DNF @ 25%

The idea of this book intrigued me but I don’t think the writing style was for me. I don’t think it is a bad book by any means, but I was struggling to remain engaged and I didn’t have much motivation to continue. I also don’t read much magical realism so perhaps that genre is also not for me.

I think that if you are a fan of YA magical realism and/or have read Jandy Nelson’s writing before and have enjoyed it, then it is very possible you will love this book. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my cup of tea.

This book took me three tries and five months to get into. The first quarter to a third of the book was really hard to slog through, and there was so much going on throughout the entire 500+ page book, it felt like this needed to be multiple books. I was confused about the characters, the plotline, and the timeline, and I felt it was so weird to have the first person narrations of an adult, teens, and a kid. What audience is this intended for? Adults would be the only ones I know who would persevere until the end, but adults might not want to read a book as told by a 12 year old. Additionally, there are some mature themes and language so this wouldn’t be appropriate for a younger teen. My favorite part of the book was when I realized the kids’ names were jazz trumpeter greats (Dizzy, Miles, Wynton), but that is all. I felt zero emotional connection to anything in the story, and if I hadn’t been given the e-arc by NetGalley (thank you NetGalley), this definitely would have been a DNF for me.

Not to give Miss Jandy Nelson a 3.5 stars but, this just did not hit in the way I think I was expecting it to and maybe I should have tapered my expectations going in (despite the fact that 3.5 stars is definitely still a good rating). While I still adored Nelson's writing as much as I did when I had read I'll Give You the Sun, I feel like this one did not hit as much. The novel had the family saga aspects that I usually love and make no mistake, were still weaved into this plot very well and I loved learning about the Fall family history. The way the sort of Cain and Abel curse gets embedded into the family was interesting and how the curse ends was lovely. But I also think this is where my main critique also lies. The telling of the Fall family history resides in Cassidy's character and her telling of the events. While her backstory was interesting, it starts in the middle of the novel and feels as though it comes out of nowhere and has no real place until the end. Which also, [can we talk about the weird explained away incest plot between cousins-technically-not-cousins??? (hide spoiler)] I still think it's a worthwhile read because it did make me cry at points and does have emotional moments, but I could not get over the overall pacing to fully immerse myself.

When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson is a multigenerational story exploring family bonds, secrets, and the search for belonging. Through themes of parental abandonment, hidden truths, and unconditional love, the narrative weaves together intense, heartbreaking, and heartwarming moments. Told partly through letters from the past, the story highlights how family can extend beyond blood ties, encompassing friendships and love. The complex, authentic characters bring this emotionally rich tale to life, showcasing the impact of abandonment and the joy of finding a true sense of home.

This was my first read from Jandy Nelson, and it has me wanting to read I’ll Give You the Sun. I loved Jandy Nelson’s vivid writing style, but the multiple storylines within this one didn’t always seem to connect and left me distracted. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me right now. The reviews are generally favorable causing me to question my interpretation. Admittedly, I read this during the chaos that was Hurricane Helene, so I may revisit it at another time.

Recommended to readers who love:
📚Family dramas
📚Magical realism
📚quirky characters

Thanks to Penguin Young Reader’s Group for an advanced reader’s copy.

I was so happy to learn of a new Jandy Nelson novel. I loved I'll Give You The Sun as a pick for 8th graders and high schoolers who love realistic fiction. And this new world of characters does not disappoint! It is a complex, multi-generational story about family secrets and the universal quest to claim one's own unique identity. There are two main stories woven together – that of the complicated Fall family and that of Cassidy and her nomadic hippie mom, Marigold. I loved getting to know each of these characters, and so many more, that each brings out the core themes of hope and resilience no matter what life throws at you. Fans of realistic fiction with romance, drama, and a big of magic will love this YA story.

Nelson’s prose is lush and lyrical, bringing the vineyard setting alive with sensory detail. Readers can almost taste the grapes, feel the heat of the sun, and hear the crackle of distant wildfires. The author’s ability to balance magical realism with grounded emotional truths gives the novel a unique, dreamlike quality.

At its core, When the World Tips Over is about love in all its forms—romantic, familial, and self-love. Nelson’s exploration of these themes is both poignant and uplifting, making this novel a rich, emotional tapestry. It’s a story that lingers, sparking reflection on the bonds that hold us together even in the face of loss and change.

This book was all about the characters for me. They were all great and had distinctive voices. Dizzy was my favorite from the start. I liked how the story felt both magical and familiar. It was a long but not too long book. The story just sort of flowed along nicely.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Ill give you the sun is my favorite young adult novel so I had incredibly high hopes for this book which I think ultimately made my standards too high. It was beautifully written and very compelling but at times I felt like the plot was a bit over wrought. Still absolutely worth the read and very exciting to have a new Jandy Nelson book in the world.

Thank you for providing this galley. I was very excited to receive and review it!

I didn't, however, as i was very disappointed in it and didn't finish. It's why I won't publish a review:
- The themes, characters, tone felt too similar to her previous books
- It felt despressing to read, didn't want to come back to read it
- Her observations of human behavior, I usually love, felt done already
- Nothing felt new or fresh
- It was too long and sprawling, the plot felt all over the place. I felt like she needed to be edited better. The novel, if it lost a hundred pages or so, could have been more compelling

I hope she'll cover some new themes/break out of "sameness" for her next novel. If so, I'll definitely read!

