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Rainbow in the Dark
A YA novel about identity, depression, giving up, and finding your way home.
High school senior Rainbow is trapped with three other teens in a game-like world that may or may not be real. Together, they must complete quests and gain experience in order to access their own forgotten memories, decode what has happened to them, and find a portal home.
As Rainbow’s memories slowly return, the story of a lonely teen facing senior year as the new kid in a small town emerges.
High school senior Rainbow is trapped with three other teens in a game-like world that may or may not be real. Together, they must complete quests and gain experience in order to access their own forgotten memories, decode what has happened to them, and find a portal home.
As Rainbow’s memories slowly return, the story of a lonely teen facing senior year as the new kid in a small town emerges.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published August 10, 2021
14 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 25, 2021
Rainbow in the Dark by Sean McGinty is a young adult fantasy standalone novel. I would warn readers that this one has a dark side to it tackling issues like teen depression and teen suicide in a fantasy world.
Rainbow is a high school senior who has one day found herself trapped in a virtual game world. Rainbow meets another teen, a guy who claims his name is CHAD01, and Chad 1 (the 0 is silent) explains what little he knows about the world they are trapped inside. The pair must beat the game to find their portal home.
Rainbow in the Dark was compared to Ready Player One and The Wizard of Oz so of course being a big fan of each I had to check this one out. Now I know sometimes comparisons are way off the mark but in this case I could see both in this strange fantasy. The problem I came upon though was if I had not been referred to those books I probably would not have understood a thing going on in this story. The world building was lacking and the story strange but bringing upon the other stories I actually did understand what the author was trying to do. I wouldn’t say that I felt the idea behind this was original with the comparisons guiding me but somehow the strange story did work and in the end I’d rate this one at three and a half stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Rainbow is a high school senior who has one day found herself trapped in a virtual game world. Rainbow meets another teen, a guy who claims his name is CHAD01, and Chad 1 (the 0 is silent) explains what little he knows about the world they are trapped inside. The pair must beat the game to find their portal home.
Rainbow in the Dark was compared to Ready Player One and The Wizard of Oz so of course being a big fan of each I had to check this one out. Now I know sometimes comparisons are way off the mark but in this case I could see both in this strange fantasy. The problem I came upon though was if I had not been referred to those books I probably would not have understood a thing going on in this story. The world building was lacking and the story strange but bringing upon the other stories I actually did understand what the author was trying to do. I wouldn’t say that I felt the idea behind this was original with the comparisons guiding me but somehow the strange story did work and in the end I’d rate this one at three and a half stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
October 27, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Rainbow in the Dark in exchange for an honest review.
So... this was weird. I've read over 500 books this year so please know when I say this was the most unique, that's a really, really big deal. Rainbow in the Dark is kind of poetic portrayals of teen angst meets kindergarten humor meets the quest/found family trope meets a bizarre nonsense version of the wizard of oz and somehow I mean all of that in the best way possible. I really enjoyed this so I'm going to try and articulate what I liked to you, but its honestly the kind of thing you have to read to understand.
We open on you. You're memoryless in the middle of a non-earth nowhere where you can't touch your pants, form the vowel sound of swearwords, or figure out how the hell you're supposed to pee because of the aforementioned lack of pant touching. You meet a guy named CHAD01 (the 0 is silent) who tells you you have to go on a quest together because a box told him so so you decide to do it. Simular boxes can also give you memories. CHAD01 tells you not to read yours but you do anyway and then suddenly the perspective shifts from you to Rainbow except you're also rainbow and throughout your quest through chaos-oz, the narrative intersplices Rainbows memories and the various attempts of a God/dess as she attempts to kill herself.
Did that work? Do you understand? Still probably no?
Honestly I think the reason I loved this a lot more than other chaos reads is that it has actual stakes and a ton of real-world applicable messages you can take from the chaos. If you want to tackle some serious topics like teen suicide/depression while also being able to be somewhat removed from the severity of all that, give this a go.
