Lin's Perspective

Let me start by saying that I did enjoy this book quite a lot. I very much appreciated the representation of social anxiety, the depression reference, and the mental struggles as a whole, as I have been through it myself in the past and even now I still struggle with anxiety. Definitely, the author managed to portray these problems very well either from personal experience or research and I could relate.

The comic that Eliza was creating in the story was amazing and I wish the author did a separate book only about it with all the drawings because they were great and I would like to know how that story ends!

The format the book was written in was different and engaging and it reminded me of Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman which is interesting and unusual.

I did have some minor issues with Eliza and her parents, however I will expand more about this under the spoiler section.

Overall I do recommend this book although it is coming of age and the characters are between 17 and 18 there is nothing sexual nor explicit that the younger audience between 13/16 cannot enjoy. I do recommend it!

SPOILER SECTION

Although the story is realistic still I’ve struggled to buy into Eliza’s behavior and how unbothered her parents were with her mental health issues. I am sure there are parents out there who are oblivious to what their child/children is/are going through, however, when Eliza was constantly on her computer, had no real friends, dressed in old clothes, and did not get out of the house, one would expect the parents in this situation to be portrayed as people who take the matter in their hands and speak to her, as this is not normal behaviour regardless of one’s age and take her to therapy at least.

However, they were shown as completely unaware and did not take any initiative and this did not sit well with me. When they found out she had a boy she was meeting the first thing her mother did was book her a gynecology appointment so she could get examined and have pills prescribed…uh.. I’m still confused by this one… I mean ok, that is cool I guess but what?

Anywho, these were my major issues the rest as mentioned was done very well and I even created art with my favourite quote from the book, which I hope you will enjoy.

^{_{this art was created by me on Procreate}}