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swalk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
An intimate and immersive view into a small window of a young womanβs life, as she strives to carry on after a traumatic event, struggling with the meaningless rigmarole of daily life. Her armour, a facade of make-up and clothes, using her memory of how it is to be normal as a template for surviving this experience. She forges a relationship with a similarly injured woman which culminates in a situation she could never have imagined.
I thought this was a wonderfully considered account of personal trauma, followed by the emptiness of depression. It really resonated with me and Iβm sure it will, with many women. I found it quite hard to listen to in places, but thatβs how trauma is. I loved the dark twist at the end and the metaphor of the phantom. I was never quite sure where it was going to go, which kept it exciting. Overall a fantastic read.
Dead Animals is insightful, violent, beautiful and lonely.
The narrator was truly excellent, she made this audiobook giving you a connection with the protagonist and a visceral link to their emotion.
I thought this was a wonderfully considered account of personal trauma, followed by the emptiness of depression. It really resonated with me and Iβm sure it will, with many women. I found it quite hard to listen to in places, but thatβs how trauma is. I loved the dark twist at the end and the metaphor of the phantom. I was never quite sure where it was going to go, which kept it exciting. Overall a fantastic read.
Dead Animals is insightful, violent, beautiful and lonely.
The narrator was truly excellent, she made this audiobook giving you a connection with the protagonist and a visceral link to their emotion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
pink_moon96's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Animal death
abception's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Vomit
Minor: Abandonment, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Animal death, and Body shaming
kadbee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
- 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
4.25
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton + NetGalley for the ARC.
The cover and description of this book drew me in and the mysterious hauntings and narrator kept me hooked. A queer relationship with even queerer happenings was intriguing to read.
I wish the book was longer to see more development or aftermath of thetoxic relationship between our narrator and Helene,as unfortunately for me the final two chapters feel rushed, not as fleshed out as they could have been. The build up is slow and intense, the quick sudden ending leaves an unsatisfying taste in ones mouth.
Other than that I really enjoyed this, the narrator is a really well written, interesting character with obvious flaws and weaknesses that add to her identity, which may be overlooked if written by someone else. .
The cover and description of this book drew me in and the mysterious hauntings and narrator kept me hooked. A queer relationship with even queerer happenings was intriguing to read.
I wish the book was longer to see more development or aftermath of the
Other than that I really enjoyed this, the narrator is a really well written, interesting character with obvious flaws and weaknesses that add to her identity, which may be overlooked if written by someone else. .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Animal death
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Violence
frozenheartv's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
3.75 stars
ππππ
ππππ
Thanks NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton Audio publisher, and the authors for a great advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!
π§ My thoughts
The book was concise, interesting, and pretty straightforward to listen to. I like the fact that the protagonist was nameless which could mean that both she and the world see herself as insignificant or she is a character that could represent any girl (or people identified as female) out there who is in the same situation. I also liked the vagueness of reality and not-reality. We could never be sure what was real and what wasnβt or what was in her head and what really happened. The ridiculous patriarchal world was depicted very nicely as well. I also liked that the author tried to deliver the message that domestic abuse can happen in any kind of relationship.
π What I like
- Interesting and concise story
- Contemporary view on popular topics
π What I don't like
- Some parts felt forceful
- Some parts can be delved deeper but left shallow
- Iβm not sure if all of the horror parts are necessary
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Vomit
alexutzu's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, the author and the narrator for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
A quick but dark novel that leaves some lingering feelings, focusing on the line between sanity/mind clarity and mental health struggles provoked by abuse and manipulation, as well as on how society perceives these matters.
π The good:
Short, but packed with depth, exploring toxic human relationships. The literary style and main character's perspective, narrated in an accurate way, were rather engaging and suitable to the tone of the book.
π The not-so-good:
The novel is heavy in style at times, making me lose focus on the key events and feelings of the main character. It was so short that it lacked some substance in some of the parts, and the ending was not as strongly executed as expected.
A quick but dark novel that leaves some lingering feelings, focusing on the line between sanity/mind clarity and mental health struggles provoked by abuse and manipulation, as well as on how society perceives these matters.
π The good:
Short, but packed with depth, exploring toxic human relationships. The literary style and main character's perspective, narrated in an accurate way, were rather engaging and suitable to the tone of the book.
π The not-so-good:
The novel is heavy in style at times, making me lose focus on the key events and feelings of the main character. It was so short that it lacked some substance in some of the parts, and the ending was not as strongly executed as expected.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual assault, and Animal death
theaceofpages's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Our unnamed narrator wakes up covered in bruises after a party. She doesn't remember much, but she remembers a man. She soon meets Helene, another woman he hurt who wants to get vengeance for them both.
I'm not quite sure how to feel about this one. On one hand I loved the exploration of abuse and the struggles that young people face. I enjoyed the blurring between what is real and what isn't (sometimes it wasn't clear which side of the line things fell) and the exploration of the complexity of relationshi0ps and pain and struggles. But at the same time I was hoping for something a little more. Sometimes I wished the author delved into certain scenes or events a little more. While they do all contribute to who our narrator is and why she is how she is, I think some interactions had less of an impact on the story than others and could have had more done with them. I especially wished for more when it came to the ending, which was rushed and a little vague.I'm not sure how intentional it was, but something felt off about Helene from the start. I could never really get into their relationship - something just felt wrong and I found myself disliking her more and more as the book went on. Maybe that had some kind of effect on how I perceived things? I did, however, feel bad for our narrator who seems to be surrounded by terrible people and doesn't really seem to have much good going on.
If you enjoy audiobooks I would definitely recommend reading this book in audiobook form. The first person perspective really lends itself to that (although the start is in second person. I'm glad it changed - I think I would struggle to read a whole book in that point of view). The narrator also did a phenomenal job. The somewhat deadpan (but not emotionless) tone enhances the experience - it is definitely a common way in which people talk about their trauma.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
I'm not quite sure how to feel about this one. On one hand I loved the exploration of abuse and the struggles that young people face. I enjoyed the blurring between what is real and what isn't (sometimes it wasn't clear which side of the line things fell) and the exploration of the complexity of relationshi0ps and pain and struggles. But at the same time I was hoping for something a little more. Sometimes I wished the author delved into certain scenes or events a little more. While they do all contribute to who our narrator is and why she is how she is, I think some interactions had less of an impact on the story than others and could have had more done with them. I especially wished for more when it came to the ending, which was rushed and a little vague.
If you enjoy audiobooks I would definitely recommend reading this book in audiobook form. The first person perspective really lends itself to that (although the start is in second person. I'm glad it changed - I think I would struggle to read a whole book in that point of view). The narrator also did a phenomenal job. The somewhat deadpan (but not emotionless) tone enhances the experience - it is definitely a common way in which people talk about their trauma.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Animal death, Sexual content, and Murder
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