So... this was weird. I've read over 500 books this year so please know when I say this was the most unique, that's a really, really big deal. Rainbow in the Dark is kind of poetic portrayals of teen angst meets kindergarten humor meets the quest/found family trope meets a bizarre nonsense version of the wizard of oz and somehow I mean all of that in the best way possible. I really enjoyed this so I'm going to try and articulate what I liked to you, but its honestly the kind of thing you have to read to understand.
We open on you. You're memoryless in the middle of a non-earth nowhere where you can't touch your pants, form the vowel sound of swearwords, or figure out how the hell you're supposed to pee because of the aforementioned lack of pant touching. You meet a guy named CHAD01 (the 0 is silent) who tells you you have to go on a quest together because a box told him so so you decide to do it. Simular boxes can also give you memories. CHAD01 tells you not to read yours but you do anyway and then suddenly the perspective shifts from you to Rainbow except you're also rainbow and throughout your quest through chaos-oz, the narrative intersplices Rainbows memories and the various attempts of a God/dess as she attempts to kill herself.
Did that work? Do you understand? Still probably no?
Honestly I think the reason I loved this a lot more than other chaos reads is that it has actual stakes and a ton of real-world applicable messages you can take from the chaos. If you want to tackle some serious topics like teen suicide/depression while also being able to be somewhat removed from the severity of all that, give this a go.
July 19, 2021
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Unique story that balances dark humour and teen angst and delivers a powerful message.
Cons: The surrealistic style might not work for everyone.
WARNING! Themes of depression and suicide (the latter more on the page, though filtered through an absurdist lens). Some gore. A pet's death.
Will appeal to: Those who like a book that colours outside the lines.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on Edelweiss. Thanks to Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
COME TOGETHER
Rainbow in the Dark is the epitome of a double-souled book: (mostly) set in a game-like world but contemporary in nature, alternating 1st person to 2nd person narrative (not to mention, there are a few chapters in 3rd person, whose protagonist is a character Rainbow dreamed up and wrote stories about), humorous and absurdist but tackling serious themes as depression and suicide. In short: dark comedy meets teen angst. However, you needn't be afraid to pick this book up, because the opposites converge quite successfully, and give birth to one of the most unique stories you'll ever read. Their connection is made even stronger by the fact that lots of details or incidents in the game-like world, no matter how preposterous, mirror/are connected to other details or incidents from Rainbow's real life, and the protagonist's fantastic journey is, for all purposes, a quest that will (maybe) result in her putting her life back together. [...]
Whole review here.
Pros: Unique story that balances dark humour and teen angst and delivers a powerful message.
Cons: The surrealistic style might not work for everyone.
WARNING! Themes of depression and suicide (the latter more on the page, though filtered through an absurdist lens). Some gore. A pet's death.
Will appeal to: Those who like a book that colours outside the lines.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on Edelweiss. Thanks to Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
COME TOGETHER
Rainbow in the Dark is the epitome of a double-souled book: (mostly) set in a game-like world but contemporary in nature, alternating 1st person to 2nd person narrative (not to mention, there are a few chapters in 3rd person, whose protagonist is a character Rainbow dreamed up and wrote stories about), humorous and absurdist but tackling serious themes as depression and suicide. In short: dark comedy meets teen angst. However, you needn't be afraid to pick this book up, because the opposites converge quite successfully, and give birth to one of the most unique stories you'll ever read. Their connection is made even stronger by the fact that lots of details or incidents in the game-like world, no matter how preposterous, mirror/are connected to other details or incidents from Rainbow's real life, and the protagonist's fantastic journey is, for all purposes, a quest that will (maybe) result in her putting her life back together. [...]
Whole review here.
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December 16, 2022What a strange book.
July 2, 2024
This hero's quest/portal fantasy is going to change some 13 year old's life. Not mine, because I'm not 13.
February 4, 2022
This might be the weirdest book I’ve ever read. It begins with an Alice in Wonderland meets the Lost Boys vibe, building on video game concepts and the topic of mental illness. But by the end I wasn’t certain if I didn’t fully understand it or if it simply wasn’t as deep as it was pretending to be. But if a book could be “visually stunning” like a movie, it would be this one.
