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sherri_berri's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
3.25
I only read this because there was a hot mean lesbian tbh.
Partly this is my fault for thinking this was adult fiction, not young adult, so I suppose it's no surprise that I found the writing to be juvenile and lacking nuances in interiority. I would have loved for this novel to delve deeper into the gothic and horror vibe, too. The characters felt one-dimensional, but again, atleast there was a hot mean lesbian.
Partly this is my fault for thinking this was adult fiction, not young adult, so I suppose it's no surprise that I found the writing to be juvenile and lacking nuances in interiority. I would have loved for this novel to delve deeper into the gothic and horror vibe, too. The characters felt one-dimensional, but again, atleast there was a hot mean lesbian.
tikita's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
I normally don't like it when books which are sold to me as a novel with a big focus on romance don't actually have that much romance in them. Except with a book by Laura Steven of course. I already read "The Society of Souless Girls" by her, so I knew I was going to love this one, too, but it had much less romance than I expected.
Still, it was so amazing! I loved how realistically Laura Steven portrayed Penny's struggle with her body image and eating habits. Throughout the book Penny's memories go back to her mother again and again, focusing on how she does not want to disappoint her, losing herself in wanting to make her mother proud.
Both Penny's strive to have a perfect body and get other people's acknowlegdement lead her to questionable decisions and she realises more and more that her own happiness is a lot more important.
My absolute favourite character was Catalina who always made Penny and everyone else feel so comfortable. I love her so much!
I recommend this book to everyone who wants to read a horror dark akademia book with sapphic characters and realistic representation of mental health issues!
Still, it was so amazing! I loved how realistically Laura Steven portrayed Penny's struggle with her body image and eating habits. Throughout the book Penny's memories go back to her mother again and again, focusing on how she does not want to disappoint her, losing herself in wanting to make her mother proud.
Both Penny's strive to have a perfect body and get other people's acknowlegdement lead her to questionable decisions and she realises more and more that her own happiness is a lot more important.
My absolute favourite character was Catalina who always made Penny and everyone else feel so comfortable. I love her so much!
I recommend this book to everyone who wants to read a horror dark akademia book with sapphic characters and realistic representation of mental health issues!
imacatinahat's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
wanderwithlauren's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
ohheymirandafay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
abbieuprooted's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.0
lermonysnickers's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
This is such a great take on Dorian Gray. I especially love to see that story reimaginied from a feminine perspective to explore how horrifically beauty standards cause women to destroy themselves. I assume this is a stand alone story, so I'm not super thrilled with the cliffhanger ending. Like, damn, let Penny have her peace. I can't wait to write on this retelling for my graduate studies!
real_mother_booker's review
dark
mysterious
sad
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
3.0
ashleysas's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lucianagrimm's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.5
It is not often that a book moves me to tears, but Every Exquisite Thing took ownership of my tear ducts from the first chapter.
The world of Dorian and its chilling beauty was so beautiful and also terrifying. The mystery and plot were gripping with every passing scene with a truly unpredictable ending.
I had a lot of mixed feelings about each of the characters, each of them complicated in their own ways, but Penny felt close. I have been Penny, and in some ways I still am. The formerly gifted burnt out theatre kid who is constantly terrified of what everyone else thinks, who spent years wasted on shrinking and hiding. (And who is also a shy hopeless lesbian).
I connected with her, the struggle, the battle that can be so invisible even when cameras followed her everywhere. The distance from her mother, and the ache of a childhood that disappeared too quickly, seriously this book had me feeling everything.
Thank you for her ending. I needed that. And I’m sure there’s a lot of others that need it too.
Finally, the role of portraits and mirrors was so cleverly crafted. The unexplored liminal space of what lurks behind the painted eyes that follow you around the room or the slightly dark reflection that flickers in the corner of your eye is so captivating.
I would love an origins of Dorian, the creation of the creature of beauty that the university grounds were built on.
The world of Dorian and its chilling beauty was so beautiful and also terrifying. The mystery and plot were gripping with every passing scene with a truly unpredictable ending.
I had a lot of mixed feelings about each of the characters, each of them complicated in their own ways, but Penny felt close. I have been Penny, and in some ways I still am. The formerly gifted burnt out theatre kid who is constantly terrified of what everyone else thinks, who spent years wasted on shrinking and hiding. (And who is also a shy hopeless lesbian).
I connected with her, the struggle, the battle that can be so invisible even when cameras followed her everywhere. The distance from her mother, and the ache of a childhood that disappeared too quickly, seriously this book had me feeling everything.
Thank you for her ending. I needed that. And I’m sure there’s a lot of others that need it too.
Finally, the role of portraits and mirrors was so cleverly crafted. The unexplored liminal space of what lurks behind the painted eyes that follow you around the room or the slightly dark reflection that flickers in the corner of your eye is so captivating.
I would love an origins of Dorian, the creation of the creature of beauty that the university grounds were built on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Eating disorder, and Death
Minor: Animal death and Suicide