michaelferlazzo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Honestly, I really do not know what to think. I wanted to read more classics and literary books, but this one was just not for me. I can respect what direction this author went for, but I just saw it as a SLOG. Wow, I have never taken and hour to read 20 pages, but here is the proof. The pacing is super slow, and it doesn’t pick up until the last 15 pages. I give it two stars because was too long for a short book.
Spoiler
I think the ending was very anticlimactic because of the way the character was built up in the first half, also, what’s the weird fascination with the virginity of the main (villain) character? It’s super suspicious and weird. I really wish Ida could have had 1. More screen time, and 2. A satisfying ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Gun violence
holliesatchell's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I read this book for school and received about what I expected. Quite boring and slow, but I never like the books I have to read for school anyway, so my review is completely biased.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Murder, Sexism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence
lucy12345's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
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? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
aqsa_ayman's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.0
I liked how well formed the characters were, and in particular Pinkie's repulsion towards sex and marriage. That's a perspective I haven't seen before in books and shows with similar themes. Pinkie's fragile ego and vulnerability is so exposed that you feel numb about his treatment of Rose and the other characters. It's why Ida's free and jovial personality works so well in opposition to him, although they have very little contact.
I do however feel the story was dull and didn't match up to the depth of these characters, and there was a lot of dense writing that I didn't care for. It doesn't seem like Pinkie is a particularly talented or clever boss, so I wonder if I missed how he got top rank in their gang after Kite.
I do however feel the story was dull and didn't match up to the depth of these characters, and there was a lot of dense writing that I didn't care for. It doesn't seem like Pinkie is a particularly talented or clever boss, so I wonder if I missed how he got top rank in their gang after Kite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Murder
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