May 11, 2022
Important Fantasy
Really interesting take on important mental health themes. Loved how this story was told and the interplay of memories and fantasy.
Really interesting take on important mental health themes. Loved how this story was told and the interplay of memories and fantasy.
August 2, 2024
Frustrating I think is the best word I can come up with for this book.
If it was the author’s intent to use very juvenile writing mistakes to emphasize the perspective of the character as a young teen writer, maybe I can give that a pass conceptually, but the actual act of reading this was almost physically painful for the constant repetitions of “saids,” the constant telling instead of showing, the absolutely insufferable characters, and the fact that Echo Joy may be the single most irritating character I’ve ever encountered.
Punched my car audioplayer’s power button off in annoyance at least 3 times per disc when listening. The “video game” angle was really flat and felt like an attempt to basically modernize the “was it all a dream?” trope while it felt like little effort was actually put into selling the concept as interesting or compelling. I guess there was the weird obsession with toes and peeing yourself, though…?
I picked this up because one of my library teens was going to read it and wanted us both to talk about it. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to do that with him now if he tells me how much he likes it. I might just have to keep asking questions and offer no thoughts…
If it was the author’s intent to use very juvenile writing mistakes to emphasize the perspective of the character as a young teen writer, maybe I can give that a pass conceptually, but the actual act of reading this was almost physically painful for the constant repetitions of “saids,” the constant telling instead of showing, the absolutely insufferable characters, and the fact that Echo Joy may be the single most irritating character I’ve ever encountered.
Punched my car audioplayer’s power button off in annoyance at least 3 times per disc when listening. The “video game” angle was really flat and felt like an attempt to basically modernize the “was it all a dream?” trope while it felt like little effort was actually put into selling the concept as interesting or compelling. I guess there was the weird obsession with toes and peeing yourself, though…?
I picked this up because one of my library teens was going to read it and wanted us both to talk about it. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to do that with him now if he tells me how much he likes it. I might just have to keep asking questions and offer no thoughts…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2021
Trigger warnings for depression, suicide, and death of a pet.
For most of this book, you're in the same boat as Rainbow, not really knowing what's going on. You can piece together events throughout, but nothing is really ever clear. It actually reminded me a lot of More Than This by Patrick Ness, same kind of surrealist, not sure what's really going on kind of book. I don't think this style is for everyone, but I actually really enjoyed it. Super engaging, with characters that will hook you until the end.
For most of this book, you're in the same boat as Rainbow, not really knowing what's going on. You can piece together events throughout, but nothing is really ever clear. It actually reminded me a lot of More Than This by Patrick Ness, same kind of surrealist, not sure what's really going on kind of book. I don't think this style is for everyone, but I actually really enjoyed it. Super engaging, with characters that will hook you until the end.
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June 22, 2021Booklist review to come
March 16, 2025
this is like sword art online meets welcome to nightvale with a hint of alice in borderland, and i loved it.
August 24, 2025
i've decided to start rating books by how much they make me feel. because that's what a book should do, isn't it? make you *feel*. and this book did. maybe it was the second-person perspective, maybe the dreamlike disjointedness of it all that kept you rushing along, no time to question anything, leaving memories crumpled on the floor behind. but Rainbow left me in a Mood after finishing, the way only a good book can, where i just have to sit and contemplate.
i think the hardest hitting part is how it captures
5/5 stars for transporting me, mind and emotions, to the most vivid world i've been to in a long time.
i think the hardest hitting part is how it captures
5/5 stars for transporting me, mind and emotions, to the most vivid world i've been to in a long time.
August 14, 2021
After reading and then reflecting on this bizarre and wonderful book, I find that I am extremely happy that I read it. I don't think I've ever read anything like it, and I'm quite sure I'll probably never read anything like it again.
Rainbow's life feels like it's falling apart. His brother doesn't seem interested in having a relationship with him, his mom is always sad, and his dad is gone. After a move, Rainbow is having a difficult time in school, and his depression is a driving force in his life.