Life has a funny way with connections. Sometimes you wonder why and how so much is taking place and then suddenly you realize how each thing is somehow connected to the others. That is the beauty of this book.
In a quaint town called Paradise Falls, the Fall family are living their lives, connected because they’re a family but mostly disjointed. Mom, Bernadette, is a chef and owner of a bistro; 19 year old Wynton is a violinist virtuous who’s a screw up in the rest of his life; 17 year old Miles is perfect, 12 year old Dizzy is optimistic and imaginative; and Uncle Clive is an alcoholic. And then there’s the rainbows haired girl who might be an angel or a saint or just an ordinary girl, but whatever she is, she might be the key to put this family back together.
Jandy Nelson has written a beautiful teen novel filled with worries and problems most kids have. In addition to that though, she also adds a bit of magic, a bit of synesthesia, and a whole lot of love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an advanced copy of this. I’m sorry it took me so long to get to. When the World Tips over hit the shelves on September 24th.

This was such a delightful, engrossing and beautiful read.

The story is told from multiple view points which initially feel almost overwhelmingly disparate but come together in a beautiful symphony as the connections between the characters unfold. I loved the epic, multigenerational reach of the narrative, and the almost fairytale quality of the early story.

The characters were rich and intriguing with unique perspectives and experiences. The prose had a lyrical, poetic quality and I really enjoyed getting lost in this story. It’s the first book I have read by Jandy Nelson, and I look forward to picking up their others.

Thank you Penguin Group for an early copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

when the world tips over by jandy nelson is a captivating, thought-provoking novel that blends romance, family dynamics, and the search for identity. the story follows its protagonist as they navigate complex relationships, personal growth, and the challenges of being caught between different worlds. nelson’s writing is poetic and filled with emotional nuance, capturing the delicate balance between longing and self-discovery. while the book touches on heavy themes, it does so with a sense of tenderness, allowing the reader to connect deeply with the characters' journeys. it's a beautifully written exploration of love, loss, and finding your place in a changing world.

3.5 rounded to 4

A hard book to review. While I adored Jandy Nelson's writing, and the warm-hearted generosity that shines through the magic, this book seemed too long, and a bit like a kaleidoscope that never quite comes together. The entire middle section seemed almost incoherent, breathlessly at high pitch At! All! Times! with all the superlatives, and very wordy for a story about a family that never talks to one another, then (like a Victorian novel) suddenly spills everything around the possible death bed of a character.

Everything comes up roses so easily, but not always believably; I especially disliked how Lizard's cruel betrayal of Dizzy is just swept under the rug because of sexual attraction.

I am more or less 0/3 with this author so I think I am done. I know everyone says the writing style is beautiful but this felt like such a chore for me to get through. I didn’t enjoy it at all, although I can see how some might. Not for me.

I loved this so much. I have been waiting for this book to be released for so long and I am so happy that it is finally out and I was able to finally read it. I'll Give You the Sun was my favorite book for many many years and this book had all the same elements and I loved it for all the same reasons I fell in love with I'll Give You the Sun the first time I read it. I loved every one of the Fall siblings and each of their unique love stories and unique lives. I loved the confusing and messy family dynamic that is in place up until the very end where everything falls into place like puzzle pieces. This book was such a joy to read, each character was so fun and so interesting in their own way I couldn't pick a favorite. My one small complaint about this book is that it is kind of long. I loved every second of it and since I did most of my reading with the audiobook it was easy to fall into the story and it didn't feel too long to me at all but I could see how some of the long chapters about their family history could tend to drag at times if you weren't 100% locked in. I loved all the tie ins from their family history and their mother's diary and the newspaper articles etc. Every single detail of this book felt like it was crafted with such care, no element was overlooked. I wish we were able to spend a little more time with Wynton when he was awake just because I would have loved to be able to dive as deep into his past and his personality like we did with the other siblings but I also liked all the symbolism of him being the one stuck in a coma and I did like to get the short chapters from his perspective when he was still slightly lucid listening to Cassidy and his family. I loved each of the definitely magical elements and maybe not magical elements and how it all kind of blends together because the story is better when it's not strictly fiction and who really cares if it's believable or not. My favorite moment was definitely when Miles told Felix that Sandro talks in his head. I loved the use of the title in the book "I do believe now that when the world tips over, joy spills out with all the sorrow. But you have to look for it." And my favorite quote was "Felix was now half smiling at Miles, and it was making Miles's neck hot and his thoughts hotter. Per usual. He wanted to blurt out, 'I fucking love you,' but instead said, 'What?'" Because it felt so reminiscent of one of my favorite lines in I'll Give You the Sun. I still think that overall I like I'll Give You the Sun more than this one but I'd have to do a re-read to be sure. I definitely liked this one more than The Sky is Everywhere. Overall, this healed my inner child in a way because this new and completely perfect Jandy Nelson book written with all the same elements of I'll Give You the Sun finally being published just makes the world feel whole.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book is unlike anything I've read. A winding, epic, multi-generational, modern fairytale. The writing is beautiful. The characters are fully developed and unique. The story has grief, love, trauma, family, abandonment, star-crossed love, and betrayal. I enjoyed this overall, though at almost 600 pages there are some repetitive points and times where I found myself wanting the story to get on with it. But overall I am very glad I read this, and I'm sure Cassidy, Theo, Wynton, Miles, Dizzy, and Sandro will stay with me for years to come.

Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this book. This was portrayed to be light magical realism and wound up being very dark and centered around intergenerational abuse and trauma, infidelity, murder and a dog that could not possibly exist. Also, the timeline is off. If the dad was a war baby, he would be pushing 80 about now. Not what I expected.

This is now one of my fav reads of 2024 and I keep reccomending it to people i meet and I adored the prose, the characthers and very much think this is a great addition to the authors already outstanding list

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the ARC (that is out now!).

I adored this book! Jandy Nelson has a knack for writing novels that I feel in my bones. The way the story weaved together, along with the changes in POVs, made for an engaging story.