I picked up this book after reading the Heartstopper graphic novels and having a curiosity for the other members of Charlie’s family. This book starts during/after the events of Heartstopper Volume 4, and stars Charlie’s older and only sister Tori, a self described pessimist who just doesn’t seem to care about anything anymore. She seems disinterested in the world and even disinterested in her own narration, feeding us readers the breadcrumbs of her life in disjointed fragments but without the organization a personal diary provides. She mentions she used to blog her thoughts but she stopped . And she doesn’t know why but for awhile now she’s been feeling this void in her. Enter the next turbulent 41 chapters of her life

I really enjoyed this book for the way they handled Tori’s arc. Depression is portrayed accurately as the complex 3d piece it is. She is depressed, yes but she still is a person with feelings that deep down craves  purpose to her life. She’s self aware that she is antisocial and can be a killjoy with her demeanor but she also wants to be the person that can socialize and enjoy life like other people . She is paralyzed in her world but also spiraling at the same time. She feels nothing matters and at the same time everything matters possibly more than her.  Even better, Michael’s character also did Depression justice. He also funnily enough gave ManicPixieDreamBoy vibes which makes sense as you read the novel further 


I was a little conflicted with Tori’s character because she isn’t necessarily an easy character to love but in the end I found myself proud of her growth and I enjoyed this journey. 




Slight spoiler :

Side note: Lucas’s character is pathetic. I was half surprised that he turned out to be Solitaire only because his reasoning was just sooo weak? Idk he comes across as an awkward shy romantic and not a sneaky anarchist. Becky is badass though