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lou702's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Its a very frustrating piece of art. The character do things that can almsot always be questioned. The death was unnessecary and unlogical but also slightly deserved. The character had no developement and had no good relationship with each other at many points. And to top it all of, it even has a cliffhanger, which makes it even more frustrating but also wanting for more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Emotional abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Addiction, Blood, and Drug abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Domestic abuse
veliana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Grief, Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Vomit, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Violence
curlykristenk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Loved the character building at the beginning and throughout. Loved the way their characters all go a little mad even tho it’s a bit sad that they do. They are a little over the top but I think that was intentional due to them being die hard theatre kids and adding to them getting lost in the world of theatre.
I loved the poetry of some of the Shakespeare references. Both in the quotes (even though some of them were, imo, ill placed and at times a little cringy when they weren’t like necessarily poetic or added much. At the same time i could see how it really added to the narrative of the characters losing touch of reality outside of Shakespeare) and in the plot similarities at times. I could never really guess what was going to happen next which both I liked and disliked lol.
I’m sad about that ending for Meredith, just to be there for convenience. She deserves a man that loves her and that will choose her.
Filippa was a convenient character, especially towards the end, with not a lot of depth but was always there to solve a problem that the author came across. She didn’t have much backstory explained even though it got built up to have lots of potential for it.
Richards body being mangled, broken and twisted in odd ways and James’ story of him just slashing him with the hook don’t match. It’s a huuuge plot hole and I don’t understand how that could’ve been missed? I was convinced I read the initial description of how his body was found wrong so I went back and looked and yeah it just doesn’t match. And I’m confused about it.
I feel like overall the wrap up at the end was really rushed. Especially how Oliver found out about James and quickly skimmed over that to ask another question about another loose end of the book straight after hearing that. Then once all the loose ends were tied up after talking to colbourne only then does he have a bit of a menty b about it. I feel like it was just rushed because he’s been waiting 10 years to get out and see the love of his life and he learns that and then asks about other people? Nah I’d go non-verbal except screams. It was just like a bit disingenuous compared to the rest of the book and the great character building. Loved the lil Cliff hanger tho hehe
Overall loved the book! I think I would give it a 5 if it weren’t for the huge plot hole that maybe I’m still mistaken about? If you’ve read this far plz tell me if I’m wrong haha
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Murder, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Domestic abuse and Eating disorder
sadiegenene25's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
I cried. I’m still crying. This book is so upsetting and it might be my favorite thing i’ve ever read. Best read of 2024 so far and I will never get over it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use
ms_sarah621's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If you love Shakespeare and poetic writing, then this will be perfect for you. I cannot believe how beautifully written this book is. The language and word choice alone is five stars. Also, references to pop culture and the “real world” is so difficult to do well in books. All of the Shakespeare, the plays themselves, the way the group talks to each other, and how lines from the plays are used like casual speech is so incredibly well done. It flows so well and creates this deeply poetic story and complex relationships. Another point, how well these characters are fleshed out and their relationships with each other. Everything is so complex and even vague at times. However, you care so much for these characters and what is happening to them. You want to know everything about them and what they mean to each other, no matter how messy things get between them. The only thing that brought my rating down slightly was that this is a slow paced character driven book. So, at times, I struggled to pick it up. Yet, the story is so incredibly written and poetic that you want to keep reading and be emerged in the tragic world that was created. A must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Drug use, and Grief
Moderate: Body horror
issysamb's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Death, Drug abuse, Violence, Murder, and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide and Eating disorder
kathyovalle01's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I have absolutely no words for this book. My jaw was on the floor most of the time and that ending was everything to me. I love how the author leaves things up to you to figure out. And the writing was so freaking beautiful. I’m not a Shakespeare expert or anything and it was not a problem for me in the book, but if you want to enter this book a little bit more prepared read: Romeo and Juliet, hamlet, king Lear, Caesar and Pericles, I think those are the most relevant to the story. I loved these characters and the story, they will live in my heart forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Alcohol
culinaryjules's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
I read this for my work book club. I wouldn’t have picked it up on my own, and I probably wouldn’t have kept reading if it wasn’t for book club. I’m so glad I kept reading. This is a very interesting who-done-it, entrenched within the lives of college students whom are Shakespeare actors. I’m not well versed enough in Shakespeare to get all of the references, but I didn’t let that deter me. This is a well-written novel that delves into the lives of this very small college family of friends. One of the friends is murdered. Or is he? Is the right person in jail? I’m glad it was suggested because I enjoyed it more than I anticipated once I got into it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Drug use, Drug abuse, Bullying, Addiction, Physical abuse, Vomit, Eating disorder, and Blood
charliewarliee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book- This book is honestly one of the best pieces of literature I have consumed in my life. I adored this book, the tension it built so magnificently, the descriptions, the plays. I love how it builds everything up, but everything still goes so fast and smoothly. The layout of ‘Acts’ and ‘Scenes’ made my theatre loving heart cry out! This book needs so much more attention than it already has.
also i’m sorry but James and Oliver’s relationship was SO HEARTWARMING AND CUTE AHHHHHH!
the twist at the end actually made my jaw drop to the floor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, Sexual content, Eating disorder, Gore, Suicide, Drug use, Murder, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Violence, and Self harm
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual harassment
squirrel13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Murder and Mental illness
Minor: Grief and Death