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rely's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, War, Grief, Gun violence, Torture, Child death, Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Cancer, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Rape
minapea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, Suicide, Rape, Torture, and Sexual assault
caoimhemia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Torture, Violence, Suicide, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Death, Murder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Injury/Injury detail
sequelmage's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape
anexcessofebooks's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
I liked it up until the end and would have rated it 4+. It was weird AF throughout, which was fine/appealing, but there are just too many things that are irreconcilable. Biggest gripe is
It's clearly setup for a sequel, but I don't think I'll pick it up.
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Torture
cassie7e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Murder, Torture, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Gore, Rape, and Gun violence
Minor: Car accident, Homophobia, and Death of parent
cigarete_smoke'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
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal death, Sexual assault, and Death
jodar's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
I found the characters were well portrayed, the MC relatable (despite getting pretty extreme psychologically), the dialogue flowed naturally and the plot moved along at a moderate pace without bogging down. There’s even some nicely pitched humour, particularly aimed against the foibles and excesses of Americans. The story is well-grounded, too, even though at various times the reader is confronted by a wide-sweeping, multiple-time-and-space viewpoint. I kept wanting to pick up the book again each time, which is a good sign.
Themes that for me lifted this novel above a simple “fun read”: the dark side of power, especially power over others’ welfare and lives; friendship and authentic love; true versus apparent strength; the search for meaning; the ultimate mystery of existence.
An impressive first novel by the author. I’d be keen to read any sequel, as the ending hinted there may be.
Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Physical abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Suicide, Cursing, and Sexual assault
Minor: Car accident and Vomit
epruta's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Violence, Self harm, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Gaslighting, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Animal death, Physical abuse, Rape, Emotional abuse, Torture, Blood, Gore, Gun violence, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry
jkauffman503'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
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Body horror, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Cursing, and Death of parent