Scan barcode
breew's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Fatphobia
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
kaleidoscope_heart'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? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Fatphobia and Suicide attempt
wren_rainbow's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
constellation_library's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a good read, but not my favorite of the series by far. I think it probably ranks just above Across the Green Grass Fields, which is my least favorite of the bunch. The story was definitely different from what we usually read, which I do think was a nice change up, but some of the characters were really annoying to me, which made it hard for me to care about them, and the logic the MC was using was so flawed from the start, that I just could not buy into it. There was also flippant discussion of suicide, which while I feel that it was necessary and drove a point home that needed driven there, it still made me super uncomfy. There was also a lot of fatphobia from characters adjacent to the MC, and even though it was addressed and addressed well, it was incessant and was just difficult to read over and over again.
The atmosphere was well done, the story's pace moved right along, and the plot was enough to maintain my interest. I listened to it on audiobook and the four hour length was nice and snappy. I was also pleased to see some familiar faces apart from the MC in the story, and I am excited to see what the next adventure is for the Wayward children.
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
booksthatburn'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? It's complicated
5.0
Cora is a mermaid even if her scales aren't on the outside right now, but because of some previous events she's currently a mermaid who is having trouble being in the water. The stress of this drives her to think that being severed from both the Drowned Gods and from her Trenches-derived mermaid nature altogether might be better than having both and being haunted by nightmares. She's fat and comfortable in her own skin, the descriptions of fatphobia in the narrative are about how other people are seeing her and assuming things, and she's rejecting those assertions. Fatphobia is just one facet of the food control at Whitethorn, but it's the one she feels most keenly.
Cora doesn’t get to know the other girls very well and that feels purposeful in the narrative. No one at the school is there to bond, they’re there to forget and break in a way that fits the Academy’s version of the world. This gradually changes, especially once a new student appears and they both run into Regan (the protagonist of ACROSS THE GREEN GRASS FIELDS).
The world of Whitethorn Academy is at least partly modeled after “conversion therapy”, which is a euphemist term for the practice of emotionally and physically torturing people (usually children) until they stop exhibiting some “undesirable” behavior (specifically that of being queer). At Whitethorn, the undesirable behavior is anything having to do with the doors. There are a lot of little subtle things that I appreciate about this manner of worldbuilding, but due to what it’s copying a detailed description would likely be very triggering. The big one I will comment on is that Cora notices that almost all the faculty were former Whitethorn students, because the way in which the school breaks them makes them detached from their doors but also ill-suited for the normal world outside. There’s a lot of little things like that which make for a chilling read, forming a complete vision of a place which takes pleasure in breaking children, but told in a way that makes it clear at every moment that this is a horrible thing.
This continues Cora’s story from her appearances in previous books, as well as showing Regan who was introduced in ACROSS THE GREEN GRASS FIELDS. There's a new storyline which revolves around the continuing effects on Cora from her time spent with the Drowned Gods, and her attempt to break their hold by going to Whitethorn. A big thing is introduced and resolved, but this was just the introduction for Whitethorn Academy and I’m sure we’ll get more in the future. It set up a lot of fascinating things about that school and the contrast between their mission and Eleanor’s. Cora is a new narrator in the series and her voice is distinct from the previous ones. This book is a turning point in the series and might be a bit much for someone to try and start here. It relies in a basic understanding of the doors and why someone might want to either return or forget, so it’s definitely better to start with the first book instead. The ending is well done, with a bittersweet mix of triumph and terror. I'm very excited for whatever's next, this introduced several new characters and I'd love to see their doors.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Eating disorder, Violence, Blood, and Suicide attempt
TW for strong similarities to conversion therapy.megj23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Bullying and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Blood and Suicide attempt
aberdonian67'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
whitedaylilies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Bullying, Forced institutionalization, and Suicide attempt
caidyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Fatphobia and Gaslighting
Moderate: Eating disorder