Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Murder
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The book contains three stories - one for each person that has to go through the in-between disguised as a camera shop before they are led to the afterlife.
The story starts slow, although that might be expected since the mechanics of this in-between world is just being brought up for the first time.
Hirasaki, the shop owner (or grim reaper) himself is a pretty nice and likable guy, but it's when he goes on a journey back in time to recover photos of past memories when he shines the most, especially in the last story. There's still so much mystery surrounding him in the end, but that's probably all we're going to get as an explanation.
All three stories were from people in different walks of life, but it still instilled in me the message that life is precious and there's no use in thinking about what-ifs, because we're a product of our decisions in life.
The story starts slow, although that might be expected since the mechanics of this in-between world is just being brought up for the first time.
Hirasaki, the shop owner (or grim reaper) himself is a pretty nice and likable guy, but it's when he goes on a journey back in time to recover photos of past memories when he shines the most, especially in the last story. There's still so much mystery surrounding him in the end, but that's probably all we're going to get as an explanation.
All three stories were from people in different walks of life, but it still instilled in me the message that life is precious and there's no use in thinking about what-ifs, because we're a product of our decisions in life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death
Moderate: Death
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sweet, poignant novel about how we really get that reel we see when our lives flash before our eyes. Through three very different characters, we see the inner workings of a post-life photo shop where the deceased are given a chance to reflect on their lives before moving on to the next plane. Does it feel a little corny? Yes. But it still hits you right in the chest at moments and has some surprises up its sleeve.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Murder
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Violence
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I wish I could give this book a higher score on StoryGraph and it’s been a real pleasure to have shared with Sanaka’s fabulous creativity. Her words were not only wonderful to read to envision and feel like you are embarking on the journey with the characters.
Three separate stories that share the same value and a pov from them all. Their memories and personalities that shaped and moulded them into the people they were before they deceased. The book retells of a live after death but before you encounter your destiny. Before heaven, hell or reincarnation. It’s the place to watch your cinematic records shortened by 1 memory for each year you were alive. Truly a masterpiece and I would love to read more from Sanaka Hiiragi.
A perfect finish for 2024 for me. Happy new year to all whom read this :)
Three separate stories that share the same value and a pov from them all. Their memories and personalities that shaped and moulded them into the people they were before they deceased. The book retells of a live after death but before you encounter your destiny. Before heaven, hell or reincarnation. It’s the place to watch your cinematic records shortened by 1 memory for each year you were alive. Truly a masterpiece and I would love to read more from Sanaka Hiiragi.
A perfect finish for 2024 for me. Happy new year to all whom read this :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death