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maddiebennet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
I don't really know if this is a 5 stars or a 4.75, it kinda depends on the day but its been a week since I finished this and I CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT IT!! I am so unwell I can't even begin to explain it. They're so me fr
I am really inlove with Oliver Alexander and specially James, I can't fr
I am in a state of constant denial literally Oliver and James got fucking married I don't have a single doubt Im not even kidding like I just KNOW James is alive and he knows Oliver is going to find him because they know each other in a way that only them can understand. They are soulmates but they are also more than that. shut up I need like a sequel or something IM BEGGING M L RIO
I am really inlove with Oliver Alexander and specially James, I can't fr
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Alcoholism, Blood, Drug use, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
alyxandrathegr8's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Spoilers-Fine but not for me. If you liked “the secret history” you’ll like this. They are essentially the same. Notable differences are a lack of incest and instead of being obsessed with the Greeks, these kids are the obsessed with Shakespeare. Both books include incredibly absent parents or parents that don’t give the kids what they think they deserve, the person you love being in love with someone else (that person also being your friend) main characters being elite in some way, substance abuse, suicide, and an“accidental death”/murder. This book
However is set in a more realistic world with more realistic situations than in the secret history.
However is set in a more realistic world with more realistic situations than in the secret history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Alcohol, and Body shaming
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Suicide
bluejay21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Drug abuse, and Blood
lottie_wolf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Self harm, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Sexual harassment, Murder, and Homophobia
gologel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
There's almos nothing in this book I could critique without it being picky, without it being looking for a needle in a haystack - except for some characters acting - or not acting - as plausibly, logically as you might expect them to.
The drama unfolding, with every act a new aspect spinning the character's world around, the book's telling you they're doomed and you watch the horror unfold more and more.
Do I think that the ending is a shocking plottwist? No.
But the ending is such a great tragedy that I was completely - emotionally and physically - captured, the kind of tragedy I long for. A defeaning applause would resound as the actors depart.
The drama unfolding, with every act a new aspect spinning the character's world around, the book's telling you they're doomed and you watch the horror unfold more and more.
Do I think that the ending is a shocking plottwist? No.
But the ending is such a great tragedy that I was completely - emotionally and physically - captured, the kind of tragedy I long for. A defeaning applause would resound as the actors depart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Drug abuse, Murder, Blood, Cursing, Alcohol, Addiction, and Suicide
Minor: Homophobia and Vomit
sophie8's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A reread for me, and one of my favourite books. I absolutely love it, and would reccomend it to anyone who likes to read, no background Shakespeare knowledge needed. It's so easy to get into, the dynamics are addictive, it will make you laugh, break your heart, and on the second read through you can truly appreciate the equisite foreshadowing and literary parallels. The prose is beautiful, while still being perfectly readable, and the characters make speaking in Shakespeare quotes actually seem fun, witty and amusing. Could read it back to back no problem!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Gore, Alcohol, and Drug abuse
Minor: Violence, Suicide, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Grief
The only bit I'd call 'gore' is when they find *you know who's* dead body, but it's pretty graphic! Also, Meredith is slut shamed several times, which I've listed as sexism.veliana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Grief, Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Vomit, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Violence
ms_sarah621's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If you love Shakespeare and poetic writing, then this will be perfect for you. I cannot believe how beautifully written this book is. The language and word choice alone is five stars. Also, references to pop culture and the “real world” is so difficult to do well in books. All of the Shakespeare, the plays themselves, the way the group talks to each other, and how lines from the plays are used like casual speech is so incredibly well done. It flows so well and creates this deeply poetic story and complex relationships. Another point, how well these characters are fleshed out and their relationships with each other. Everything is so complex and even vague at times. However, you care so much for these characters and what is happening to them. You want to know everything about them and what they mean to each other, no matter how messy things get between them. The only thing that brought my rating down slightly was that this is a slow paced character driven book. So, at times, I struggled to pick it up. Yet, the story is so incredibly written and poetic that you want to keep reading and be emerged in the tragic world that was created. A must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Drug use, and Grief
Moderate: Body horror
kathyovalle01's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I have absolutely no words for this book. My jaw was on the floor most of the time and that ending was everything to me. I love how the author leaves things up to you to figure out. And the writing was so freaking beautiful. I’m not a Shakespeare expert or anything and it was not a problem for me in the book, but if you want to enter this book a little bit more prepared read: Romeo and Juliet, hamlet, king Lear, Caesar and Pericles, I think those are the most relevant to the story. I loved these characters and the story, they will live in my heart forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Alcohol
charliewarliee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book- This book is honestly one of the best pieces of literature I have consumed in my life. I adored this book, the tension it built so magnificently, the descriptions, the plays. I love how it builds everything up, but everything still goes so fast and smoothly. The layout of ‘Acts’ and ‘Scenes’ made my theatre loving heart cry out! This book needs so much more attention than it already has.
also i’m sorry but James and Oliver’s relationship was SO HEARTWARMING AND CUTE AHHHHHH!
the twist at the end actually made my jaw drop to the floor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, Sexual content, Eating disorder, Gore, Suicide, Drug use, Murder, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Violence, and Self harm
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual harassment