Reviews

Penance by Eliza Clark

jennyshone97's review against another edition

dark

4.75

kemorgan913's review

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

sstento's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Drug use, Incest, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Gore, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, Body shaming, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Mass/school shootings, Sexual assault, and Animal death

hyukadune's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rileymaeburns's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

emilysummers37's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

rubibarber's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

• 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? Yes

5.0

Oh !

augie_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I went into this book not knowing a thing about the author or the story. I firmly believed right to the end that this was based on a true story and from the perspective of a real journalist. It was only afterwards when I - ironically - tried to search the town that was mentioned throughout that I realised the whole thing was fiction! Excellent writing and, as many have mentioned in their reviews here, touches on a very specific cultural experience of the internet and the way it affected young people. Excellent writing but do take care reading as there is a lot of graphic content.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Pedophilia, Medical content, Violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture

Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Suicide, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts

nekobobeko's review against another edition

2.0

self-indulgent, anemic satire.
pale fire’s fingernail clippings.

rachelszo's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5