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m_papaya's review
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Gore, Torture, Self harm, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Child death, and Abortion
Moderate: Bullying, Addiction, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Islamophobia
kananineko's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Child death, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Blood, Self harm, Gun violence, Abortion, Physical abuse, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Racial slurs, Torture, Grief, Drug abuse, Addiction, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Suicide, and Gore
Minor: Islamophobia, War, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Cannibalism, and Cancer
dchaseb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Having several stories share the same or similar location gave me the feeling that I was entering an alternate dimension of a world I had just visited (akin to different story arcs of comics perhaps). In terms of the writing, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah has an ability to pull you in and never let go. Each new story had a sensation of being kidnapped where you hope you are never rescued. There were only a few stories that were not my favorites but the majority of them had me longing for full blown book series that take place.
"Finklestein 5" is the first story and if no one reads this entire book, everyone should at least read that one. It makes you sad, angry, ashamed, hopeful, and so much more. A relevant and riveting story focusing on race relations and the justice system. "Zimmer Land" hits on these topics as well. "Light Spitter" looks at school shootings and bullying/harassment. "Through the Flash" is a crazy Groundhog's Day type story where every day ends with an atomic bomb being dropped in a dystopian future.
A few stories gave me the vibe that I dislike with some short story collections where they feel like they are trying super hard to be incredibly allegorical or metaphorical to a point where I don't care as much. Even with that, the stories are definitely unforgettable and resonate. (I kept so little from my short descriptions because I think everyone should go in blindly like I did.
Great way to start my year of books.
Graphic: Abortion, Violence, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Bullying and Addiction
bay22's review
Graphic: Abortion, Blood, Death, Hate crime, Medical content, Torture, Violence, Cannibalism, Police brutality, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Racism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Ableism, and Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Bullying, Animal death, Classism, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Addiction, and Child abuse
Minor: Eating disorder and Fatphobia
tey_lynn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Racial slurs, Suicide, Abortion, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Cannibalism, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, and Violence