four stars because the beginning of this book is a bit abrupt for my tastes and it takes a while to really get going. based on other reviews, i’m not the only one who felt like the plot was hard to keep up with at the start—but once you get the hang of this book it’s impossible to put down. i also felt like the humor was a bit iffy at times, though i generally loved gideon’s personality and it was a delight to view the world through her eyes.

the yearning… the tension… the gut-wrenching, soul-consuming heartbreak… there really is nothing quite like the feeling you get after finishing a book that hollowed you out and put you back together again.

the following quotes are directly responsible for the insanity i’m experiencing right now:

”That’s all it takes, Griddle? That’s all you demand?”
“That’s all I ever demanded.”

”Life is a tragedy. Left behind by those who pass away, not able to change anything at all. It’s the total lack of control…”

”Strike me down. You’ve won. I’ve lived my whole wretched life at your mercy, yours alone, and God knows I deserve to die at your hand. You are my only friend. I am undone without you.”

”I will never ask anything of you, ever again, if you just give me back the life of Gideon Nav.”