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embargo'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is definitely a horror novel that relies on the tension of the inevitable. It's pretty obvious where everything is heading, but the buildup is done methodically. The pay off feels natural in a way I wouldn't have thought would be possible if just describing the premise of the book. It feels less like a "how could they?", where the horror is directed at the MC and more of a "well of course", where the horror is directed at the culture that has led her to this moment. It's upsetting, but it doesn't feel like a sideshow, which is often my issue with body horror.
If you're the type of horror reader who likes to dissect the themes and symbolism more than you like the scares, this might be one to check out.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Rape, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Bullying, Eating disorder, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Body horror, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Okay, a lot of CWs on this one. In order to give info without spoiling too broadly, I'll split the spoilers into a few groups: Violence and Gore, Mental Health, and Sex Violence and Gore, major spoiler for end of the book:lexiesophocli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Gore, Medical content, Body horror, Blood, Self harm, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Addiction, Drug use, Abortion, and Car accident
frogggirl2'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? No
4.5
From a storytelling perspective, the friend/girlfriend's letters detracted from the depth of the story and its momentum.
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, and Sexism
librarysage'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Blood, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Adult/minor relationship
jaimeelou's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Self harm
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Medical content, and Sexual assault
porshainielsen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I was also surprised by the amount of reviews commenting on how disgusting the body horror was, but this was quite tame. Maybe people were drawn to the story of mermaids and didn't expect any true horror elements, even though they were pretty mild.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
lyrelyre's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, and Self harm
leanne_miron's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Toxic friendship, Blood, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Body horror, Medical content, Body shaming, and Adult/minor relationship
kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Body horror, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Blood, Body shaming, Pedophilia, Medical content, Toxic friendship, and Xenophobia
kspotts2010's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Eating disorder, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Blood, Rape, Dysphoria, Sexual assault, Bullying, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship