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theaceofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Oh man, if you decide to do this you are in for an interesting ride! But please do be careful if you are the kind of person who needs content warnings - this has pretty much everything (I think gave up trying to keep track in any kind of detailed way by around 10% in and given how long this is, I've probably left a few out). Set in a world with superpowers, this story explores good people doing bad things, bad people doing good things, people doing good things for the wrong reasons, people doing bad things for right reasons and everything in between. We follow Taylor, a bullied teenager with powers who goes out in costume to escape her civilian life, only to find herself quickly caught up in the dark underbelly of her home town. We get to see outside of Taylor's head in interlude chapters, which give us an insight into the wider parahuman world.
This was a reread for me. I got a strong urge to reread this a little while back and since that feeling didn't want to go away, I decided to dive back into Brockton Bay. Nearly two months later and here we are! I love the world that J.C. McCrae/Wildbow created and how complex the characters are. I love how creative he gets with all the powers and explores their potentials beyond the obvious, surface level applications, particularly as the world breaks more and more and needs increasingly drastic solutions to fix all the new problems that are constantly arising. This may be a long work, but he builds everything up masterfully through the thousands of pages. Are there parts that maybe drag a bit more or feel rushed? Yes. But I think that is also think that's because of how it was originally shared. Does this take away from the enjoyment? No, not really although some parts are less interesting and may need a bit of a push to get through.
This was a reread and I found it interesting as to how my attitudes towards some of the characters changed from the first time around. I liked Lisa a whole lot less. While she's good to those she cares about, she's manipulative and borderline emotionally abusive. I didn't enjoy the shopping scene towards the start. While I do appreciate her trying to build Taylor's confidence, I wasn't a big fan of how forceful she was about this. I don't know how intentional it is, but I see a lot of parallels between her and Taylor's bullies. I wasn't a big fan of Reagent last time and disliked him even more this time around. I understand why he is how he is - his backstory is harrowing - but that doesn't mean he's good (although he is a good character, even if he's a bad person). On the other hand, I liked Rachel a whole lot more. I don't know how much of that is me experiencing more frustrating people and relating to her more than last time. That's not to say that she's a traditionally good person of course, but there is something warm deep inside, even though she hides it from all the "stupid people" around her.
This was such a fun (and yet not fun given some of the themes) read. If you are planning on reading it, it is worth remembering that this is largely a first draft. Don't get me wrong, the chapters have clearly been edited (there are no glaring spelling or grammar errors), the continuity is great (with some lovely foreshadowing) and it works fine as a complete work (no glaring plot holes, nothing is seriously broken, etc). Just don't go in expecting 100% polished perfection. It's just a bit wordy at times and it could be cut down to make it more streamlined in parts (although the author did say this would be split into a series if he gets around to publishing it!) and some events could be fleshed out a bit more. That being said, it is a lot better than a lot of the more recent self-published (and even some (small) press, sorry!) works I've come across.
I feel like I should have something more to say about this work given how long and complex it is, but I'm going to leave it here for now. I might come back and add more at some point, but I have a lot I want to say that's difficult to put into words, at least without giving spoilers. Now onto the long list of content warnings!
Some notes on some of the content warnings (all are individually spoilered)
Animal cruelty:Mostly dog abuse
Body horror:Mostly weird power things, including mutations
Confinement:Prison and Taylor being shut in a locker with pads and tampons by her bullies
Drug abuse:Both by choice and forced by gang leaders
Fatphobia:Lots of offhand comments. At one point a hero also uses making someome fat and obese as a threat
Fire:Some characters have fire-based superpowers and people get hurt
Forced institutionalisation:Mentions of time in a mental ward (minor). There are also places places like a home for parahumans
Gun violence:Includes super-powered guns and bombs
Injury:So many injuries! Range from scrapes and concussions to paralysis and losing limbs and organs
Police brutality:Superpowered people making others follow rules through violence
Racism:Moderate because of the page time but there is a white supremist super power group, as well as several smaller racist intercations
Trafficking:A gang is holding and using girls as entertainment against their wills. There are people interested in buying them
Toxic relationship:All kinds! Not just romantic
This was a reread for me. I got a strong urge to reread this a little while back and since that feeling didn't want to go away, I decided to dive back into Brockton Bay. Nearly two months later and here we are! I love the world that J.C. McCrae/Wildbow created and how complex the characters are. I love how creative he gets with all the powers and explores their potentials beyond the obvious, surface level applications, particularly as the world breaks more and more and needs increasingly drastic solutions to fix all the new problems that are constantly arising. This may be a long work, but he builds everything up masterfully through the thousands of pages. Are there parts that maybe drag a bit more or feel rushed? Yes. But I think that is also think that's because of how it was originally shared. Does this take away from the enjoyment? No, not really although some parts are less interesting and may need a bit of a push to get through.
This was a reread and I found it interesting as to how my attitudes towards some of the characters changed from the first time around.
This was such a fun (and yet not fun given some of the themes) read. If you are planning on reading it, it is worth remembering that this is largely a first draft. Don't get me wrong, the chapters have clearly been edited (there are no glaring spelling or grammar errors), the continuity is great (with some lovely foreshadowing) and it works fine as a complete work (no glaring plot holes, nothing is seriously broken, etc). Just don't go in expecting 100% polished perfection. It's just a bit wordy at times and it could be cut down to make it more streamlined in parts (although the author did say this would be split into a series if he gets around to publishing it!) and some events could be fleshed out a bit more. That being said, it is a lot better than a lot of the more recent self-published (and even some (small) press, sorry!) works I've come across.
I feel like I should have something more to say about this work given how long and complex it is, but I'm going to leave it here for now. I might come back and add more at some point, but I have a lot I want to say that's difficult to put into words, at least without giving spoilers. Now onto the long list of content warnings!
Some notes on some of the content warnings (all are individually spoilered)
Animal cruelty:
Body horror:
Confinement:
Drug abuse:
Fatphobia:
Fire:
Forced institutionalisation:
Gun violence:
Injury:
Police brutality:
Racism:
Trafficking:
Toxic relationship:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Gun violence, Grief, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, War, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Torture, Toxic friendship, Forced institutionalization, and Gore
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Suicide, Trafficking, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, and Slavery
Minor: Ableism, Abandonment, Hate crime, Vomit, Genocide, Cancer, Addiction, Body shaming, Car accident, and Infidelity
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