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tessvosper's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Body horror, Stalking, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Grief, Death, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Gore, Suicide, Violence, Gaslighting, and Child death
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Rape, and Alcoholism
tigger89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
That said, there is a slight romantic distraction which felt out of place, given how strong the focus was on finding Grey. The ending of the book seemed to be leaving room for a sequel, though one hasn't been announced, so I'm especially concerned that any continuation of the story would be completely overpowered by this focus. But this is very much a personal gripe, and maybe most readers would enjoy Iris exploring her attraction! I will say that there's some excellent LGBTQ rep here, with Iris being bisexual and Vivi being a lesbian.
As for the fantasy, I believe it would appeal to readers who enjoy things on the darker side. Little uncanny glimpses were dropped in to build tension, employing images of insects, decay, and invasive growth to unsettle the reader. I wouldn't go so far as to say this is a horror novel, at least not any more than a dark fairy tale retelling is horror, but I can see the imagery getting under some readers' skin. I know I was brushing imaginary bugs off my arms sometimes as I read. As much as it got under my skin with some of the imagery, I have to say that, if I'd come across this book when I was a teen, it would've been my absolute favorite.
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Drug use, Blood, and Child death
elliottcrow'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
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Body horror, Death of parent, Violence, Vomit, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcohol
necroplasm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Blood, Mental illness, Vomit, Suicide, Body horror, Death, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexual assault, Bullying, and Stalking
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Cursing
cecinamo'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
4.75
Alsoo there is sapphic rep!!!!
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Drug use, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Gun violence, and Pedophilia
etherealisnt's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I remember everything. You just wouldn't believe me if I told you.
Grey was right, nobody would believe such an insane story, but people dig the mysterious and occult. At some point even I thought that I'd be happier if I didn't know what exactly was going on, but I also know that I'm way too curious. By the end I had a difficult time accepting all the facts, like come on, that's just plain tragic what happened.
Your life would be happier if you didn’t know.
Knowledge is power.
And ignorance is bliss.
I was pretty hopeful at the beginning and I wasn't let down per se, but some parts felt overly repeated and explained while other (
Sometimes the dialogue seemed like a part of the conversation was just cut out or the flow wasn't entirely natural, but it didn't bother me that much, I just noticed it a couple of times.
There are things in every family that are not talked about. Stories you know without really knowing how you know them, tales of terrible things that cast long shadows over generations.
Oh for sure, this shadow has been cast over these people for so long and there's a sense of knowing what is going on, but still doubting your gut feeling. I feel bad for everyone involved, all of you get therapy!
Seriously, this is one of the more shocking stories I've read. It crawls inside you and makes your skin itch. I did not want to believe until the last second - hope does cruel things to us!
Graphic: Child death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Vomit, Suicide, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Kidnapping, Medical content, Bullying, and Murder
whimsicalish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I think the only disappointment factor was the open ending. I'm not really a fan of a non solid ending.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol and Bullying
brooketreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Child death, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol
The sexual assault is marked for a couple reasons that contain spoilers:blackthornfaery's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Gore, Body horror, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Sexual assault
ajraven's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Violence and Gore
Minor: Kidnapping, Rape, Stalking, and Alcohol