This story explores the messiness of family dynamics and how that shapes these characters. It is an odd journey that I feel will stick with me.

I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN is one of my all-time favorites and I waited nearly 10 years for Jandy Nelson's follow-up. And here it is! And… my feelings are a little mixed. WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER is still better than most books, but there's one major caveat.

Dripping in whimsy and magical realism, the novel tells the story of the three Fall siblings— Wynton, Miles, and Dizzy— and Cassidy, the newcomer who turns their life upside down. Wynton, a self-destructive wreck with rare, powerful musical talent. Miles, the “perfect” son with a secret ripping through his soul. Dizzy, an awkward preteen outcast trying to manage her life after losing her best friend to middle school politics. Their mother has tenuously held the family together since their father skipped town and disappeared just before Dizzy's birth, but when rainbow-haired Cassidy finds her way to their seemingly enchanted town, everything starts to break open.

Jandy Nelson is a five-star writer. Dreamy, lyrical, and mesmerizing. I love the storytelling's BIG FISH energy and I got sucked in by the characters and narrative so quickly! Several moments tie back to the strange magical energy of the town without going full fantasy: For instance, Dizzy can see spirits in the vineyard behind their home and Miles <i>really understands</i> dogs. There's also a lot of generational backstory-turned-folklore slowly dispersed. In a lesser writer's hands, these elements would feel cringey (okay, sometimes they still do feel a bit odd in the moment,) but Jandy's storytelling integrates those odds and ends very well.

I love the slow burn storytelling and careful unfolding of every element. I didn't always love all the characters, but their flaws are what made the story and I appreciated them all (though I feel like Jandy went a little too hard with Wynton. I sometimes found him exhausting.) And I DID love some characters, particularly Miles and Felix. The ending was a bit too sudden for my tastes given all the buildup, but it was satisfying all the same and I know I'll remember and think about this book for a long time.

BUT it has a fatal flaw: Major moments where the characters go "It’s okay! It's not weird!" regarding a certain reveal. And... yes, it is. A novel shouldn't have to work so hard to convince me that something is safe and acceptable. It's, I daresay, a little uncomfortable. It feels squicky despite some technicalities and I can't get my head around it, so I have to lower the rating accordingly. Yes, I *am* being the most vague I can possibly be.

Here's hoping the wait for the next Jandy novel is less than 10 years! Fingers crossed!

I dint think I could do this book justice in describing it. It was magical and colorful and full of family secrets and longing. I think it should be read by just diving in without reading summary or reviews.

My brain is a jumble of thoughts as I write this because I want to express to you how wonderful Jandy Nelson’s When the World Tips Over is; how delighted it made me feel; how I never wanted to put it down and yet wanted to put it down so that I could lengthen a journey that I was savoring so very much. I don’t think I have ever experienced these sensations with a novel of 528 pages–the kind where you lose track of how many pages are in front of you or behind you, as you you merge into the deliciously enchanted reading realm.

Dizzy Fall is different. For her, scents equal colors. And she sees ghosts around the family’s property, mute ghosts who never tell her their story. Because she is different (and so extraordinary), she’s bullied at school which almost results in tragedy, but she’s saved by a rainbow-haired angel who disappears. But then the angel visits her brother, Perfect Miles and neighbor dog, Sandro. Perfect Miles, who really isn’t perfect and who knows that the truth of just how imperfect he is is about to be known shortly, finds his gloomy feelings replaced by hope after talking to the rainbow-haired girl. And then on what might become the very worst night, the angel interacts with their older brother, Wynton. Maybe the rainbow-haired girl holds the key to everything or maybe she’s just an integral part of a larger story.

Stories within stories woven like fairytales blending reality with seeming mythical elements. Jandy Nelson has done something extraordinary here. Her words are magic dust across pages. Truths burgeon, forming a book that dispenses quotable (but not trite) quotes every few pages. Character’s stories entwine to show inevitable interconnectedness. A rainbow of human emotions surge over pages. Is repeating history a curse or inescapable unless something is learned?

If only time stopped here. If only.
If only we could have joys without sorrows, blessings without curses.

If there is one thing I’d disagree with, it’s that When the World Tips Over has been placed in the YA category, which might cause some readers to have different expectations or, worse, to not read it at all. The focus might be on the younger characters but the themes are all-encompassing, the writing so smart that it transcends genre-categorization–in my opinion (which is obviously what this whole review is, haha, but I hope it becomes yours 😉 ).

And lastly, Jandy Nelson does what we all wish we could do: find a way for a dog to live forever. 💖🐶

Highly recommended.

Thank you to Dial Books for sending me a copy.

5*

Oh, my! It was worth the 10-year wait since the publication of my all-time favorite young adult book, I’ll Give You the Sun, to finally read Jandy Nelson’s new book, When the World Tips Over. Other than excellent writing, I had no idea what to expect and never could have anticipated this tear-inducing, heartbreaking, romantic, redemptive family saga full of magical realism, sibling rivalry, and fanciful storytelling. Like its predecessor, a central theme is the way children cope with the loss of a parent, whether through death, abandonment or mental illness. It’s also vaguely reminiscent of Esquival’s Like Water for Chocolate minus the overwhelming tragedy. That’s not to say that this story is a happy one.