Until he ends up in a new place. A place he's never been before and can't quite figure out. And as he begins to navigate in this place (which does distinctly feel like a video game), he meets new people that will help him find his way home, but along the way, he must learn new things about himself and understand his own memories better.
Other reviewers have said that this book is a fascinating commentary on teenage depression, and they would be correct. Though it was strange, and I was a bit skeptical at first, once I got going, I couldn't put it down. My heart broke for poor Rainbow several times throughout the course of the novel. I wanted to hug him. I loved him, and his new friends were all fascinating people. I think this book does have a lot of appeal for teens dealing with depression, or would be good for teens that are interested in video games, because it did wholly feel like that's what was happening. There were quests the characters had to complete before they could move onto the next level, and every level got them one step closer to home.
The writing style was very well done too. I am not quite sure I have ever read a book successfully told in switching third and second person narration. Rainbow's memories were told in third person, while the action inside the video game was in second person, allowing for an even more immersive experience.
I am grateful this bizarre and beautiful book exists. I'm excited to have it on my shelves and I'm excited to recommend it.
CW: A lot of censored cursing (the game Rainbow is stuck in does not allow for profanity, but the teens try anyway) and there are some quests these teens have to fulfill that were reminiscent of drug use, like snorting fire ants and smoking Sour Patch Kids (all of which are said to be dangerous in the novel). Also suicidal ideation and depression.
Rainbow's life feels like it's falling apart. His brother doesn't seem interested in having a relationship with him, his mom is always sad, and his dad is gone. After a move, Rainbow is having a difficult time in school, and his depression is a driving force in his life.
Until he ends up in a new place. A place he's never been before and can't quite figure out. And as he begins to navigate in this place (which does distinctly feel like a video game), he meets new people that will help him find his way home, but along the way, he must learn new things about himself and understand his own memories better.
Other reviewers have said that this book is a fascinating commentary on teenage depression, and they would be correct. Though it was strange, and I was a bit skeptical at first, once I got going, I couldn't put it down. My heart broke for poor Rainbow several times throughout the course of the novel. I wanted to hug him. I loved him, and his new friends were all fascinating people. I think this book does have a lot of appeal for teens dealing with depression, or would be good for teens that are interested in video games, because it did wholly feel like that's what was happening. There were quests the characters had to complete before they could move onto the next level, and every level got them one step closer to home.
The writing style was very well done too. I am not quite sure I have ever read a book successfully told in switching third and second person narration. Rainbow's memories were told in third person, while the action inside the video game was in second person, allowing for an even more immersive experience.
I am grateful this bizarre and beautiful book exists. I'm excited to have it on my shelves and I'm excited to recommend it.
CW: A lot of censored cursing (the game Rainbow is stuck in does not allow for profanity, but the teens try anyway) and there are some quests these teens have to fulfill that were reminiscent of drug use, like snorting fire ants and smoking Sour Patch Kids (all of which are said to be dangerous in the novel). Also suicidal ideation and depression.
August 11, 2021
Okay, y’all. This was one weird book, and I absolutely loved it.
When Rainbow wakes up, she doesn’t remember anything. She doesn’t know who she is, where she is, or how she got there. She finds herself in a video game-like world, with memories slowly being returned to her. In order to fully regain her memories and (maybe) return home, she has to complete a quest. Chad01, the warrior assigned to escort her, is tremendously upset about being paired up with a Nobody, a character without an assigned class. They reluctantly set out across a bizarre world full of nightmarish creatures and magic that no one seems to fully understand.
Rainbow manages to retrieve some more of her memories along the journey, leading her to remember her time with her brother CJ and her struggles with her own mental health and suicidal ideation. The quest to find herself may be more destructive to her than she initially would have expected.
Sean McGinty has crafted a unique story here, with some parallels being drawn to The Wizard of Oz as far as a quest within a questionable reality. It’s a difficult story to describe, and a difficult one to read, but it pays off pretty well. 4/5 stars. It’s out in the world as of *oops* yesterday, so go check it out.
My most sincere thanks to NetGalley and Clarion Books for an eARC of Rainbow in the Dark in exchange for a fair review.
