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robin1010's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
The pacing was horrendous. The novel spends almost the exact same amount of time on each event that happens, regardless of how important or how much explanation this event needs.
The relationship itself also, frankly, sucks. It has all the chemistry of a dead fish. Largely because Helen is as blank as they come, but theres also no development, no time spent just getting to know them, no interaction that isn't painfully generic and could be any couple speaking to each other. It was boring reading about them.
The characters, themes, and content needed more space to breathe than such a short book gave it, and the author needed to choose a focus rather than juggling too many things at once.
Graphic: Blood, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Death
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Mental illness, Gore, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Grief, Lesbophobia, Death of parent, and Child death
marleywrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was an exciting, mysterious read, with a sweet established queer relationship. The author did a fantastic job with the world building of this story.
Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Body horror, Misogyny, Violence, Homophobia, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
bookwormbi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
seyfert's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Gore
Moderate: Death, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, and Gun violence
just_one_more_paige'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Murder, Police brutality, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Violence
emlen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, Forced institutionalization, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death, Violence, Child death, Car accident, Stalking, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Misogyny, Confinement, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
foiblesandfiction's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
The amount of world building that was developed in this short novel was incredible. I didn't expect the depth or believability that the author created, but it's there. I also really enjoyed the vulnerable and intense themes that the author explored - queer love in a time and place that found it immoral and illegal; misogyny and the imbalanced power dynamics from which women suffer; the institutionalization of women in asylums and their horrific suffering of conversion therapies.
Where this book fell short for me was the ending. To be blunt, I don't like it. Both the plot choices that the author made as well as the technicalities of how it was written. The culmination of the noir-like murder mystery was cleanly wrapped up yet the plot twist was predictable. And while Helen and Edith's relationship gave me all the feels, I was disappointed by the lack of resolution for Helen's fractured relationship with her brother.
However, please don't let these criticisms hold you back from being able to enjoy the beautiful love of this sapphic couple. They were sweet enough to make my molars ache, and I recommend this book to anyone needing a quick read to break a reading slump.
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Death, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Sexism, and Murder
wyllora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I only wish it was longer and the magic and world was more fleshed out! It was fleshed out enough for the story it was telling--but it intrigued me enough that I wish it stayed longer on the world and pieces of the mystery. If some things had been better established early on, I also think it would've captured more of the mystery staple of trying to figure out what's going on along with the characters. As it was, we're more along for the ride, but it's a nice ride, I like it.
Would love a sequel or more entries into this world!
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Death, Murder, and Homophobia
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Police brutality
stardustandrockets's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Gore
Minor: Car accident, Violence, Torture, and Murder