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shannaism's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
**Update: Cutting half a star so it can be truly indifferent.**
Like other reviews mention the writing is laden with similies but I wasn't bothered by it. Really, I find it can be rather illustrative. Ultimately, what garnered the 3stars was the fact that the storytelling doesn't allow you to become invested in the characters and by the finish you feel very little satisfaction at its ending. I found that I didn't care much about anything; not the supposed tragedy, or the whimsy. Nothing seems to strike a chord or fill you with as much wonderment as it promised. And my 3 I think is generous because at least it wasn't a terrible book.
Like other reviews mention the writing is laden with similies but I wasn't bothered by it. Really, I find it can be rather illustrative. Ultimately, what garnered the 3stars was the fact that the storytelling doesn't allow you to become invested in the characters and by the finish you feel very little satisfaction at its ending. I found that I didn't care much about anything; not the supposed tragedy, or the whimsy. Nothing seems to strike a chord or fill you with as much wonderment as it promised. And my 3 I think is generous because at least it wasn't a terrible book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Addiction, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
kiwieroses's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
WOW. This book was absolutely incredible. Its main themes revolve around trauma, the underworld of crime, drug trafficking and prostitution, performers/artists, and two orphans trying to find love in the cruel world they live in during the great depression. Even though it's filled with dark themes and quite explicit adult content, the book is written as a fairy tale or a bedtime story for children (sounds weird, I know, but if you read it you'll know what I mean) which makes it relatively easier to get through for the faint of heart, like myself. I cried at the end, but the last 3 pages are incredibly hopeful and gorgeous; please do not read them ahead of time like I did because the ending was SO epic, and I'm still upset that I spoiled it for myself haha.
O'Neill has a way with words that is incredibly unique and unlike anything I have read before, which takes you up and down through tragedy and triumph, and I just wish I could thank her in person for making such a stunningly heartbreaking piece of art.
O'Neill has a way with words that is incredibly unique and unlike anything I have read before, which takes you up and down through tragedy and triumph, and I just wish I could thank her in person for making such a stunningly heartbreaking piece of art.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Pedophilia
Minor: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
The graphic TWs are explicitly stated and detailed in the book, or are central to the plot and character personalities. If you have not had trauma from these situations, it will likely be a little hard to get through, but not unbearable because the book is written in the tone of a bedtime story for kids (it's complicated but beautiful). If you have had trauma from these graphic situations, I would suggest skipping this book, because it may be a bit much. The minor TWs are only very lightly inferred/mentioned, proceed with caution.
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