This review originally appeared here: https://swordsoftheancients.com/2021/...
When Rainbow wakes up, she doesn’t remember anything. She doesn’t know who she is, where she is, or how she got there. She finds herself in a video game-like world, with memories slowly being returned to her. In order to fully regain her memories and (maybe) return home, she has to complete a quest. Chad01, the warrior assigned to escort her, is tremendously upset about being paired up with a Nobody, a character without an assigned class. They reluctantly set out across a bizarre world full of nightmarish creatures and magic that no one seems to fully understand.
Rainbow manages to retrieve some more of her memories along the journey, leading her to remember her time with her brother CJ and her struggles with her own mental health and suicidal ideation. The quest to find herself may be more destructive to her than she initially would have expected.
Sean McGinty has crafted a unique story here, with some parallels being drawn to The Wizard of Oz as far as a quest within a questionable reality. It’s a difficult story to describe, and a difficult one to read, but it pays off pretty well. 4/5 stars. It’s out in the world as of *oops* yesterday, so go check it out.
My most sincere thanks to NetGalley and Clarion Books for an eARC of Rainbow in the Dark in exchange for a fair review.
This review originally appeared here: https://swordsoftheancients.com/2021/...
February 19, 2022
I picked up this book thinking it would be more sci-fi. I was wrong. It’s a vague video game plot of a girl, Rainbow who has apparently just attempted suicide and is now in a world of her own making as she attempts to get back to her life. She struggles with her memories and actions trying to reconnect with her brother. The ending was too vague for me. I’m unsure if Rainbow ever reconnects with her brother because despite him being the focus of her memories when she does survive her attempt, there is no longer any mention of him. I wonder if he has left either by moving or by suicide and that is why she attempts it as well. It didn’t feel like she was alone in this depression. It felt like her brother has it too. And almost, her imagined world is Rainbow ins watch of her lost brother to tell him all the things she never said before she never sees him again. I think that’s why it’s so confusing. Because despite her getting a second chance, there is t even a hint that her brother is still around. Granted this is Rainbow trying to work through her own depression so maybe there is no reason for me to think something happened to her brother other than they had a fight, but without that being not even somewhat discussed in the epilogue this book is a no.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2021
Rainbow wakes up trapped in a video game and she doesn’t know the rules or the purpose. Through different levels and by making a few friends, Rainbow starts to figure out what to do. As Rainbow progresses through the levels, she also recalls memories from the life she thinks she once had.
I struggled to get into the story because the world building was a little unclear. Bringing the video game and friend-quest together didn’t always work out. I didn’t love any of the characters and struggled to figure out who to fight for. When the reader gets the end, there is still a little ambiguity, which I usually like, but I would have wanted a little bit more clarity about Rainbow and her experience. The allegory-eque story of a character trying to understand their depression and suicidal ideation was an interesting idea, but the video game world wasn’t fully built. I wanted to like it more than I did. For readers who like a fast-paced, situation driven story, then this is a good choice. The plot and characters will definitely create conversation between readers. I would love to talk with someone about the narrator’s point of view.
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC!
I struggled to get into the story because the world building was a little unclear. Bringing the video game and friend-quest together didn’t always work out. I didn’t love any of the characters and struggled to figure out who to fight for. When the reader gets the end, there is still a little ambiguity, which I usually like, but I would have wanted a little bit more clarity about Rainbow and her experience. The allegory-eque story of a character trying to understand their depression and suicidal ideation was an interesting idea, but the video game world wasn’t fully built. I wanted to like it more than I did. For readers who like a fast-paced, situation driven story, then this is a good choice. The plot and characters will definitely create conversation between readers. I would love to talk with someone about the narrator’s point of view.
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC!
