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missallypants'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
4.0
Moderate: Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Mental illness
red_headed_book_slut's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Suicide, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Rape
emptzuu's review against another edition
This critique extends to every character in the book. The tired trope of "I'm so special and different from everyone, but also the best at everything, yet somehow overlooked by all" was painfully cliché. It might have been believable a decade ago in middle school, but in reality, nobody behaves like that. The notion that someone consistently commands the attention of every room they enter without any plausible reason is simply unrealistic. Such exaggerated portrayals detract from the authenticity of the narrative and disrupt the reader's immersion in the story.
I don't believe that any of Vanessa's experiences were her responsibility, nor do I think her choice of staying silent on the matter was a fault of hers given the obvious trauma the relationship must have dealt. But just because someone is a victim of a predatory relationship does not mean they can't be likable as a person. Vanessa is someone I can't relate to on any level.
Regarding the handling of sensitive themes, I strongly believe that the author's insertion of graphic content was unnecessary and could potentially traumatize readers. While I understand the importance of depicting trauma realistically, I found it distressing to be inside the mind of a character who seemed to revel in experiences I found repulsive.
The author has admitted that, at age 16 when she started writing this novel, she viewed her story through a romantic lens, influenced by narratives that glorified relationships between older men and younger women. She also admits that she has read Lolita. It wasn't until exposure to discussions about sexual trauma on platforms like Tumblr that she recognized the abusive nature of such dynamics. Given the author's acknowledgment of being inspired by Lolita, a novel she once perceived as romantic, it becomes evident that her personal experiences with sexual abuse and literary influences heavily shaped the narrative. This revelation about her mindset during the book's creation led me to question the author's intentions and respect for her work.
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia
allison_j's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual assault
blasfeminin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, and Adult/minor relationship
ankita1996's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
camigz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
bridget_magpie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Rape, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use
Minor: Death of parent and Suicide
alexandramallia's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Suicide
errie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Stalking, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Alcohol, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship