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ewwniamh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Chronic illness, and Alcohol
yourpal'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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
lpendergran'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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
booksjessreads'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
4.25
One message of the novel that was very reflective, which is noted by the characters themselves, is how quickly people can adapt to societal attitudes. Transporting back to the slave trade in 1815 meant that Dana had to adapt to living as an enslaved woman and one message that is really dominant is the idea that it is easy to slip into those societal norms, especially in a life-or-death situation. The dialogue was written so honestly here, and I felt that frustration alongside Dana.
This book does have some hard-hitting and raw descriptions of slavery, so please read the trigger warnings. However, if you can stomach gore/slavery etc., then this is an essential read. I think Butler's prose is blunt and honest which alludes to just some of the horror of the time. It is purposefully uncomfortable to read but Butler creates such a strong and absorbing atmosphere.
One criticism I do have is mainly about the structure of the book, although I can absolutely see why it has been written this way. The chapters were very long, and split into smaller parts. Each chapter reflects a specific part of Dana's time travel and so it is understandable that the structure follows closely to Dana's experience. I did find it harder to keep going at times because of this, but the story was so engaging it didn't put me off.
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
whatcassiedid'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
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Medical content
iona_kai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
jessreadreceipts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
bisexualwentworth'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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
hcrawfo3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
kriee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Blood, Medical trauma, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Abandonment