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torismazarine's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Death, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual violence, Drug use, Sexual harassment, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Sexual content, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Violence, Addiction, Body horror, Grief, Toxic friendship, Hate crime, Infidelity, Rape, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Alcohol, Blood, Self harm, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Lesbophobia
tlaynejones's review against another edition
4.0
There is quite a bit of religion/spirituality/Christianity in this story. It’s scattered throughout, and never reaches a point where I felt I was being proselytised to, but enough that I noticed, and wondered, why so much? The inclusion does encompass the anti queer hate that Christianity fosters, so it’s not all ‘pro’ religion. (I have since looked up the author, and discovered she is a Christian author)
Also, I’m not comfortable with the way the depiction of the murdered Black trans wife was written into the story. On one hand it makes sense that a truly beloved spouse may become idealised and almost angelic in grief. However, on the other hand, the only Black character in the story being brutalised and murdered, and that murder being the device from which all the white characters learn and grow makes me pretty uncomfortable. This is too close to the ‘magical negro’ trope. I wonder if the choice to make the murdered character a Black trans woman was an attempt to recognise and shine light on the real life murder rates of trans women of colour? I don’t know. But I did feel icky about some of this (I don’t want to explain specifics because of spoilers).
There was a lot to love about this novel. There are complexities and choices that are so understanding and others that are quite surprising. But there are also some issues. I would recommend, with the above caveats, and a big CW for anti queer hate and violence.
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Hate crime, Grief, Murder, Violence, Transphobia, Sexual violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Blood, and Mental illness