Solitaire Hardcover – May 2, 2023

“Solitaire” by Alice Oseman is a young adult novel that was the author’s first published work & the start of her Osemanverse. This is where Nick & Charlie (of Heartstopper) appeared as secondary characters, already firmly in a relationship together. Yet the book stars Charlie’s sister, Tori Spring, who is going through her own mental health crisis while also dealing with an online anonymous group targeting her school with a variety of pranks that escalate dramatically during the course of the novel.Some somewhat random thoughts I had whilst reading:I don’t typically love books with a protagonist that doesn’t like to read… but Tori likes films & is deeply funny in a self-deprecating & needs-mental-health help way that I can deeply sympathize with. She’s one of my favorite minor characters in “Heartstopper” & I think I love her even more. This book has massive spoilers for anyone who hasn’t read the comics but was written before the comics. Nick & Charlie appeared hear first, & I very much understand why they became stars of their own series (& novellas). This book takes part during a time slip & between scenes of volume 4 of the comic.This comic is distinctly not for everyone & is massively different in tone from “Heartstopper,” but if you are more interested in some of the deeper / darker aspects of volumes 3 & 4 of the comic (or are interested in Tori as a character), I’d recommend this book. Just… there are some serious trigger warnings that Oseman has detailed thoroughly on her website & the book itself.For a book that is about a straight (maybe? she mentions being straight until proven otherwise 😻) protagonist, the books is still very queer in its cast.The books also makes me wish I had been able to attend a (mostly) all-girls school, even though I’d have been deeply traumatized by an all-boys school (probably).I’m truly thirsty for diet lemonade while reading this book. If you know, you know, but Tori isn’t drinking tea in the series. 😹Even though Tori Spring dislikes books (& “Pride & Prejudice” / Jane Austen specifically) she loves snow. & I can’t think poorly of anyone who dislikes snow (& rain).The book is dark, has a protagonist not everyone will like, but it is definitely recommended for anyone who likes the Heartstopper series & wants some more mature thematic content. The novel itself does show some aspects of Oseman’s early work & isn’t as superbly crafted as later content, but I enjoyed it for what it was. The book felt very cathartic. It also kept me guessing plot wise as it’s similar in some aspects to a detective story / mystery. The last third of the book hats quite intense, & I had no idea it would go where it did.Will probably read again. Love the new hardback cover illustration. I hope someday Oseman touches on some of the side characters in this book, as this was a very Tori Spring & Michael Holden centered book that left me wishing for more from secondary characters (Evelyn, Rita, Lauren, & especially Becky, Lucas, & Ben). 💜

One of the most wonderful books. I could not put this down, and when I did, it was playing in my headphones. Read this at work, at the gym, during class, whenever I could keep my eyes open.

A requested gift for my Daughter. She loves these books!

The media could not be loaded. Spine came a bit damaged which I dont mind too much since it was expected that it would be a bit damaged when I ordered a paperback book online. In addition, 2 of the pages were folded while being put in the book so they can't be fixed. I have not read the book yet but I will update after reading it. Overall it came in good condition minus the minimal spine damage. UPDATE: Be VERY careful when handling the book and where you put it. I put my book in the pouch in one of the seat in my car, there was nothing else in it, and the coating on the title chipped ( the stuff that makes it darker and shinier. I recommend that you avoid putting it somewhere that might scratch the cover.

Daughter loves it. She re read it 3 times.

Solitaire has made the list as one of my favorite books of 2016. The characters are realistic and honest. Tori, Michel, Charlie, Nick, Becky, and Lucas are all characters who are flawed and brilliant. The main character Tori is relatable from the music she listens to and the movies she watched. Another thing I wanted to mention is the way mental illness is portrayed when it comes to Charlie, Tori's brother as well as Tori herself. Charlie suffers from anxiety and anorexia prior to the beginning of the book. By the time, the book starts he has it under more control. Tori, on the other hand suffers from depression throughout the entire book. The only people who notice is are Michel and Charlie. What I loved about this aspect of the book was that it wasn't something that just went away as soon as the girl met the guy that in common in books that deal with mental illness. This was not the case. For one thing, Tori's depression doesn't go away. She deals with it constantly, she has good days and she has bad days. It is an honest portrayal. I loved the friendship between Tori and Michel, and I was happy that this book has no romance in it. These were two characters who had formed a strong bond because they were two lonely people who were both angry at the world. One of my favorite scenes is when Michel and Tori are watching Beauty and The Beast at a party. It's a sweet scene because it's the first time that Michel is vulnerable around Tori. Charlie and Nick were great together. I loved their relationship, it was sweet. I loved this book and I can't wait to pick up Alice Oseman's second book, Radio Silence. I would recommend this book for fans of John Green, Perks of Being a Wallflower, and The Catcher in The Rye.

I can not express how much I loved this book! It is well written, suspenseful and incredibly relatable! It's just brilliant my new favorite book!

Bought for my niece for Xmas, she liked it.