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chris_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
jmcampbell57's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent
unicornrhyfedd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
carys_ene's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
a horse gets injured and a character's boots are peed in as a way to humiliate themkommatator's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Sexism, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
delvie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I think this book could have cut down on the clutter. It feels like it introduces side-characters for no other reason than literal kelpie fodder to remind the reader about how dangerous the water horses are. Other than that, it's just an insider's guide to Thisbe: a fictional island where life is rough, the people are poor, and the men are misogynistic (groundbreaking territory, really).
Here's the thing: I'm a horse girl; this book should have been a slam dunk. The fact that it isn't, and that I only consider it to be "alright" speaks volumes, I think.
Graphic: Animal death and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Violence, and Blood
atamano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Sexism, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Reread 2024: Just realized that this book is about a stubborn second child, mad at her older sibling for not loving their family in the “right” way. Much to think about.
I also think this book is just a masterclass in character motivations. Every single character, even minor ones, have some driving action behind their actions that is clear in the text without it being overexplained. The whole crux of the book for every single character is “What do you want and what are you willing to do to get it?”
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity