were awesome. The book flips between Elias and Laia's stories and each were so good that I was never disappointed when the POV switched. Both had such tense and dramatic stories that I was also dying to see what was going on with the other person, so I think the author did a really good job of building the suspense and knowing when to flip.
The premise of this book and this world is really well thought out and described. I can perfectly see the poor scholars in their town, the terrifying masks, the creepy as anything augers. The characters are so dynamic that it always kept me guessing and I frequently changed my mind about many of them.

I listened to the audiobook and it was really well done. I definitely think it helped me enjoy the story even more.

So many emotions. I was avoiding reading this book, knowing it's subject matter and narrator, but I'm so glad I finally did. Having the story told from Jack's POV was so unique and yet so very powerful. For this boy who thought the whole world consisted of one room is heartbreaking in itself, but reading about how

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he wanted to return to Room once he was freed was really hard to read.

This is really his story about how he and his mom survived in this room and

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then survived in the world outside again. The part where they planned escape kept me on the edge of my seat and heart pounding, so worry about their survival.

Jack is not only an endearing victim, but a strong, brilliant, and completely lovable little boy. It was interested to see his reaction to things we take for granted ever day. This is a book that will probably stay with me forever.

Though the subject matter is dark, I absolutely recommend this book to everyone. It is a one of a kind experience.

Note: The audiobook is (obviously) narrated in a child's voice, which was jarring at first, but I quickly got used to it.

This book was hard and dark and uncomfortable at times. But I loved it and flew through it. The characters are strong and unique and Wavy intrigued me right away. As we life story unfolds I found myself in shock many times as we learn a little bit about why she is the way she is.

There's no doubt the story line is tough. But I tried to look at each situation through each character's POV.

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At first I thought Kellen and Wavy's friendship was a little weird, until I realized they both needed someone to take care of AND someone to take care of them. Wavy's family barely cared she existed and her mother has forced her not to talk to people and not to even eat in front of people. She thinks she is dirty and will just make others dirty. Kellen's family also abused him until he was able to escape. He can't escape his anger at the world though and at some times I think inside he is still the little boy trying to survive.

When they started dating (or were engaged) I was determined to look at it as the couple did. They truly loved each other and needed each other. They looked out for each other and would protect each through anything. Is that not love? Yes the sexual stuff did make me uncomfortable, but mostly because it made Kellen uncomfortable too.

I'm not saying I support this type of relationship, I'm saying that I am trying not to judge people based on outsider knowledge.

I was rooting for them to be together because I just wanted them to be happy and maybe be able to form a safe and caring family unit. I got so mad at Brenda for hating Kellen so much. Could she not see how important this relationship was to Wavy and how it wasn't just some sick pervert trying to take advantage of Wavy? But then I also tried to see it though Brenda's eyes. Her sister didn't take care of Wavy at all. They were dead and here was some man seducing her 13 year old niece. In her situation I think I would be just as outraged and upset.

These situations are all about perspective. Yes I wanted Kellen and Wavy to be happy, but I felt like I knew them and their background and what made them happy. Brenda knew what she knew and wanted to protect Wavy also.

I think what sums up this book is when Wavy tells the judge," Your family is real, but mine isn't? .....I'm as real as you are". I tried to look at the whole book from Wavy's eyes and not those of an outsider looking in.

This was a very cute story and I really enjoyed it. I like Lara Jean and Peter very much. Kittie provided some really good comic relief and was quite adorable. Most of the story was pretty predictable, but I didn't mind because it was fun to read. At first I though LJ was a little baby-ish but as the story went on I understood her personality more. I liked the idea behind her good/bye love letters and kind of hope we get to see more. The ending was pretty open and I can't wait to see what else happens in the next book.

Am I the only one who didn't like Margo at all? It annoyed me how "no one could every do anything as good as Margo". And I'm sorry but she's a hypocrite.

