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lizzyc_16'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
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Violence, Gun violence, Cursing, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual assault
george_d_keaton'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
4.25
It was a difficult read for me. I suffer from PTSD from my time in the Marines, and the novel paints some realistic pictures of fictional tragedies. The book also describes the unending waves of crushing emotions one feels when going through intense heartache. Therapy and time are the traditional healers, but the government experiment on immigrants was both hopeful and toxic. Marisol is 17 and doesn't fully know what she is signing her life away for, which is similar to too many Marines I knew, but it does promise a better life for the subject of the experiment.
Over the course of the story, Marisol takes part of the experiment, but falls in love with the other participant, Rey. She also comes to terms with her past life in El Salvador. While the ending falls a little flat, it does provide hope for a better future for Marisol and her sister here in America. At times sweet and other times gut-wrenching, The Grief Keeper is a unique story of a young immigrant not only coming-of-age but triumphing over her past.
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Grief, and Self harm
kathsaph'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? No
4.75
This novel was personally difficult to read, but completely relevant and impactful. So many details were packed into 300 pages, all contributing to amazing character development and storytelling. The book is in the first person and often includes Spanish, I ended up looking up the words as I went along, and I recommend doing the same, it added another layer of depth. My response to "The Grief Keeper" was visceral, and although not all of the technology in the book exists, the societal views that would allow the experiment to happen do, making the book terrifying. Please check triggers before reading.
Graphic: Classism, Gun violence, Homophobia, Medical content, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Outing, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, Torture, Violence, and Sexism
Minor: Blood, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Body shaming
morganperks'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
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Xenophobia
therainbowshelf'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
I enjoyed this read quite a bit. The story flowed smoothly, and the characters were engaging. I thought the concept of transferring grief and trauma from one person to another was an interesting, though troubling, concept and it was well executed here. It was stressful seeing Marisol fall prey to unethical practices targeting vulnerable populations!
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug use, Grief, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical trauma, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Death of sibling, PTSD, flashback, battlefield trauma, explosion trauma, medical science unethically taking advantage of vulnerable populations, detention center, US immigration practicesloraora's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death, Medical trauma, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, and Homophobia