In its 500+ pages, there’s plenty of space for Nelson to weave a tale that gives sufficient attention to all of the characters and their lives, both separate from each other and in the ways they intermingle. She successfully juggles the various timelines and multiple POVs; handles multiple traumatic, potentially triggering events with sensitivity; describes the impact her characters’ bad decisions have on people around them while still not seeming to judge them harshly; introduces ghosts and curses without them seeming fantastical; and paves the way for a very dysfunctional family to come together and begin to heal following a near-tragedy. I found the idea of nature vs. nurture very interesting, especially how genetics can have a profound impact on someone’s life in both positive and negatives ways (whether it’s synesthesia, sexual orientation, musical talent, etc.), and appreciated how Nelson handled queer characters and their navigation of their sexuality and gender identity in the face of adversity. The exploration of love in all its forms (e.g., familial, platonic, romantic) is a thread that runs throughout the story, and is a potent motivator for many characters.

There are so many emotional highs and lows in this story. I actually cried in the first chapter and several other times throughout, but there was never a feeling of hopelessness. Of course, I also thought how much this family (especially the children) could benefit from therapy. Having a dog you can talk with telepathically is not a healthy coping mechanism! A quote near the end, which references the title, pretty much sums it up: “I do believe now that when the world tips over, joy spills out with all the sorrow.”

Although this is billed as a young adult novel, I want to emphasize that the number of triggers is very high, so this would be most appropriate for older teens, young adults and adults. It’s an unforgettable story that deserves all the awards and accolades I suspect it will receive. Highly recommended!

This book was very interesting. I liked the whimsical nature but found it pretty dark at times. For a YA novel, I don’t think I was expecting some of the themes this book touched on. I liked how this book was essentially a family saga, and had engaging intertwining stories. However, I did feel it was a tad too long and I got lost with so many characters. Overall this was okay. I think it wrapped up nicely but still felt a little long and just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Set in the sun-soaked vineyards of Northern California. The story revolves around Dizzy, Miles, and Wynton Fall, three siblings dealing with the aftermath of their father's mysterious disappearance.

The arrival of a rainbow-haired girl turns their world upside down, adding a touch of magic and mystery that pulls the siblings further into their own tangled stories. This book dives deep into themes of family, love, and the legacies that shape us, all while blending humor and heartache in a way that feels utterly real.

The writing is lush and enchanting. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. If you’re looking for a story that balances joy and sorrow with a sprinkle of magic, this one’s a must-read. I know it will stick with me for a while!

Thank you so much netgalley and the publisher for this arc

I'm a big fan of Jandy Nelson's previous books, so I was glad to get my hands on this advanced copy! With her trademark style, Nelson spins an impressive family saga spanning generations. I think some of the final reveals didn't quite emotionally hit for me, but that might just be a personal thing. I would overall recommend this, as always, for her specific blend of whimsy, comedy, and raw honesty.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Magical realism mixed with family drama mixed with romance mixed with a lot of heart. WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER is messy and fun and yes, a little all over the place, but it's heartwarming and beautiful and doesn't shy from the best and worst parts about humanity. Our capacity for love, our capacity for hate, how betrayal and loyalty can tip too far over the edge, how it feels to hate everything and love everything all at once.

WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER follows the Fall siblings who live in Paradise on a winery passed down from their great-grandfather, and, eventually, vagabond Cassidy who grew up in a RV with her flower-child mother. Each character is so unique and wonderful-- from Dizzy, the youngest, with her ability to see ghosts and endless fountain of hope, to the middle brother, Perfect Miles, who isn't so perfect after all, and their hot-mess-express oldest brother Wynton who cries when he plays the violin but can't seem to stop himself on the path to self destruction.

This book was magical in every sense of the word; I loved everything about it.

When the World Tips Over was a great story with characters that are so well developed by the author, it's hard not to want to keep reading and see what happens. I thouroughly enjoyed the book and want to say thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For ten years, I have been waiting for Jandy Nelson to write another book. Her previous, I’ll Give You the Sun, is one of my favorite books of all time. When the World Tips Over was well worth the wait. The multigenerational story provides so much depth for each present-day character’s individual and familial struggles. The cycles that kept repeating throughout their family members felt very relatable. I was most drawn to the relationships between Cassidy/Marigold and Theo/Clive/Bernadette. I could not get enough of them. I found myself not being able to read this book fast enough but also wanting their stories to last forever. I also enjoyed all of the magical realism that was sprinkled throughout the book. It lent a certain air of mystery and intrigue to each storyline that I appreciated. I will happily wait ten more years for another book from Nelson, but I hope I don’t have to.

Tremendous thanks to author Jandy Nelson, publisher Dial Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of When the World Tips Over in exchange for my review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

When The World Tips Over follows the Fall siblings, whose lives are changed with the mysterious appearance of a rainbow-haired girl.

