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unluckycat13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm mixed because I really enjoy the story of this book, ambivalent about the characters, and hate the prose/delivery.
There were parts that were strangely emotional, which is really rare for me. I enjoy the surrealism though it was badly balanced with attempts to make it plausibly non-magical for far too long.
There we parts that came off gender essentialist which I don't think was the intent. As the author says in her note though, it takes us a long time to fully untangle our toxic beliefs. I don't have a problem with the authors note. Authors are allowed to write about things personal to them, then describe how and why it's personal to them.
Overall the novel has cool creepy vibes that are reminiscent of a lot of cool stuff. I think it will hit hardest if you're in your 30s and/or had a rough conservative leaning upbringing.
I did appreciate the nod to not needing a romantic partner even though most of the cast paired up.
There were parts that were strangely emotional, which is really rare for me. I enjoy the surrealism though it was badly balanced with attempts to make it plausibly non-magical for far too long.
There we parts that came off gender essentialist which I don't think was the intent. As the author says in her note though, it takes us a long time to fully untangle our toxic beliefs. I don't have a problem with the authors note. Authors are allowed to write about things personal to them, then describe how and why it's personal to them.
Overall the novel has cool creepy vibes that are reminiscent of a lot of cool stuff. I think it will hit hardest if you're in your 30s and/or had a rough conservative leaning upbringing.
I did appreciate the nod to not needing a romantic partner even though most of the cast paired up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Child death, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Homophobia, Body horror, Religious bigotry, and Domestic abuse
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