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lucianagrimm's review
- 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
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.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Eating disorder, and Death
Minor: Animal death and Suicide
styxx's review
- 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
3.5
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Animal death, Alcohol, Body shaming, Death, Grief, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
Minor: Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Murder, Drug use, and Sexual content
book0logy'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
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Murder, Death, Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Fatphobia, Suicide, Grief, and Toxic friendship
not_asha01'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
4.75
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Murder, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Addiction, Blood, Animal death, and Death
atlastheninth's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"He said he'd been born with this impossible gift, and he wanted to use it to shape the world. To make gods of mortals."
When I heard sapphic Dorian Gray retelling I was sold. And I did have a nice time.
"Empowerment was just a pretty lie we'd been sold to keep us feeling good about the sacrifices we made day after day. Life after Life."
Graphic: Animal death, Addiction, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
kissmelicia's review against another edition
4.5
Minor: Animal death and Animal cruelty