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purplatypus'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
4.5
Graphic: Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Car accident
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Cursing, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Classism
Minor: Slavery, Vomit, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcohol, Racism, and Alcoholism
micheala's review against another edition
3.0
There is a plot, however this does feel like the characters are the main focus. It's hard, because most of the characters are very unlikeable however that's clearly the point. It's also in first person, which always knocks down my enjoyment a little.
At the beginning we had these fun footnotes that kinda just stop, as if the author forgot that was a thing she was doing. I wish they had continued, especially based on how the ending of the book was framed.
There are a lot of topics that fall into content warnings that feel more in line when you view this as a horror novel rather than a fantasy novel. None of them are super graphic, but they are clearly on page.
The prose was good, and I might give Harrow another go with a book that has a more appealing premise.
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Classism, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Alcohol, Incest, Xenophobia, Body horror, Gore, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, Grief, Car accident, Child abuse, and Child death
jessicarenz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Grief, and Slavery
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Racism, and Classism
sucordera1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Violence
ladyflash's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, and Suicidal thoughts
ghostingarden's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Incest, Death of parent, Classism, Slavery, Cursing, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
bethfern04'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
4.0
Opal is a great main character who isn't obviously a good or bad person. She suffers from some serious unresolved trauma and has become skilled at pushing everyone away. She's jaded, cynical and a thief. She's far from perfect, but watching her grow as a character was one of the best parts of the book. Her realization that she had so many people who truly loved and cared about her all along was incredibly touching.
I think the side characters were well flushed out and felt like whole people, especially Jasper her brother, her landlord, and her librarian friend.
I loved Arthur and Opal together. It was so fascinating watching these two people who had both worked so hard to stay isolated and emotionally distant, get under each other's skin!
The fantasy plot of the story was pretty strong as well. I especially liked the reveal of Eleanor Starlings true life story at the end. The themes of justice versus revenge, and the ripple effect of one family's cruelty over several generations were very well done.
4.0 ⭐ is my final rating.
As always, reviews are subjective, and love what you love. XOXO 😘
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Car accident
Minor: Chronic illness, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
micaelamariem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The descriptions were vivid and beautiful in a haunting kind of way. The characters were uniquely flawed to the point where you couldn’t help but empathize with their pain. The sins in the book were atrocious, and the themes of identity, belonging, and mercy crawled across the pages, igniting the words into some higher morals. And of course, who doesn’t love a sentient house?
I also thought it was super unique to include footnotes and a fictional bibliography! What a way to add voice.
The only reason it’s not five stars is because there are parts of the ending I wasn’t thoroughly satisfied with.
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Racism, Slavery, Grief, Sexual content, Car accident, Child death, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Cursing, Death of parent, Addiction, Death, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
seaton44's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Gore, Death of parent, Blood, Domestic abuse, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Classism, Incest, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Homophobia, Racism, Slavery, and Suicide
Minor: Vomit and Sexual assault
jerseynoonatic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Deportation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Slavery, Vomit, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Police brutality, Violence, Cursing, Drug use, and Death of parent