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madkat320's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
5.0
oscarwildein's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Andrew Joseph White's writing continues to get better and better with each book that he writes. I was so genuinely surprised that this book was labeled as Y/A. With all of the swearing and some of the content and gore in this book, I genuinely think it could've been classified as adult. I think, though, while it didn't really feel like Y/A most of the time, sometimes it felt so painfully Y/A that it felt almost cheesy to me. I think that that, along with the fact that the main character's inner monologue was so on the nose is keeping me from giving this a full five-star review.
AJW has a talent of crafting some of the most relatable characters, writing down the thoughts and experiences that I fail to verbalize. I related to Silas, so desperately loving the community of womanhood, but not being able to connect to it for multiple reasons. It was so impactful to me, and I know my high school self would have felt so seen by this character. I also loved the world building, how this alternate history was built up. I think I would've liked more of a deep dive into the magic system and the world, but I understand why we didn't get that, and that Silas also didn't know much about it. I just wish we could have somehow found out more about it. I could have also done with a little more of the spooky body horror stuff, we only got a couple really freaky scenes, and I would have loved to see more, because those scenes are seared into my memory and will be for a very long time.
Parts of the ending twists were predictable for me, but the story remained fast paced and entertaining despite that and I was fully engaged with the story, I could barely put the book down at times.
All in all, this was so wonderful and AJW is a phenomenal author and I hope that one day he publishes an adult novel. But until then I will continue to pick up anything he writes.
AJW has a talent of crafting some of the most relatable characters, writing down the thoughts and experiences that I fail to verbalize. I related to Silas, so desperately loving the community of womanhood, but not being able to connect to it for multiple reasons. It was so impactful to me, and I know my high school self would have felt so seen by this character. I also loved the world building, how this alternate history was built up. I think I would've liked more of a deep dive into the magic system and the world, but I understand why we didn't get that, and that Silas also didn't know much about it. I just wish we could have somehow found out more about it. I could have also done with a little more of the spooky body horror stuff, we only got a couple really freaky scenes, and I would have loved to see more, because those scenes are seared into my memory and will be for a very long time.
Parts of the ending twists were predictable for me, but the story remained fast paced and entertaining despite that and I was fully engaged with the story, I could barely put the book down at times.
All in all, this was so wonderful and AJW is a phenomenal author and I hope that one day he publishes an adult novel. But until then I will continue to pick up anything he writes.
evelyno's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Abortion, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, Ableism, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Rape, Sexual violence, Death, and Forced institutionalization
ink_collective's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
carmenbarefield's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
solly's review against another edition
5.0
I put off reading this for *months* just because I wanted to start it when I had a few days where I could relax and inhale this as quickly as I went through Hell Followed With Us. Well, turns out I read this in a single afternoon. I loved every second of it. I can't believe that a few years ago I wouldn't have called myself a horror fan, when I am so obsessed with horror now, specifically queer/trans/disabled/marginalized in general horror. This hit so hard for me. The autistic rep was so deeply relatable, as was the trans rep. It was also delightfully gory and uncomfortable, and it's pretty hard to get me truly uncomfortable (I have the "not enough feelings/doesn't feel things strongly" autism so). It felt super tailored to my experience which is a pretty damn rare feeling to have for me.
adrien_dante's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
melist6's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Medical content, Cursing, Transphobia, Death, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Dysphoria, Mental illness, and Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
sara_reads_and_wines's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
It's hard to rate this one, because the story was so traumatic and hard to read, but the voices and experiences that this story brought to light were ones worth reading!
The trans and autism representation was so well done. This was also truly one of the top horror novels I have ever read. Just read with caution, but this one is heavy, dark, and traumatic.
The trans and autism representation was so well done. This was also truly one of the top horror novels I have ever read. Just read with caution, but this one is heavy, dark, and traumatic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Transphobia, Abortion, Body horror, Ableism, Medical trauma, and Medical content
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, and Self harm
Minor: Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, and Child abuse
disreputabledog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
4.0