479 reviews for:

The City Beautiful

Aden Polydoros

4.19 AVERAGE

ineffabledaisies's review against another edition

3.75

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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: Complicated

toopunkrockforshul's review

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Loved this book! Its definitely not "feel good" in the cozy and soft sense but it made me really happy to have so many Jewish and Yiddish references. The mystery was also very compelling, and I loved the development of

Frankie and Alter's relationship

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence

Minor: Homophobia

This book deals heavily with antisemitism and revolves around a serial killer who targets Jewish boys and men. There is also heavily implied pedophilia and assault/rape of minors. Lots of violence and murder and the main character often mildly self harms to ground himself. While possessed by the dybbuk of his murdered friend, he also experiences visions and flashbacks

brooke_city's review

4.0

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Really enjoyed the book. Loved the relationship between Alter and Frankie, very endearing. I think the ending went on a tad bit too long, so that's the reason for 4 stars instead of 5.

booksbakesbikes's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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What a beautiful book. Set in 1890s Chicago, Alter Rosen investigates the death of his friend, whose spirit still (literally) plagues him. Simultaneously, it is an exploration of love, grief, and loss. The pain and rage are powerful and personal, but the queer joy and love shine in turn. 

latwell07's review against another edition

2.75

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Cultural appropriation

margo415's review

3.5

adventurous emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mebius's review against another edition

4.25

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

foiblesandfiction's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 17%

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 dnf at 17%

I'm really enjoying the mystery and atmosphere that's being laid out, but there's little context clues for the historical and cultural references and its becoming more and more unenjoyable. There's entire paragraphs that I'm having a difficult time understanding without researching events and definitions. Maybe I'll try again another time. 

jayley's review against another edition

3.75

dark informative tense

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

spookily's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-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: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Vomit, Alcohol, Classism

Minor: Bullying, Child death, Misogyny, Suicide, Excrement, Police brutality