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mrsdragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
The author uses flashbacks and dual story lines to slowly dole out information and uses that mechanic well to up the intrigue and the mystery of the book. Unfortunately, sometimes she got so wrapped up in the details that even I started to wish she would move it along already. There were also "mysteries" that were so obvious it was painful how long it took for the truth to be recognized/explained.
I was here for the "dark mysterious god of the woods, maybe devil, kinda conjured from your drawing" trope, but aspects of Addie's relationship with the dark seemed forced, illogical, or contradictory. Despite the prose, there was a heavy-handed bit of "telling instead of showing".
And then there's the fact that while the main story follows Addie, a large chunk of the story follows another main character who is never mentioned in the jacket descriptions which...isn't really *wrong* but did seem weird.
The author also sets up a narrative device within the story that mimics the structure of the book (clever!) but which makes the first couple of chapters in the last section seem weirdly navel-gazey and self-referential. And the final chapter left me...sad.
I also just, generally had a lot of questions about
That said, the conceit was a fun one, the "holes" the author found in the curse, she did a fabulous job with how the dark both granted and twisted wishes in a way that felt both natural and inevitable once the downsides were understood.
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and War
thirza_joy'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
liviascott'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Death and Death of parent
larbster90's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
alivotta'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual content
wowsmeows's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"...history is something you look back on, not something you really feel at the time. In the moment, you're just... living. I didn't want to live forever. I just wanted to live"
Addie LaRue follows the story of a girl who has been 23 for the last 300 years, cursed to be forgotten until she meets a man who remembers.
I don't normally pick up books that are so long, but the premise had me really intrigued. I'm so glad I decided to read this as I absolutely loved it. I thought it was written so beautifully and I was desperate to consume the story.
I will admit that this is a very slow book, so I definitely wouldn't recommend if you're looking for a fast-paced adventure. It's slow and thoughtful and the story really only begins at around the 50% mark. It takes a while for the initial set up and for the book to really explain what is going on and how the curse works. But, even in these slower moments I still found myself absolutely hooked.
I know that this was a 5* book for me, as its been staying with me even after I finished each of my reading sessions. The story has really burrowed into my brain and I feel like I've been thinking and reflecting on it a lot.
It's not one for everyone, but I will definitely remember Addie LaRue.
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Violence, Grief, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
agooding's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: War
smleeth93'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: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual violence, and War
Minor: Addiction
rachaelreadthat'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
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Biphobia, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment and War
youthofpandas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Sexual harassment, and War