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Everyone else asks LJ if she's okay after they what the tumor, but Margo just throws it in her face and tells their dad, instead of TALKING to her. And she was so immediately rude about LJ dating Peter when she knows NOTHING about it. She complains about how hard it was for her to be so far away from her family... but she's the one who chose it! Yes I'm sure it was hard, but how can you throw that at Lara-Jean?!

I'm not downplaying all that she did and how she took care of her family, I just didn't like her for the reasons above.

Wow I really liked this book more than I had expected. Cath is such a relatable character that the story sucked me in right away. As someone who can also have social anxiety and absolutely spent her younger years reading so much Harry Potter fanfiction, I can understand Cath more than any of the other characters. She has been through so much in her life and is always looking out for other people while worrying that she might be doing something wrong or embarrassing. The more you get to know her the more she jumps off the page. The characters around her are interesting and sometimes very infuriating. So many times I just wanted to yell at them or have her yell at them (which just isn't her way). She doesn't hold a grudge the way so many others would have.

I really enjoy Rainbow Rowell's writing and this is no different. The story flows nicely and though it's not super fast paced, it works perfectly for this. I loved reading snippets of Carry On Simon and the other books and how they sort of correlated with Cath's life.

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And Cath and Levi are too adorable without being too cliche or over the top. Genuine is the word I would use to describe them. I'm so glad there was a happy ending to this one and I am STOCKED that we can read Cath's Fanfict which is an awesome addition. I have to say I wanted to smack her sister for about half the book, but at the same time I could tell she was really struggling and needed help getting out of it. And Cath's writing partner....UGH I just wanted her to be a super tattletale about that, but I'm glad it got resolved the way it did.

I'm going to jump right into Carry On from this because I am so intrigued about Simon and Baz.

This was amazing! I felt all the emotions. The writers had my full attention from start to finish and the illustrations were amazing. This is definitely something I will read many times!

Wow this book hit hard. Beautifully written, strong vibrant characters and so much emotion. It made me sick to my stomach and my chest hurt. It made me smile and laugh. It made me think. I can't remember the last book that made my cry so many times. The writing was so vivid and well done that I could feel character's emotions like they were my own. Strong strong strong characters. And so many important themes that made this book feel like a true to life story.

Starr's struggle to navigate her world and the extraordinary and life altering situation she is put into. She is amazing. I simply don't think I could step into her shoes. She's a rockstar because she is so real.

I'm not going to start an argument via goodreads reviews, but just state my feelings through this amazing book.

I'm from the suburbs of Baltimore and lived in the city while the Freddie Gray case happened. I remembered the media, the riots, the looting, seeing tanks drive down the streets of my neighborhood. Being on lock down at work and at a baseball game. Walking past armed military men and women who were there to protect some people in the city against others. It's something I hope never has to happen in a city again. Though I did not grow up in the city and have not faced what many people face on a daily basis, I could understand both side of what was going on. And I saw so many of things play out the way they did in this book. Not only the "police vs thug", but the poverty that forced people to live lives they wouldn't have chosen. How the media always picks a side. How truths and perception all get muddled together.
The biggest message for me here was when Starr that even if Khalil was a drug dealer, so what, that doesn't mean his life should be forfeit. And that Starr has hope that these things will change. I hope and pray that they do Starr.

Wow. This book. Is. Amazing!
I didn't want to read it because I was so afraid of being sad, but this book was wonderful and I'm so glad I read it. This book is so true, so funny, so sad, and so real. The characters are bright and beautifully brought to life. Hazel is so smart and realistic and a great character. Her parents are loving and lovable. Gus is sassy, witty, dramatic, and a great person. There are so many quotes that are funny and true about life that made me really think as I was reading this story. Seriously, everyone should buck up and go read this. It will suck you in, it will make you happy, it will make you mad, and you be glad you did!

What a wonderful and light read! Good book for book clubs. The story is not too simple that it becomes boring but a delightful read that becomes hard to put down. I loved the characters and was instantly drawn in by the plot. Could not stop smiling while reading