Heartwrenchingly Human
Esther Solar believes that her family is cursed to die from their “Great” fears thus she tries to conquer her own list of small fears in order to avoid a big one. Enlisting the help of her former crush/her former “mugger” she gives herself fifty weeks to accomplish her task.
To me the story isn’t about the list though or even Esther herself. It’s about the fragile bonds of family and friends and the sheer complexity of love and human nature. Esther’s family is close to irreparable and her love interest’s is bear the same condition. Esther’s parents love her but that love is hidden by their fears and phobias. They come through when their needed most though.
I often don’t appreciate my parents enough. Esther doesn’t either. She’s longing for a movie style life complete with affectionate parents and less craziness. She longs for it so much that she can’t see what’s there with her. All families have cracks glossed over with paint.
Her true fear (in my opinion) is a fear of love, of letting people in incase she gets hurt. Love is so beautiful because it is fragile and irreplaceable. If we want love we have to take it with both hands; the good parts and the bad. Like a famous ShadowHunter said,” It’s better to have loved and have lost than to have never loved at all.
What I loved most about the book was that it didn’t end with they all lived happily ever after. The book ends with infinite possibilities. Sutherland even infused a bit of magic so who knows where that could lead. It was such a bittersweet read but that’s life. Life is like a bag of Harry Potter’s Bertie Botts; you’ll never know what you’ll get. Is it worth it?
Eugene (her twin) explored this and so did Jonah (love interest) explored this; Is there something worth hanging onto. I believe that there is because (like Murder on the Orient Express) one death affects so many people and life is worth it. Choosing wether you need to leave your abusive dad is a different matter. Sometimes you might leave behind loved ones but you owe it to yourself to make your life better and perhaps you’ll help them in the long run,
Mental health is a big issue. It creeps up on you and you might not realise until it’s too late; you might not realise then. Esther didn’t realise her own struggles or that of her brother’s until quite late. Sometimes you might notice but you don’t want to believe it.
I’m sorry for rambling as this is my first review.
YOU SHOULD NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
To me the story isn’t about the list though or even Esther herself. It’s about the fragile bonds of family and friends and the sheer complexity of love and human nature. Esther’s family is close to irreparable and her love interest’s is bear the same condition. Esther’s parents love her but that love is hidden by their fears and phobias. They come through when their needed most though.
I often don’t appreciate my parents enough. Esther doesn’t either. She’s longing for a movie style life complete with affectionate parents and less craziness. She longs for it so much that she can’t see what’s there with her. All families have cracks glossed over with paint.
Her true fear (in my opinion) is a fear of love, of letting people in incase she gets hurt. Love is so beautiful because it is fragile and irreplaceable. If we want love we have to take it with both hands; the good parts and the bad. Like a famous ShadowHunter said,” It’s better to have loved and have lost than to have never loved at all.
What I loved most about the book was that it didn’t end with they all lived happily ever after. The book ends with infinite possibilities. Sutherland even infused a bit of magic so who knows where that could lead. It was such a bittersweet read but that’s life. Life is like a bag of Harry Potter’s Bertie Botts; you’ll never know what you’ll get. Is it worth it?
Eugene (her twin) explored this and so did Jonah (love interest) explored this; Is there something worth hanging onto. I believe that there is because (like Murder on the Orient Express) one death affects so many people and life is worth it. Choosing wether you need to leave your abusive dad is a different matter. Sometimes you might leave behind loved ones but you owe it to yourself to make your life better and perhaps you’ll help them in the long run,
Mental health is a big issue. It creeps up on you and you might not realise until it’s too late; you might not realise then. Esther didn’t realise her own struggles or that of her brother’s until quite late. Sometimes you might notice but you don’t want to believe it.
I’m sorry for rambling as this is my first review.
YOU SHOULD NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP