Reviews

Both a challenging and an easy read. Carter's violent style is in full force here, almost jarringly so. But at no point does it feel gratuitous nor does it shock so much that it makes you want to put the book down. I read it in a day, as it is short and gripping, the direct and fast-paced story keeping you interested even though there's this sense of sick voyeurism, as I felt at many points like I was an observer to all the violence. If you like straightforward stories with morally correct characters and an easy to read story, this is absolutely not for you. Most of the characters are highly dislikeable and I feel that is really the point; it is not a romance, and it is not romantic. Some fascinating exploration of the female body and social politics around it, an interesting and immersive read for those already familiar with Carter's writing and aware of the brutality that lies in the pages.

shlynnnn's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.5

Despite the first third being my favorite part of this book it did not draw me in enough to be excited about reading it. I found the relationships between characters, and consequential actions, quite hard to follow especially near the end.

I can appreciate the authors writing style and there were some really nice passages but all in all it wasn’t for me.

Content Warnings