shereadytoread's Reviews (806)

 
I really enjoyed this book but it is a true SET UP for the trilogy. If you are not interested in reading multiple books, this probably isn't the best pick. It's a bit bloated at over 400 pages, where there is zero resolution. Multiple mysteries are introduced and Stevie is a fun character to follow. There is a nice set up for the ensemble of kids with different interests and backgrounds. I think the concept of the school being individualized education is really interesting. I'm definitely moving on to the next book in the series 

This was … a confusing read for me. It’s not really a romance, not really a coming of age of story and not really a slice of life. I have no idea what I was suppose to get out of the story. The character group is very diverse in race, identity, socioeconomic status and personalities. I really enjoyed that but that was really all. 

There was such a mental health subplot but presented in almost a toxic way. The is very vague presentation of a roommate with SI, SIB, and ongoing mental health issues that is constantly referred to as “feral” while she struggles to take her medication. There was definitely MAJOR MPDG trope and the “deep” friendships seemed to serve very little outside of one important conversation with Raj. The MC seems to random “hurt” herself which many characters point out but it’s never really addressed. 

I wanted to love this book and I heard such great things so I was really disappointed in the end. (2.5 rounded down).