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xvicesx's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wasn't desperately fond of the vaguely supernatural aspect and the flashbacks (I was traumatised by The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue), but I do get the point it was trying to get at. It just felt that the author could have achieved the same effect with the research for the essay rather than the flashbacks.
But again, I found it to be a pretty good vehicle for an good bit of soul searching, and a nice story of true friendship.
Graphic: Misogyny, Bullying, and Sexism
Moderate: Grief, Sexual assault, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, Death, and Cancer
lottie1803's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
jasecordova's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Moderate: Misogyny and Rape
Minor: Abortion
skudiklier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Bullying, Body shaming, and Sexism
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abortion, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Rape, Alcohol, Ableism, Fatphobia, Death, Suicide, Vomit, and Cancer
navayiota's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I really enjoyed the story, as well. As painful as it was to read due to my trauma, I just couldn't keep away for long.. I needed to know what would happen next. I needed to hear that Anna and Maggie would be okay. And although we didn't exactly get there at the end, I still feel such a weight lifted from my shoulders. I wish the ending was a little less cliche, especially since I have -in real life- attempted the "we're all human!" speech and got laughed at and boo'ed off immediately. In my experience, people are much less hesitant to hear you out or stand with you even if they have been hurt too, because the only worse thing in the world in that moment than being bullied, is being bullied harder, standing next to the school punching bag. I definitely wasn't as eloquent as Anna though, so that is also a factor to consider. Still, I couldn't help but cringe, even as I was trying my hardest to suspend my disbelief. Also the words written on the victim's body pictures are so overdone, but this book was written in 2019, and I think this was a pretty new thing at the time. I did like how all the comments were signed with the bullies' names though. I'm all for keeping abusers accountable, even if I don't personally approve of the means. I do think though that at the end of the day, if that kind of art helps someone in Anna's situation, my opinion does not mean jack shit.
One last thought was that I disagree with the review on the cover, the one by Holly Bourne. I think singling it out as A Book For Girls really doesn't do it justice. I think guys should read this book, too. Not frat boys who are set in their ways because they're bound not to take it seriously, but the loner "I don't have an opinion" boys. The ones who won't laugh at the joke about a girl being called a slut, but won't stand up for her either. I know it was written that way so it can be punchy and fit on the cover, but it really rubbed me the wrong way. I do think all girls who can stomach it should read it as well, though.
I wish Laura Bates all the recognition she deserves, cause damn, what a banger. Be very careful with the triggers, though.
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Rape, and Sexism
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Blood, and Kidnapping
maemiller_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape
Content warnings are listed in the book before the title page as wellquinn22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Bullying, and Body shaming
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Sexual content
Minor: Rape, Abortion, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Cursing
stories's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Bullying and Body shaming
Moderate: Abortion, Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol, Body shaming, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Rape, and Stalking
ejb44's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Moderate: Abortion, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
bibliobeth's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I thought the witchcraft storyline that played out was well done and I thought it was interesting to see the parallels between Maggie's and Anna's stories. The things that Anna are subjected to feel like a modern day witch hunt.
Overall enjoyed this one - definitely an important read for teens!
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, and Abortion