Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Fearful for her sanity and grieved by her father's crimes, 16-year-old physics nerd Aysel has decided the only way to combat the black slug inside her that eats any possible happiness is to kill herself. But she doesn't trust herself to do it, so she uses a website to find a suicide partner who will make the journey with her. She hasn't counted, however, on that partner being good-looking Roman, who battles guilt over his sister's death. He insists that Aysel must not be a flake, that they must carry through no matter what. Ironically, spending time planning their deaths with Roman makes Aysel change her mind. But Roman has fewer misgivings and more anguish, and Aysel must decide if she wants to honor his wishes. Warga's immensely readable first novel somehow accomplishes the impossible she addresses a vital topic without being preachy, creating characters that are lovable in spite of significant flaws. At times poignant, bitter, and funny, this narrative captures Aysel's unique voice that questions what it means to die and to live.--Moore, Melissa Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Debut novelist Warga addresses adolescent depression and suicide with honesty and grace in this story of a scientific-minded Turkish-American 16-year-old who is preparing to end her life. Those in Langston, Ky., who don't know Aysel Seran have likely heard of her father, who "slashed the Olympic dreams of the whole town" by murdering its most talented young athlete. Since her father's incarceration, Aysel has been terrified that she inherited the gene that will make her a violent "monster" like him. Death seems like her only escape, but she doesn't want to die alone. Thus she makes a suicide pact with Roman, a teen she finds on a website for those considering suicide. When they meet, Roman's good looks and compassion are unexpected distractions; the more Aysel comes to understand Roman's talents, desires, and regrets, the less certain she is that they are making the right decision. Through an eloquent first-person narrative, Warga crystallizes the significant turning points in Aysel's attitudes and emotions, and celebrates the sparks of hope combatting the dark thoughts that threaten to destroy her. Ages 14-up. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-Aysel Seran suffers from severe depression and is haunted by and ostracized on account of an act of violence that her father committed three years ago. She and the "black slug" inside her are convinced that suicide is her best and most sensible option. Although she doesn't interact much with other people, concern about her latent self-preservation instincts leads her to partner up with Roman, another suicidal teen from the next town over. As they plan their suicide pact, however, her doubts begin to increase. Warga's debut, written (according to the author's note) after the loss of a close friend, often feels heavy-handed, especially when using physics (Aysel's a nerd and Warga has worked as a science teacher) as an emotional metaphor. Overall, the book addresses serious issues with complexity and humor, and allows the overlapping situational and chemical causes of the characters' depression and isolation to coexist in a very real and murky way. Aysel is a tough but likable character, at once jaded and appealingly naive. She's also Turkish, a daughter of immigrants in a largely white, small Kentucky town, a circumstance that the author presents without making it the focus of the narrative. The other characters are less developed, even Roman, who falls a little flat, but all are thoughtfully presented. A list of suicide and depression resources are appended.-Katya Schapiro, Brooklyn Public Library (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Sixteen-year-old Aysel has decided to kill herself. Ever since her mentally ill father committed a horrible crime three years ago, she can't escape the "black slug of depression." Not trusting herself to follow through, she connects with a "Suicide Partner" on an online forum. Roman is seventeen, lives in a nearby Kentucky town, and is adamant that they die in less than a month (chapters count down: "26 days left"). At first Aysel is on board with the deadline, but as she and Roman spend more time together, she reconsiders, acknowledging that she wants a future -- and that Roman is "no longer the person I want to die with; he's the person I want to be alive with." It's a relief that Aysel -- who's likable even in the depths of her depression, with a sharp sense of humor and a passion for physics -- changes her mind; readers will worry that Roman, overcome with guilt after a tragic accident, won't do the same. Debut author Warga unflinchingly tackles the grim subject matter with empathy, sensitivity, and honesty, without trivializing her protagonists' disturbing thoughts or emotions. At the same time, it's clear that both Aysel and Roman have much to live for: not least a "cheesy as hell" (in Aysel's words) yet utterly endearing romance. An author's note urging readers with suicidal thoughts to seek help and a list of suicide prevention hotlines and websites are appended. rachel l. smith (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two teenagers make a suicide pact in this poignant, first-person debut.Sixteen-year-old Aysel's life "can be neatly divided into two sections: before my father made the nightly news and after." Since her mentally ill father murdered a local boy with Olympic hopes, Aysel feels as though her only escape from the public shame is suicide. She also worries that her father's madness is genetic and exists inside her as well. Through a website that matches suicide partners, Aysel meets Roman, a kind, attractive, athletic boy who feels responsible for the drowning death of his little sister. Even though Aysel harbors a passion for science and Roman a love of basketball, they are determined not to let each other "flake out." Together they begin enacting a fake relationship designed to lull Roman's overprotective mother into allowing Roman more freedom so they can carry out their fatal plan. But when Aysel begins falling in love with Roman for real, she knows she can no longer follow through on their pact. Can she convince Roman that his life is worth living before it's too late? Any teen who's ever felt like an outsider will be able to relate to Aysel's and Roman's fully realized characters. The countdown at the beginning of each chapter to the couple's death date (the same day Roman's sister died) will help propel readers forward to a hopeful if not entirely unexpected ending. Earnest and heartfelt. (author's note, resources) (Fiction. 13-17) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
