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jamie_reads_stuff'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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body horror, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Blood, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Transphobia, Medical content, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
thebakersbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's odd to call such a dreamlike book relatable, but the main character of Freshwater was easy to connect to even when her specific struggles weren't ones I'd experienced. Ada's exploration of gender and sexuality were particularly special to me as someone with similar experiences. I'd be remiss not to mention that intersections of cultural and sexual/gender identity are unique to those who live them; as a white U.S.ian reader, I'm sure much of the nuance of being Black, Nigerian, an immigrant, etc. AND queer went over my head. That didn't diminish my enjoyment of reading it at all, and I hope will add to the richness of the experience for readers who do share those identities as well.
Freshwater is a short book but not necessarily a quick read; it grapples with a number of serious topics including rape, trauma, and grief. Nevertheless, the hints of magic and myth, whether real or allegorical, add a bit of lightness and much-needed distance from events that happen to Ada. There is joy amidst the pain that overshadows much of Ada's life, and the payoff when she eventually begins to understand herself more and come into her own feels like its own kind of magic. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time, a standout as both a literary work and a fantasy novel. I highly recommend this book to adult readers.
Content notes: accidental child injury (graphic); self-harm throughout; rape; eating disorder/anorexia; abusive relationships; drug use; alcohol addiction; gender dysphoria; outing a trans character; mild/brief homophobia; child sexual assault; suicide attempt
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Transphobia, Outing, and Dysphoria
nicoleisalwaysreading'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
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Racism and Dysphoria
froggybooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
the only issue i had with this book is simply how many times i got frustrated at there being no simple translation for the igbo and it ruined my immersion. but i love it and it wouldn’t be right without it
Graphic: Eating disorder, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
laynemandros'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? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
jkbrx'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
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Dysphoria
jzarin98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, and Dysphoria
martinza'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
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Eating disorder and Dysphoria
prismatical'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
2.5
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Dysphoria
lycheejelly'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Homophobia, Misogyny, Vomit, and Dysphoria
Minor: Pedophilia, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Outing