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rowanrelph's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Bullying, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Confinement, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, and Death
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Blood, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Slavery, Suicide, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Classism, Death of parent, Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Murder
shaylac's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
To start off, I was excited to read this book just by the description it seemed like the book was going to be about adventure, love, and mystery. However, as I was reading, it was slow-paced with no world building or character building.
The entire book is based around the grand jeu but it was never explained how it was played or what is involved with making a grand jeu. I felt that I was left confused half the time trying to figure out who the characters were and how they fit into the story. With that, there were 3 different perspectives which "The Rat" would not have been missed if their perspective wasn't written.
It seemed like there wasn't enough thought put into writing the storyline and how the book would have ultimately ended.
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Suicide, Bullying, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Confinement, Mental illness, and Murder
Minor: Cursing, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, Classism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
mallorypen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I won’t go as far to say that the relationships between these characters is queer-baiting, but there are definite shades of it.
The tone of the book overall was wholly melancholy; successes, love, relationships, and triumphs were all tinged with this overarching sadness. The government cracking down and distorting all the good and beautiful in the world and the game of grand jeu felt inevitable; the lies and self-loathing of the main characters felt insurmountable; and no matter how they wanted something else, the rift between Leo and Carfax and Claire was so intense.
I didn’t guess the twist before it happened.
There was enough here that I can’t deny the book was GOOD, but I rated it three stars because I didn’t feel good or satisfied after finishing it. Not all books need to make me feel those things to be enjoyable reads, and I appreciate the novel for everything it did. I might enjoy it more on a re-read in the future.
Moderate: Misogyny, Homophobia, Murder, Xenophobia, Violence, and Suicide
lilacsophie's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Violence, Vomit, and Bullying
Moderate: Death, Grief, Sexual content, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Police brutality
Minor: Death of parent