1 Star

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

/ Lindsay Kahoe / Leave a comment
This Is Where It Ends

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I read this book because it is a popular YA book at my school but most students weren’t finishing it. Other than being about a school shooting, there was nothing about this book that stands out. The characters are flat and predictable and the writing is below average.

Four students give their voice to tell the story about a day that changed Opportunity High. Ty feels alone after the death of his mother, the absence of his alcoholic father, and his sister following her own path, leaving him behind. He decides to take out his unhappiness on the rest of the students, during an assembly, where they are left trapped and subject to his sickening games.

This book was a quick and easy read and might appeal to reluctant readers but it does contain violence and gruesome death is described in detail. I would be careful of suggesting it to teens because of the subject matter. Parents, if your child reads this, I would read it also so you can have an open discussion about it.

I would not recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Bloom by Kevin Panetta

/ Lindsay Kahoe / Leave a comment
Bloom

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and in return am reviewing it honestly.

Bloom by Kevin Panetta is not a book I would ever choose to read on my own; it is a LGBTQ oriented graphic novel. The story follows Ari, a teenager who is trying to transition into adulthood but doesn’t know what he wants in life. His family owns a bakery and has hopes he will continue the business but Ari dreams of being part of a band. In comes Hector, an understanding guy whose passion is baking but he always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I found Ari’s character to be annoying. He is just a sullen teenager and his lack of a enthusiasm and never doing the right thing get old quickly. Hector, his love interest, seems too perfect and you wonder why he would even like Ari. Furthermore, the dialog is cliche and uninteresting. The only thing I enjoyed about the book, even a little, was the artwork. It’s done in blue-scale and is visually appealing.

I would not recommend this book.



View all my reviews