August 13, 2023
6 Stars / 5
★★★★★★
Holy fucking shit. When I tell you I need an extra star for this book I mean it. This book perfectly describes the confusion, the pain, and the anxieties that come with being a teenager. It perfectly represents the intrusive thoughts you may have when you are struggling with depression. This book is practically universal in that sense. Sure everyone may not be going through what Rainbow is in their home life but holy shit is it relatable in almost everyway. This book feels so personal in a way, and it's one of the only books I've read or even seen that uses Second person POV. The POV brings another layer of relatability and immersion, unlike the use of First person where there is a sense of disconnect in my opinion, where it feels too connected to you and too personal in a sense. Which I think that if McGinty used the First or Third Person in this book, then it wouldn't have hit as hard for me as a reader. TLDR; Read this book if you want a heartfelt story about how friendship and companions can help you in the realm of discovering yourself in a time where you are lost.
★★★★★★
Holy fucking shit. When I tell you I need an extra star for this book I mean it. This book perfectly describes the confusion, the pain, and the anxieties that come with being a teenager. It perfectly represents the intrusive thoughts you may have when you are struggling with depression. This book is practically universal in that sense. Sure everyone may not be going through what Rainbow is in their home life but holy shit is it relatable in almost everyway. This book feels so personal in a way, and it's one of the only books I've read or even seen that uses Second person POV. The POV brings another layer of relatability and immersion, unlike the use of First person where there is a sense of disconnect in my opinion, where it feels too connected to you and too personal in a sense. Which I think that if McGinty used the First or Third Person in this book, then it wouldn't have hit as hard for me as a reader. TLDR; Read this book if you want a heartfelt story about how friendship and companions can help you in the realm of discovering yourself in a time where you are lost.
March 26, 2021
This book was like nothing I’ve read before, and I really enjoyed it!
Trigger warning: suicidal thoughts, gory details for certain death.
The switching between memories and Rainbows quest in the world was balanced and really helped set up how important remembering who you are and bad and good things are. It doesn’t hurt that it was a mix between Wizard of Oz and Ready Player One, two books I adore; it took inspiration but created something entirely new and unique!
I literally didn’t know if Rainbow was male, female, no binary, or gender fluid for so long in this book, and I love it! It was up to interpretation for a while, and I NEED MORE OF THIS!
Chapters aren’t too long, so those who struggle with reading won’t have trouble either!
*Spoiler ALERT*
My problems with the story; the Goddess parts and the ending, which didn't hold enough emotional hold, so it fell flat! The Goddess parts confused me for the longest while I didn’t find them necessary.
Trigger warning: suicidal thoughts, gory details for certain death.
The switching between memories and Rainbows quest in the world was balanced and really helped set up how important remembering who you are and bad and good things are. It doesn’t hurt that it was a mix between Wizard of Oz and Ready Player One, two books I adore; it took inspiration but created something entirely new and unique!
I literally didn’t know if Rainbow was male, female, no binary, or gender fluid for so long in this book, and I love it! It was up to interpretation for a while, and I NEED MORE OF THIS!
Chapters aren’t too long, so those who struggle with reading won’t have trouble either!
*Spoiler ALERT*
My problems with the story; the Goddess parts and the ending, which didn't hold enough emotional hold, so it fell flat! The Goddess parts confused me for the longest while I didn’t find them necessary.
May 13, 2023
This book just was not for me. The silliness of it, the lack of plot progression--for readers who thrive on mystery and vibes, who like the unique and the weird, this may be great. I just... like stories that make sense and have a coherent structure. It's there a tiny bit, but only in as much as things will be mentioned once in flashbacks before becoming relevant in the story. There's a villain but only for about twenty pages, so that felt even stranger.
Quest narratives are hard. A strong plot occurs when one event causes another, and quests in particular are prone to feeling like one event occurs because the characters walked to it. This one is especially bad. The interesting elements, like the memories--characters must choose between their memories of life before and their competence in the strange world--are simply not explored.
Weak plot, meh characters, interesting ideas always on the horizon.
Quest narratives are hard. A strong plot occurs when one event causes another, and quests in particular are prone to feeling like one event occurs because the characters walked to it. This one is especially bad. The interesting elements, like the memories--characters must choose between their memories of life before and their competence in the strange world--are simply not explored.
Weak plot, meh characters, interesting ideas always on the horizon.
