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j_m_alexander's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
Biting, gut-punching short stories that are frighteningly sad and darkly humorous at times. Like all short story collections, this collection is a bit of a mixed bag, some nearly perfect, others falling a slightly short by comparison. The collection started and finished particularly strong - that first short story was a haunting and powerful statement to start with, the final story while similarly startling finished with more of a lingering bitter-sweetness; truly perfect choices to book-end the collection. There were a few others in the latter half that I felt really built on one another in a way I really liked as well. Adjei-Brenyah makes an undeniable impact in a short amount of pages/words, leaning toward dystopian of the rather violent variety. Not every story hits quite a perfect balance but when they do, it's a real triumph and will keep you thinking about them long afterward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
bay22's review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Eating disorder and Fatphobia