Scan barcode
carolinemb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Alcoholism, Slavery, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Alcohol, Car accident, Child death, Rape, Trafficking, Violence, Addiction, Drug use, and Sexual assault
jessica_lam's review against another edition
2.5
While Kapoor is a good writer, the story is so dark that it's hard to push through without coming up for breath so if you're looking for something to get you out of a reading rut, this isn't it. Issues tackled include sexual violence, class, an excessive amount of drugs and alcohol, gentrification, land use, murder, etc. It's so dark as to be predictable - of course the worst case scenario is going to happen, especially if the character in person is destitude.
I also know you're supposed to feel some sort of sympathy for Sunny given the extensive chapters from his perspective (surprise: there's bystander trauma because of course the actual violence happens to the unnamed poor) and I just... don't (even Neda, to some extent, I get exhausted by). It's tough to when there are so few redeeming moments for these characters. It's honestly just a long way down of bearing witness to depravity. Blech.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Murder, and Alcoholism
bodiesinbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Cursing, Fatphobia, Confinement, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Vomit, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Car accident, Child death, Blood, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Murder
deagaric'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved the unpredictable story line and the family saga aspect of the tale. Though I strongly recommend glancing at the trigger warnings before starting this book (the continued rape and sodomy of a minor is very explicit and highly disturbing and I genuinely wish I had skipped reading those chapters), Kapoor also adds in details about the strengths of human bonds and the need for secure attachment to others even when raised around violence and neglect. Quite a few comedic moments as well, particularly from Sunny's assistant, Eli, towards the end.
I also liked learning about India's geography and spent a decent amount of time googling up the places so I can imagine the setting more clearly. The author was born and raised in northern India and I think brings a special expertise to capturing it as a backdrop to the story.
The reason I give this a 4 rather than 5 is the weird pacing; it'll be 100mph for dozens of pages, and then slow down into a school-zone pace for a 100 more. Particularly around the point of Book/Section 3 and 4, the story became a slog, and took willpower to push through to the end. I assume a lot of the seemling unnecessary backstory will become important in the second and third book of this trilogy, so keeping my eyes peeled for that!
Graphic: Violence, Alcohol, Gore, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Addiction, Murder, Car accident, Drug abuse, Gun violence, and Blood
Minor: Child abuse, Abortion, Torture, and Death of parent
spongebobbiii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Violence, Murder, Gun violence, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
dan047's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Car accident, Cursing, Physical abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Rape, Trafficking, Drug use, Violence, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Alcoholism, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
eringl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Rape, Murder, Gun violence, Drug use, Torture, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Car accident, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Addiction
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Medical content, and Abortion
kdagley14'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
3.5
Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Animal death, Car accident, Alcoholism, Death, Murder, Sexual content, Slavery, Trafficking, and Violence
amydunning's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Trafficking, Rape, Drug abuse, Abortion, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, and Alcoholism
kmaron'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Drug abuse, and Gun violence