what a brilliant story! really unique and touching. the first third of this book was a bit of a slog, but getting past that was well worth it, and definitely had me captivated. this touches on a lot of really difficult stuff, but it’s all the more important for that.

This book holds a special place in my heart. It had such an impact on me when I first read it as a teenager. More than a decade later, rereading it brought back all of those same emotions. What a funny, mysterious, witty, beautiful, gut-wrenching story.

Beautiful and melancholic.

I don't have enough fingers to list the numerous tragedies this novel contains. The honesty and the brutality of these events made my heart heavy. I was sighing and shaking my head with despair, whether it was for something that happened or for something that could have happened. Because of that you might wonder: is this book not too dramatic? The answer is no. Because the author does it with finesse and cleverness.

I'm not gonna lie, the first quarter is hella confusing. We have two stories: one with Taylor and one with the Five. You don't have a clear distinction on page that tells you why a random italicized paragraph/page appears in the middle of the MC's POV nor do you have a precise timeline for it. Sometimes, these italicized bits are not even told in order. However, the more you read the more you understand the pieces. See it as a big puzzle that reveals a part of itself each time you add a new piece. Personally, I already trusted the author and simply decided to go with it without trying to understand everything at once.

I loved how a detail that, at first, seemed inconsequential turned out to be important or enlightening. I also loved the growing friendship between the characters. I have a soft spot for Chaz (his mother reprimanding her sons for swearing only to call them little shit was hilarious). Despite the dark themes, there are good moments and a magical element that counterweight the darkness.

This story and the characters moved me. The only thing that didn't make it a 5 stars was the confusion at the beginning. I feel like I missed crucial information because I didn't know what to understand. I think I would love it even more upon re-read, now that I know how everything is tied together.