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turning_every_paige's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Domestic abuse
strabbyfieldz's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
some parts of this book made me want to cry because I had no other way to express how I feel, it was such a strange overwhelming feeling of connection to an idea to a person to a theme that it hurt in a way. but then other parts jarred with me, especially spencer's plot line... why did the book frame him becoming a landlord as a good thing??? also idk something about Francis and his narrative felt strange in that he only really came into focus at the end. BUT that being said I got so absorbed that my eyes now sting from reading for like 3 hrs lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Chronic illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Medical content, and Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, Classism, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Bullying and Emotional abuse
innerweststreetlibrarian's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This feels less like a novel and more like an observation of the intersecting lives of the characters over a period of time. The presence and fear of the serpent is pervasive, it changes people’s behaviour and impacts the way they live their lives. The writing is excellent, the narrative interesting enough to be unpredictable and it held my attention, but not engrossing enough to read it fast. I could have happily read a chapter a month and kept pace with the passage of time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Medical content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, Sexual content, Chronic illness, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse and Infidelity
rieviolet's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
I went into the book not really knowing what to expect (it's a book that I've seen recommended many times and wanted to give it a try) and now that I've finished it I can say that it was a nice enough read and clearly well written and researched but it just fell a bit flat for me in terms of story.
Unfortunately, I did not care much about the two main characters and their relationship and I was more intrested in the various side characters, their portrayal and plot lines. Also, on various occasions, the
choices and actions made by the characters left me very perplexed and just felt a bit out of place.
Overall, I quite appreciated the writing stlye/prose, although there were some segments where the author narrated in a sort of sequence each characters' progress within the story and those parts I found a bit dragging.
Also, I didn't particularly enjoy the detailed description of injuries and medical procedures, maybe they seem quite tame for many people but I am squeamish and so I found it really difficult to go through those parts.
Unfortunately, I did not care much about the two main characters and their relationship and I was more intrested in the various side characters, their portrayal and plot lines. Also, on various occasions, the
choices and actions made by the characters left me very perplexed and just felt a bit out of place.
Overall, I quite appreciated the writing stlye/prose, although there were some segments where the author narrated in a sort of sequence each characters' progress within the story and those parts I found a bit dragging.
Also, I didn't particularly enjoy the detailed description of injuries and medical procedures, maybe they seem quite tame for many people but I am squeamish and so I found it really difficult to go through those parts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Medical content
Moderate: Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, and Sexual content
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Body shaming, and Sexual violence
nnniro411's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I am unsure how to feel about this book. I think if I was trying to read it I wouldn't have been able to get through it. Even listening to the audiobook was a struggle. It was a bizarre story that I wish had more action. Honestly I think I went into it thinking this was going to be more of an creature searching adventure when in reality it was much more slower paced with more of a metaphorical plot than an actual creature. I tuned out a lot listening to this and still feel completely at a loss on what I think of this book.
It honestly feels more like a book I would have been forced to read for English in high school than a book I would have read on my own.
It honestly feels more like a book I would have been forced to read for English in high school than a book I would have read on my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Infidelity
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
phantomgecko's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.5
This book was slow for me. It's largely character driven, so that makes sense, but I thought it spidered out to too many different characters. Each perspective certainly brought something interesting to the story, but I feel like several could've been passed over. There was just a lot in this book: science vs religion (and insisting they can coexist), socialism, superstition, domestic violence, infidelity, unrequited love, symbolism, mystery.
The end, however, is what really got me. Each storyline, though not concluded, is tidily wrapped. Except the two main characters. There is only implication and nothing definite. Maybe that's the best way to leave things: with ambiguity and a sense of unfinished business. The reader gets to decide what happens next.
The end, however, is what really got me. Each storyline, though not concluded, is tidily wrapped. Except the two main characters. There is only implication and nothing definite. Maybe that's the best way to leave things: with ambiguity and a sense of unfinished business. The reader gets to decide what happens next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Domestic abuse
Graphic description of surgery Implied child molestationelzibub's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Ableism
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Dementia, Grief, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Medical trauma
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
evmb_c's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
What I actually thought would be a fantasy book was in fact just a historical fiction.
The book essentially follows Cora, a brand new widow, in the journey she goes on for the year after her husband died. It involves the people she meets and how all their lives intersect.
This is a story which people & characters are at the core. You follow the main group of characters through their year and really get an insight into their lives and what makes each tick.
There’s romance, adventure, tragedy & death - all the things that make up a real life.
It was a bit slow to begin with but after the first 100 pages I got used the the writing style and found myself really consuming the book.
It’s lots of different romances at play I found myself I tricked to who may end up with who.
I did think though that I really couldn’t actually tell you what this book is about 😂 I think it’s maybe one of those ones which means something different to everyone who reads it.
Sometimes very descriptive which I found hard to follow as I really am not someone who pictures things easily in their heads.
TW: spousal death, infidelity, suicidal intent and attempt via hanging
The book essentially follows Cora, a brand new widow, in the journey she goes on for the year after her husband died. It involves the people she meets and how all their lives intersect.
This is a story which people & characters are at the core. You follow the main group of characters through their year and really get an insight into their lives and what makes each tick.
There’s romance, adventure, tragedy & death - all the things that make up a real life.
It was a bit slow to begin with but after the first 100 pages I got used the the writing style and found myself really consuming the book.
It’s lots of different romances at play I found myself I tricked to who may end up with who.
I did think though that I really couldn’t actually tell you what this book is about 😂 I think it’s maybe one of those ones which means something different to everyone who reads it.
Sometimes very descriptive which I found hard to follow as I really am not someone who pictures things easily in their heads.
TW: spousal death, infidelity, suicidal intent and attempt via hanging
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Death
Moderate: Infidelity
kirstyreads's review
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I found the narrative a refreshing read on how overall women don't need to be at home looking after the men of the house and that it's normal to have their own dreams. Cora demonstrates this with the feeling of freedom once the passing of her husband has happened.
A little difficult to keep up with the characters if you're not paying attention but an enjoyable read.
A little difficult to keep up with the characters if you're not paying attention but an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
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