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beforeviolets's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I'm going to steal a quote from my dear friend Rach, who was kind enough to gift me this book:
"How do I talk about a book which felt like it had torn open my chest and stared into my soul?"
This book terrified me. This book tore me open and picked apart every ounce of myself and broke it all down. I cried countless times reading this.
I can't put my thoughts into too many words out of fear of ruining the magic for those that have not had the opportunity to dig their claws into this masterpiece yet but this is easily the most beautiful and most touching story I've ever read.
<i> "...To my fellow lonely creatures out there, waiting patiently in the dark... Are you there? I hope you're listening." </i>
"How do I talk about a book which felt like it had torn open my chest and stared into my soul?"
This book terrified me. This book tore me open and picked apart every ounce of myself and broke it all down. I cried countless times reading this.
I can't put my thoughts into too many words out of fear of ruining the magic for those that have not had the opportunity to dig their claws into this masterpiece yet but this is easily the most beautiful and most touching story I've ever read.
<i> "...To my fellow lonely creatures out there, waiting patiently in the dark... Are you there? I hope you're listening." </i>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Self harm, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism
garibae's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book was a huge disappointment. I expected a cheesy romance with an accidental wedding trope and instead got a mess of a book that made me angrier with every turning page.
I disliked every single character in this book. The author diversity-dropped at every possible turn, piling up oppression after oppression and turning what could have been a fun trope-y book into an exhausting read.
Every friendship in the book is toxic, Grace's relationship with her parents is abusive, and the "romantic" storyline is painful to follow between two caricatures of a character. The mentions of mental health were beyond problematic (calling people "feral" and "things" when they are in the hospital for mental health issues) and the fetishisation of minority groups was nauseating.
Perhaps what irked me most, however, was the word "monster" (a word triggering for many people in the lgbtq+ community) and how the author attempted to romanticize it.
I disliked every single character in this book. The author diversity-dropped at every possible turn, piling up oppression after oppression and turning what could have been a fun trope-y book into an exhausting read.
Every friendship in the book is toxic, Grace's relationship with her parents is abusive, and the "romantic" storyline is painful to follow between two caricatures of a character. The mentions of mental health were beyond problematic (calling people "feral" and "things" when they are in the hospital for mental health issues) and the fetishisation of minority groups was nauseating.
Perhaps what irked me most, however, was the word "monster" (a word triggering for many people in the lgbtq+ community) and how the author attempted to romanticize it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
Wow. I absolutely loved this book. An incredible debut. I read this book quite quickly. It was such an enticing read. I loved the characters - their strengths, their flaws, their relationships. It was a difficult read at some points. It brought up some personal things for me. While I could never, ever fully relate to Grace and the racism she experiences, the familial issues she has, I fully related to so many of her struggles with perfectionism and anxiety. I laughed, I cried. I would highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, and Self harm
Minor: Death of parent
samantha_nicole_e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
saratonin_stories's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
The way the story is weaved is beautiful. As a 23 year old just coming out of academia I have never related more to a book. It discusses heavy topics with care and eloquence, while still showing how messy it can be to experience all of it. I highly recommend listening to the book because it will bring to life the stories of lonely creatures, the podcast that Yuki brings to life in parallel with the story of Grace Porter. I hope everyone will dive into the beauty of this story. I wish I was a good enough writer to capture the beauty of this story and how much I love it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Self harm
aseel_reads's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
SO MANY FEELS. i cried during the middle and then used all my will power to not cry later on.
i thoroughly enjoyed this. i was a bit worried about all the hard topics this book dealt with but i think they were covered in a way where you felt the pain but you were not dragged through every excruciating moment, reliving it with MC. i liked the intersectionality of the book, dealing with the different identities and troubles it comes with. i liked emphasis on seeking professional for mental health/trauma, it was done in such a refreshing way. i really related to Grace tbh. the romance was super cute but a tad rushed and i liked all the friendships and found family.
i thoroughly enjoyed this. i was a bit worried about all the hard topics this book dealt with but i think they were covered in a way where you felt the pain but you were not dragged through every excruciating moment, reliving it with MC. i liked the intersectionality of the book, dealing with the different identities and troubles it comes with. i liked emphasis on seeking professional for mental health/trauma, it was done in such a refreshing way. i really related to Grace tbh. the romance was super cute but a tad rushed and i liked all the friendships and found family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
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