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elenaand'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Animal death, Vomit, Torture, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Pedophilia, and Misogyny
emberysing's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Blood, Violence, Xenophobia, Sexism, Racism, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Death, and Animal death
Moderate: Gore, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
samusc's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, and Sexism
yellephant's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Mental illness, Grief, Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Body horror
Minor: Vomit
lisacanteven's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The first half of the book is some serious setup and world building. I never found myself bored during this, but I was ready for some action. The setup was very necessary to the plot, so don't stop reading. The first half of the book is much more character driven than plot driven. Once you reach that halfway mark, the story really (and I mean REALLY) picks up. I read almost the entire second half of the book in one day, whereas it took me five days to read the first half. There is just a lot to digest and retain during the first 160ish pages.
Immanuelle is one badass heroine. I loved her from the very beginning. Being by her side as she cleverly finds her way was the best adventure I could go on. She grows a lot in what can only be months' time, and I cannot wait to see who she becomes in the sequel. Yes, there is going to be a sequel. I saw it on the author's Instagram. She is working on it now, and I'm so thankful because I need more of these characters and this world in my life.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
booksthatburn'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
5.0
I have an active fear of childbirth and a general revulsion to portrayals of it. That means this won't be one I personally want to re-read, but if you don't have that aversion and you like horror, this book is fantastic (make sure to check the CWs). It takes a lot of elements common to cults and religious horror and turns them into a powerful personal story about engaging with legacy and standing against abusive systems. It never lets you forget that this is a horror novel, but there are stretches where the intensity abates to focus on quieter moments between characters. A lot of the horror is found in silence and complicity in the highly abusive system which dominates the MC's existence and guides most significant events in her life, while the high-stress moments are when she takes steps to challenge everything she's ever known. It rides a fine edge of discomfort, usually without becoming more than I could handle.
I'm torn between wanting to re-read it and knowing that I'll have to be in a very calm space before I can handle reading it again, but horror fans should love it.
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Blood, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Torture, and Pregnancy
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Vomit
CW for vomit, blood, racism, mass death, mutilation, non-consensual relationships, sexual assault, pedophilia, domestic abuse, childbirth, animal death, plague, torture, major character death.aliciafroy's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
Graphic: Blood and Sexism
Moderate: Body horror, Sexual violence, Racism, Physical abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
bookishgems's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Pedophilia, Animal death, and Animal cruelty