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likeagilmoregirl'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? It's complicated
4.5
The writing style, plot, and characters were all easy to become immersed in. I cannot say enough positive things about this book. There are very little things that I wish the author did better and I was pretty much hooked from the moment I read the dedication.
This one is for us who have been made prey. The River Has Teeth. And so do we.
Graphic: Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexism, and Child death
Moderate: Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Drug use
whewtaewoon's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, Murder, and Death
Minor: Gore, Suicide, Physical abuse, and Rape
zghutcheson01's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Death, Grief, Violence, Sexism, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Drug use, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Sexual harassment
corriejn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A few non-spoiler-y notes: the LGBTQIA+ tag is not inappropriate for this book, but I will say that some of the earlier introductions of queer characters felt a bit self-conscious/gratuitous. By that I mean going out of the way to establish queer identities of characters in ways that didn't seem natural as part of conversations in the narrative, and felt more like pointing out those identities to tick a representation box than presenting characters naturally as whoever they were (i.e., them presented matter-of-factly in the ways they went about their lives and relationships). (Same with race; there is a Black character among the supporting roles, but that does not seem to a real/impactful part of the character's identity and life, but mentioned occasionally to remind the reader of the fact.) This is all still well ahead of books that treat all characters as white/cis/het by default, of course, but there are also books (including within YA fiction) that handle diversity better.
Another theme that felt a tad ineptly handled (again, without any major spoilers here) was one of the main character's pasts, as a child who was adopted later in childhood. The descriptions of the character's feelings about/relationship to their biological parents and adoptive family read as a bit trite and simplistic. Representation of a variety of life experiences is great, but again this was not dealt with with the greatest nuance or depth/complexity of characters (indeed, the adoptive family/said character's relationship to them get only the briefest of coverage).
All that being said, I'm still rating this 4.5 because for the genre/intended audience the inclusion of various identities and life experiences is still a plus and may not have been encountered in a lot of other fiction texts, even if they could have been more skillfully addressed. This remains an engaging and creative book (though do check the substantial CWs if any of those are a concern), and a recommended read for late-teen to adult readers. (The positive aspects of the story are more difficult to outline with plot spoilers!)
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Murder, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, and Vomit
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Lesbophobia, Addiction, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Outing, Biphobia, Racism, and Trafficking
spiritedfaraway's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Torture, Stalking, Racism, Police brutality, and Panic attacks/disorders
aqulia's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Who do I recommend this to?: Honestly, not many people. If you're a big fan of witches, maybe, but the problems with the book's message discourage me from recommending it more.
Will I read more by this author?: Maybe. The writing and plot was good, and there are strong characters, but the way the theme is handled is off putting.
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, and Toxic friendship
ashleycmms's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Racism
melaniereadsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Death, Grief, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Body horror, Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcohol, and Emotional abuse