A review by fanboyriot
When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson

emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

♡ Angst
♡ Lots of Backstories
♡ Multiple Point of Views 

My thoughts with this book have been “huh?” and “what is even happening?” I was so confused with so much of this book.  The plot only made sense near the last 80% as things tied together but up until then it was a cluster of confusing and random backstories.

The switching point of views was a bit annoying, for the most part it was third person point of view for Miles and Dizzy, first person point of view for Cassidy mostly, and a bit of second for Wynton.  I liked that it had multiple point of views I just wish they were all in third person point of view or even first person point of view.  The letters/notes were kinda confusing at first but I got used to them later on.  The characters themselves were okay.  They had depth and a backstory but I didn’t really find them all that likable.  

Dizzy was so random at times as if the author wanted to make her seem younger than she was or something.  She was so frustrating to read.  And all the mentions about her lack of sexual experience was weird for her age in my opinion.  Miles was okay.  He clearly had a bit more trauma and things to work through but at the end of the day he was also frustrating to read just a bit less than Dizzy.  Cassidy was the only one I even remotely liked, I could have honestly read a book about her on her own and all the adventures her and her mom went on.  Her growing up and working through all of the trauma and grief pushed onto her at a young age.  Wynton was just kinda there.  I didn’t care either way for him.  His character didn’t really add anything to the story in my opinion other than when he was in a coma.

The ending was also kinda meh.  I was expecting a bit more after so much build up.  Nonetheless, thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧💧💧 (4/5)
POV: Multiple, Third Person, First Person, and Second Person (kinda)
Release Date: 24, September 2024
Rep: Synesthesia (Main Character), Bisexual (Side Character), Gay (Main Character)

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