September 13, 2021
Nearer the beginning of this book I wasn’t that interested, and the end didn’t really wrap up nice and tidy and like I didn’t automatically understand everything that happened, but I enjoyed reading it. Like it was just about the journey of reading it and following Rainbow and the other kids, and I did like the general vibe I got at the end, like it felt good and even though I didn’t really understand it all it was a (not exactly happy but promising) hopeful ending.
Also the changes in like first/second/third person narration were cool, I’m sure there was a pattern that had lots of meaning that I could see if I looked back through the book, but I borrowed the ebook and that’s harder to skim through. Also books don’t usually use second person narration but this one did and that was kinda cool to see.
Also the changes in like first/second/third person narration were cool, I’m sure there was a pattern that had lots of meaning that I could see if I looked back through the book, but I borrowed the ebook and that’s harder to skim through. Also books don’t usually use second person narration but this one did and that was kinda cool to see.
September 27, 2021
All I can say is read this book. Rainbow in the Dark is the kind of book that is almost impossible to describe. There is so much going on here on so many levels. Rainbow, while searching for his/her brother CJ who is suddenly missing, somehow wanders into an alternate reality, where almost all memory has been wiped away. In order to find the way home, and find CJ, Rainbow must make his/her way through a series of challenging quests, portals and levels. Along the way pieces of memories are provided, which begin to piece together the real life struggles that Rainbow is dealing with.
There is no rose-colored-glasses feeling to this book, yet there are moments of raw honesty, vulnerability and compassion which leave the reader feeling hopeful, and when the story ends feeling very satisfied. This is a book which I am looking forward to re-reading.
There is no rose-colored-glasses feeling to this book, yet there are moments of raw honesty, vulnerability and compassion which leave the reader feeling hopeful, and when the story ends feeling very satisfied. This is a book which I am looking forward to re-reading.
November 29, 2021
Let me start this out with a cw for mentions of suicide, depression, and pet lost.
I quite enjoyed reading this book. I was expecting a darker read when I heard about the themes that were discussed in this book but I was pleasantly surprised when reading it.
The author was able to talk about serious topic while also making the book fun to read because of the bizarre and unique video game like world it took place in.
This book was able to transition rather smoothly from 1st, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives which is something I don’t see happen too often.
Now moving on to what I don’t like as much. I wish the characters and world was more fleshed out and the god/dess parts don’t really feel in place for most of the book besides at the very end but I still don’t feel it was too necessary for the plot.
I quite enjoyed reading this book. I was expecting a darker read when I heard about the themes that were discussed in this book but I was pleasantly surprised when reading it.
The author was able to talk about serious topic while also making the book fun to read because of the bizarre and unique video game like world it took place in.
This book was able to transition rather smoothly from 1st, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives which is something I don’t see happen too often.
Now moving on to what I don’t like as much. I wish the characters and world was more fleshed out and the god/dess parts don’t really feel in place for most of the book besides at the very end but I still don’t feel it was too necessary for the plot.
July 19, 2022
Firstly this is a very unique story of Rainbow, whom I believe is a boy but some folks think is a girl. Gender doesn't have anything to do with the story though so doesn't really matter unless it matters to you personally. I understood from a few odd chapters in that there was some kind of mind game being played here, an elaborate fantasy quest as Rainbow searched for his brother you find out there was drama and Rainbow has a very colorful imagination that conjures amazing stories of the The Eternal God/dess of Teen Depression and how she tries to kill herself in may descriptive ways. Some parts were hilarious and snarky and I loved them, others were sad and gut-wrenching and they offset beautifully. Certainly fast paced and engaging even with the weight of family drama/divorce, suicidal thoughts and suicide events discussed. I will definitely read more Sean McGinty.
September 1, 2023
Hovering between 4 and 5 stars. Started off believing this was going to be some generic YA novel I grabbed from the sale shelf. I'll be honest, I went in cynical. But that didn't last long. This book is *UNIQUE*, standalone, both entirely real AND fantastical. It has a lot to do with depression, regrets, battling your negative thoughts, and struggling to accept and overcome. But while that is on the back burner, you're transported to this alternate world that runs like a video game, and you are full of questions. I say "you" because YOU are quite literally the protagonist of this story. Loved the feel, the language, the message, how it just put you in the front seat - it felt like you barely had to read it, just go along for the ride!
