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birdieex'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I can see what the author was going for with the writing; something complicated and tangled and messy. However, there were many scenes I couldn't comprehend what was going on. I couldn't piece together where scenes started and ended or who was speaking when. I thought the
There were a lot of times where characters knew something (or thought they knew something) I didn't and it was hard for me to connect to anyone. If the intention was to make us read between the lines, I had trouble doing that; and again this could come down to my own media illiteracy. I can't grasp the motive behind the killing. It was a thrill killing, but why? Why did they suddenly decide to do this?
I couldn't figure out if they even liked each other during some parts, which I get is the point. It's toxic and codependent, but I still found myself thinking "why the hell are you even together?" because I couldn't see anything that really brought them together.
Graphic: Murder, Toxic friendship, Violence, Death, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Car accident, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Cursing, Police brutality, and Self harm
Minor: Animal death
The sexual assault is a brief detail; however it is described and could be triggering. Details under the spoiler.patriciapueyolopez'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, Violence, Emotional abuse, Death, Suicide, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, and Gore
Moderate: Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Classism
Minor: Stalking, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, and Classism
nikhocharm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Suicide, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Violence
thisisthesun's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Grief, Self harm, and Murder
paulawind's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Grief, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Eating disorder, Addiction, Toxic friendship, Violence, Murder, Self harm, Alcohol, Blood, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Car accident, Classism, Homophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
lelathecat'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? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual violence
ford_defect'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
4.0
Though, generally I'm more of a plot guy, and the plot isn't very structured (but it really doesn't have to be). This story wasn't boring as a whole, but the prose was dense and boring for me at times. I don't fault the author for it. I think it's that this type of book (character-led--and unlikable characters at that) isn't really my thing, but I have rated it higher than other books that weren't really my thing. And unlike other books that aren't my thing, I am considering getting a copy to re-read sometime in the far future.
4/5 stars
Graphic: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, Violence, Suicide attempt, Blood, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Homophobia, Grief, Antisemitism, Body shaming, and Bullying
Minor: Classism and War
pastelbread'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Homophobia, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Outing, Self harm, and Murder
Minor: Car accident and Panic attacks/disorders
ickkayleeb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, Violence, Murder, and Blood
froon's review against another edition
4.0
the writing was really rich and not too purple, in my opinion. the letters between paul and julian over the summer was a favorite moment. they showed just had badly paul misunderstood their dynamic while also being a nice lead up to the events that happened at julian’s house.
also, it was jarring to finish the great believers audiobook and going into this one. same narrator, talking about a charlie and julian. i felt like i played the wrong one for a second.
overall, nice read! i’m sorry, paul, i would’ve defended you more if you were a girl. #juliandidnothingwrong
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Murder