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kobookshelf'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Stalking, and Gaslighting
tired_cicada's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think that this is magical realism at its finest. The world in "A Study in Drowning" is very similar to our own from the 50s and 60s. Many of us have a working knowledge of that time period so it's easy to fill in the blanks for what's going on. Furthermore, the magic system is so well entrenched into the culture that it feels like a natural part of the world. So often magic systems are slapped onto a world but don't seem to affect it down to a day-to-day.
Reid's writing is very poetic, almost to the point of being lyrical in some cases. In previous experience my main criticism with this writing style is that it seems the authors will get so attached to certain phrases that they're dialogue suffers. As in out of nowhere a character who was previously flamboyant and ridiculous is all the sudden preaching at a pulpit over tea. I do not have this criticism here. Each of Reid's characters have a distinct voice that they keep throughout the story. It's easy to know who's speaking as none of them sound the same.
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Car accident, and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and War
themelodyofspring'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
The story was sooo eerie. Effy was such a contradictory narrator that you couldn't tell if she was fulfilling the role of an unreliable narrator or not. I was questioning my sanity with her lol. 5 stars to Preston for not being an asshole and for being a softy.
The writing was amazing! The story inside the story was amazing. The little epigraph snippets from the in-book authors were amazing. I marked so many quotes I loved.
Going back to read the previous two works by the author.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
katievallin'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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Blood, Stalking, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
soniajoy98'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism
stevie02'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
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Stalking, and Gaslighting