lileh'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
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
mganallirt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Infertility, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
sophieennis's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Infertility, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Alcohol, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Blood, Gun violence, Incest, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death
janaycleaver's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Incest
Moderate: Miscarriage , Racism, and Death
daniellekat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
If you have this on your tbr I strongly recommend you look at all the content warnings (not just the summary). I don’t think I was prepared enough for some of the challenging content and that definitely affected my rating.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Toxic relationship, Incest, Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, Racial slurs, and Gun violence
Minor: Body shaming
tina94's review
- 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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Alcohol, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Incest, Infertility, Rape, Violence, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage , and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism
jamieholton's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racism and Abortion
Minor: Infertility
thewordsdevourer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This novel is unique, I think, in its complex and deep-layered portrayal of an abusive relationship where the female victim can actually afford to leave w/o her life falling apart a lil. But she doesnt, and her reasons - or rather lifelong trauma-rooted conditioning - for not doing so unearth a whole can of worms that are truly disturbing. I feel for the main character while also being frustrated at times.
A lot of important issues - some rampant in Trinidadian society - are also tackled, such as racism, colorism, female identity outside of motherhood, misogyny, and ofc intergenerational abuse and trauma, and Allen-Agostini does so w/o making it overwhelming. Another thing I enjoy is Alethea's distinctive voice that can be both unintentionally dark and funny; it def makes the story even more memorable.
Overall, this is a novel riveting in both its darkness and glimmers of light. It manages to keep me glued to the pg in dread, and that's def sth.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Death, Injury/injury detail, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion and Infertility
pr3rn4's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Rape, Pedophilia, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexism, Racism, Incest, Misogyny, and Grief
jennikreads's review
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Incest, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage , Murder, Racism, and Racial slurs