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decembermagpie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Drug use
jourdanicus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I feel there were two stories here - Marion and Shannon's relationship, and Marion dealing with the ghost of Kayden. Both of them could have had a little more depth. I also feel like this story suffered from too much exposition. I like the author's writing style, but I would rather have had the backstory shown instead of overly told to me by rotating characters who lacked much depth.
Mostly I liked the way the dog was treated and I liked the ending.
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Drug use, and Murder
forrestalexander's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Violence, Sexual content, and Grief
cheesepuppy's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Rape, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault
rorikae's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
The story centers on Marion, an Ojibwe man who has just begun a relationship with a closeted white man. As Marion deals with this new relationship, the ghost of a dog rises from the playground to lead Marion to the grave of one of his classmates that was murdered while they were in high school. As he learns more about this death, Marion also explores more about himself and his relationships.
Though this story is relatively short, Staples creates human characters that are full of flaws but also easy to care about. As Marion explores his sexuality, we learn more about his childhood and his existing relationship with his mother. Through quiet moments, Staples explores larger themes about our connections, sexuality, and the messiness of being human.
I do think that the blurb makes the story sound as if it is more of a murder mystery, which isn't the case. Though a murder is a central part of the story, Staples doesn't set it up as a mystery but more as the catalyst for conversations between characters. I'm interested to see what Staples writes next and will be interested to pick up more of his work.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Drug use, Grief, and Miscarriage
badmom's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Colonisation, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Miscarriage
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Grief, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Bullying, Colonisation, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
keatynbergsten's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, and Sexual content
annalisaely's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Alcoholism, and Addiction
Moderate: Drug use, Grief, Racism, Sexual content, and Violence
There is also gang violence, specifically.