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rwoodnutt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual violence, Murder, Rape, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexism, Violence, Misogyny, Gore, Drug use, and Blood
alisiakae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
However, there were too many things about this story that bothered me. The gender binary for one, and the complete erasure of people who are trans, non-binary, genderqueer, etc. They were completely ignored in this world apart from some references to people with "chromosomal abnormalities" (why can't she just use the word intersex?). In fact, many of the discussions of gender in the novel seem to fall back on transphobic gender discourse and conflation of gender and biological sex.
I also take issue with a white, non-Muslim author using the "liberation" of Saudi Arabian women as a plot device. It felt very much like a Western perspective applied to a culture that is not the author's own.
Overall, I'm glad I read it, but I was really hoping for more.
Graphic: Sexism, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Transphobia, Trafficking, and Torture
kryskross's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Rape, Violence, War, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Abandonment, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Trafficking, and Addiction
kimveach's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Trafficking, Cursing, Stalking, Sexism, Bullying, Genocide, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Toxic friendship, Torture, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Addiction, Death, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Blood, Misogyny, Physical abuse, War, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Violence, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Vomit
curious_susurrus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: War, Physical abuse, Blood, Body horror, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Gore, Murder, Rape, Torture, Trafficking, Confinement, Death, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Body horror, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Racial slurs, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Blood, Colonisation, Homophobia, and Child death
jojopotato'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? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed the four main characters and following their story from chapter to chapter. Alderman is truly an incredible story teller and this book completely pulled me in and captured my attention. I could not stop telling people about how it made me think and reflect and almost see the world a bit differently.
Graphic: War, Gore, Body horror, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
elllav's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Suicide, Rape, Murder, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexism, War, and Misogyny
vrhayes08's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Violence, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Torture, and Gore
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Genocide, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Fire/Fire injury
kys831'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Torture, Religious bigotry, Hate crime, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Kidnapping, and Genocide
jasbah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexism, Rape, Sexual violence, War, Torture, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Drug use, Medical trauma, Blood, and Gore
Minor: Trafficking and Child death