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displacedcactus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
- 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
This is marketed as being for fans of Stranger Things, but I think this is bad marketing. Yes, it's about teens in the 80s and involves some supernatural elements, but it's a lot less adventurous than Stranger Things, the kids aren't gamers, and it has a split timeline between the characters as teens and as adults, and then some POV chapters from the main character's dad in the 80s. Although I see some people and sites tagging it as YA, it didn't read as such to me, more like a book for adults about teenagers. I know I would not have enjoyed it as a teen because I would have found there wasn't enough magic to balance the angst and drama. Which is not to say it was a bad book, but I'd say of the books I've read from this author, it's my least favorite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Cursing, and Bullying
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