Jandy Nelson has a remarkable knack for character, and the Fall siblings are no exception. I'm a firm believer that any book with rich and round characters is automatically a Really Solid Read, and When the World Tips Over is absolutely a really solid read. Miles, Dizzy, and Wynton were a fantastic trio, each worth rooting for in their own ways, and with arcs that informed and were changed by the arcs of the others. All the supporting characters, too, felt beautifully vibrant and fully realized. If there's any one standout element in this book, it's the characters by a wide margin.

The plot and writing were also solid. I do think things began a bit slowly, and this is a hefty, lengthy read, but the journey these characters are brought on is ultimately engaging, heartwarming, inspiring, and all other manner of good-feelings-y. I do think that there were a couple loose-ish ends for some of our characters that left me feeling a tad unsatisfied, but ultimately I think this is a worthy follow up read for readers who connected deeply with I'll Give You The Sun.

I waited years for a new Jandy Nelson book, and I can’t describe how happy I was to read the Fall family’s story. I’m giving this book five stars because no one writes like Jandy Nelson. It’s beautiful, heartbreaking, goofy, greatness wrapped in a magical realism package. The main characters are young, but this is a book for all ages because the topics can be heavy. These characters are real and flawed and endearing, and there’s a moment you might hate each of them, but also a moment where you will feel pure love. Cassidy will break your heart, and Felix will make you laugh, but Dizzy, Miles, and Wynton will completely enthrall you.

This isn’t a perfect book - how many of those actual exist?? I had some issues with literally every adult character, but Jandy Nelson’s writing is just magic, and my rading experience was too.

WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER is a beautifully written and expansive stories that covers generations, timelines, perspectives, and even worlds. Jandy Nelson is a truly mesmerizing writer and has such a way with words and descriptors. This story was richly detailed and emotional, with highs and lows thay cascaded throughout.

The length was intimidating, as the story did get a bit extraneously detailed at times with all the wandering tendrils of thought and writing dispersed throughout. It would have been a better book with a few areas tightened up so the story flowed better. That said, I’ve been a longtime Jandy Nelson fan and will continue to read all she writes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Books for the opportunity to read and review WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER.

I adored this.

I’m newly into Jandy Nelson. I recently read and loved I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN and quickly understood what I was missing. WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER has many similarities yet is solely its own too.

What I loved:
• the imagery👏🏽Jandy writes so colorfully and vividly and I want to be inside her head. Her writing is so atmospheric but in such a bright, specific way
• complicated, flawed relationships - her characters and their relationships are so dynamic, never one thing which makes them incredibly real even when when she adds a little unbelievable flare to them
• the story of the Falls and The Curse was so fun and interesting and really added to the story

🌍🌈💕

I will say parts of this got a little too.. idk the word.. out of hand? It was perhaps too long in that sense. But everything came together at the end and I did love it so, so much. Fans of I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN will not be disappointed with this one. Another banger, for sure.

This is a deeply moving, multifaceted coming of age book. It’s told in multiple POVs, each bringing their own uniqueness to the story. It’s very emotional—poignant and joyful at the same time.

I also really enjoyed the very cinematic writing. I'd watch this show? movie? mini series? in a heartbeat. I actually can’t wait for the audiobook.

Thank you so much for the ARC!

I am a huge Jandy Nelson fan and I'll Give You the Sun remains to be one of my all time favorite YA books! I was SO excited to hear she had a new book coming out and immediately started reading this 500+ book the day I got a copy! This is a multigenerational family saga full of family secrets. The story is quite long but each character and story plays a distinct purpose to the bigger family at large. This has some bigger themes like parental abandonment and some of the family secrets that come out. Each sibling is drawn to this mysterious girl and we learn about her tragic background. There is a mysterious family curse, similar to Cain and Able. The book was over 500 pages but I still felt it could have benefited from slightly more character development towards the end. This story leans heavy in magic realism with family curses and talking dogs. All of the characters are quite flawed and I would have liked to see slightly more growth in some of them.

Recommend if you enjoy:
Long, complicated family stories
Multigenerational, complicated family stories
Lots of secrets and betrayal 
Magic realism elements
Stories about brothers
Generations old family curses

This was the rare book for me that I had some issues with but ended up loving so much that I’ll give it five stars anyway. Jandy Nelson’s stories are so layered and complex and messy, and the characters she writes are so magical that you’ll accept the weird shit happening with a shrug (ok I guess this is magical realism but idk it just feels different). She writes so well as characters of vastly different ages, and I was itching to dig up all the secrets being revealed in this great big loving chaotic family page after page. This review isn’t coherent, but honestly that feels right for this book.

This was a cute, heartwarming adventure. It is magical realism intertwined with literary fiction. All the characters were well developed and the message was refreshing. Even with this being YA it was still hard-hitting.
I would also like to say there is a dog and he's awesome - I would read it on that alone

Thank you to Netgalley and Dial Books for a copy of this book. It is available now!

“ She did not know what to do with the leftover love no one wanted anymore.”

Jandy Nelson is for all ages. This one didn’t hit as hard for me as I’ll Give You The Sun and I felt it could have been scaled back a bit, but still full of complex relationships and emotion.