December 20, 2025
This is by far the worst book I have read. I made it most of the way through, and do not believe the rest could give me the 5 star experience that is apparently the consensus on this site.
Firstly, the worst crime of this book is that it is mind-numbingly, eye-oozingly boring and predictable. It tries to have horror and suspense elements, but comes off as childish and uninspired.
Secondly, there is hardly any characterization. There are 5 characters, and none of them have personalities. The only development we get are Rainbow's flashbacks, which never say much.
Lastly, the most memorable parts of this book are blatant fetish material. Within the first section of the book, there is both a graphic pants-pissing and pants-defecating scene. It's horrible.
Firstly, the worst crime of this book is that it is mind-numbingly, eye-oozingly boring and predictable. It tries to have horror and suspense elements, but comes off as childish and uninspired.
Secondly, there is hardly any characterization. There are 5 characters, and none of them have personalities. The only development we get are Rainbow's flashbacks, which never say much.
Lastly, the most memorable parts of this book are blatant fetish material. Within the first section of the book, there is both a graphic pants-pissing and pants-defecating scene. It's horrible.
June 29, 2021
This is a story of a high school senior, Rainbow, a cat, Goldfish, and how Rainbow got stuck in another reality playing a game with three other teens that may or may not be real, especially when you find out how they have to use the bathroom. They must complete quests, gain experience and memories to hopefully win and escape the game and go home. But where does a cat named Goldfish come in and is Rainbows brother in this world too?
This is a very interesting and well sculpted book. There are so many twists and turns it will keep you ensnared until the end. The characters are well rounded and the story line is a new one. I liked this book and hope you all do too.
This is a very interesting and well sculpted book. There are so many twists and turns it will keep you ensnared until the end. The characters are well rounded and the story line is a new one. I liked this book and hope you all do too.
September 8, 2021
A beautiful, if often nightmarish, and interesting reflection of the strange world we inhabit, and the mental health and existential challenges young people face-- with machine forests of death, corporate yes men in polo shirts, and disingenuous disembodied voices of authority that ask us to joyfully turn a blind eye to the horrific, destructive systems we participate in in order to sustain our quality of life. But the overall message is that, no matter what we go through or how hard things are, we try as best as we can to make peace and find home within ourselves. And, most importantly, that we love each other.
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November 24, 2021A really interesting sci fi allegory that gamers will enjoy. High School senior Rainbow wakes up in a strange world with little to no memory of their life outside. As Rainbow encounters other teens and they team up to make their way through the game-like levels of the strange world they find themselves in, they can make the decisions to remember or forget parts of their previous lives. Fascinating storytelling, reads like a combination of Ready Player One, the Wizard of Oz, and Blade Runner, with a deeper meaning to be found under the surface. Striking visuals that really stick in your memory.
January 7, 2022
Something about this book really resonated with me. Since a majority of the book is written in second person, I found that I was putting myself in the story and imagining myself as Rainbow. I related to their feelings and experiences and it made me reflect on my own behaviors. I'm pretty bad at getting the moral of the story from books, but even without knowing the true meaning it was still an impactful, powerful, emotional read that was funny and random while still deep and almost foreboding. I was so absorbed I read it in only a few hours, but it's for sure gonna stay in the back of my mind for the rest of my life.
March 7, 2022
This book is Wizard of Oz meets Ready Player One with depression thrown into the mix. Overall, I enjoyed the writing style and the transitions using memories and connecting the past with the current storyline. I would have left out the god/goddess of teen depression stuff though, as I felt it was a bit overkill. We understood Rainbow's frame of mind without that bit of obvious writing. However, I won't hold that against McGinty. The story itself was reminiscent of other stories, but still unique in most things. Definitely a cool book. I would suggest it for anyone 16+. The "censored" words are still quite obvious, so just be aware there's lots of pre-bleeped cursing.
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