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kathigusi's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Transphobia, Antisemitism, Biphobia, and Homophobia
make_believer's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Gore, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Biphobia and Transphobia
allisonwonderlandreads's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm not a big horror fan (giant baby over here), but being behind the scenes of this dinosaur horror movie was fascinating. It helps that this is a romance and not actually horrific, excepting a stalker side plot that was alarming and ultimately action-packed. For our leads, we have Lilah Silver: actress, closeted bisexual, and former pageant queen. She's yearning for some queer friends and a feeling of community, a chance at acceptance. Then we have Noa Birnbaum. This is her first time on a real movie set working in makeup (she specializes in gore special effects), and she's dropped out of school to take this opportunity, much to her parents' distaste.
Ok, so there were a bunch of things I loved about this book. Lilah is paramount. She's sweet and kind and doing her best, but the patriarchy has squashed her into a little box as a Pretty Girl™, which only serves as fuel for her self-doubt. There's no room for her to feel safe coming out or sharing genuine feelings rather than what someone else wants to hear. She's targeted by creepy fanboys and boyfriends, but her concerns and fears are belittled by the (male) powers that be. I also loved a schnoodle named Rasputin, Noa's trans woman/chief meddler roommate, and the way Noa and Lilah bond over being Jewish.
There were also a couple major things I didn't care for. Mainly, Noa's arc. Many of her relationship decisions are characterized by harsh judgments, jealousy, and humor at others' expense. I don't expect her to be perfect, but she needed a bigger journey to work this out, in my opinion. A big fight resulting in a self-pity montage and a grand gesture in the final moments is certainly rom-com fodder. I recognize the playbook but wish it had been carried out with more heart and demonstrated effort towards personal growth. Also, this might be the first time I say a romance is too slow-moving. Roadblocks to the relationship took up way more time than romantic moments, and the horror movie and stalker plots ended up feeling more fully realized.
At the end of the day, Lilah Silver deserves to live her best life in the sun, vulnerable and free. The horror movie setting was fun and over-the-top. It's a solid sapphic romance touching on some big topics around identity and vulnerability. Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy. It's out on 8/3.
Ok, so there were a bunch of things I loved about this book. Lilah is paramount. She's sweet and kind and doing her best, but the patriarchy has squashed her into a little box as a Pretty Girl™, which only serves as fuel for her self-doubt. There's no room for her to feel safe coming out or sharing genuine feelings rather than what someone else wants to hear. She's targeted by creepy fanboys and boyfriends, but her concerns and fears are belittled by the (male) powers that be. I also loved a schnoodle named Rasputin, Noa's trans woman/chief meddler roommate, and the way Noa and Lilah bond over being Jewish.
There were also a couple major things I didn't care for. Mainly, Noa's arc. Many of her relationship decisions are characterized by harsh judgments, jealousy, and humor at others' expense. I don't expect her to be perfect, but she needed a bigger journey to work this out, in my opinion. A big fight resulting in a self-pity montage and a grand gesture in the final moments is certainly rom-com fodder. I recognize the playbook but wish it had been carried out with more heart and demonstrated effort towards personal growth. Also, this might be the first time I say a romance is too slow-moving. Roadblocks to the relationship took up way more time than romantic moments, and the horror movie and stalker plots ended up feeling more fully realized.
At the end of the day, Lilah Silver deserves to live her best life in the sun, vulnerable and free. The horror movie setting was fun and over-the-top. It's a solid sapphic romance touching on some big topics around identity and vulnerability. Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy. It's out on 8/3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Sexism, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
Minor: Biphobia and Transphobia
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