Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - Cleopatra Y Frankenstein

This was really not it. I can't believe the author said it took her 7 years to write and it still is so bad. I don't understand why we don't just stick to chapters of Cleo and Frank because I feel like we barely saw them struggle? we saw them struggle on their own but we barely got insight into their relationship at all? But random chapters from Quentin, Anders', Zoe and Santiago's POV that felt unnecessary. it took away too much from the main story. And then Eleanor's chapters were from her POV which threw me off so much? Everyone is just wallowing in self-pity without trying to actively do something against it and then in the end everyone is happy and overcame their struggles but it happened to quick, without much explanation that it felt fake. I've read in another review that everything feels shallow, superficial and the characters are just cliche and caricatures and well, if that isn't true. do not recommend, I dreaded reading it and just wanted it to be over ASAP.

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abica12's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

2.75

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bethroseellis's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Whilst at first it felt a little tropey - a poor, young, beautiful girl falls in love with a rich older man and they have vivacious friends who have wild parties - the introduction of Eleanor brings some much needed balance and grounding to the novel. The novel, and the characters, grew on me as it progressed as it highlighted some of the every day fears we can all see reflected at times.

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sakisreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

I was expecting this to be some flimsy romance novel that didn’t really go anywhere and phew, it really was not! 😳 Content warnings are definitely needed and will be included below.

If I were to rate the characters in terms of likability for me, it would go from top to bottom: Eleanor, Santiago, Zoe, Frank, Cleo, Anders, Quentin 🫠

I am THRILLED that Eleanor and Frank fell in love, and that as an adult Eleanor encouraged Frank to go and see Cleo after their separation. Is this what adults do? 😂

I did find the switch from third person to first person narratives difficult but also enjoyable. Eleanor really became my favourite through her dry and sarcastic humour that was masking her love 🥲

The relationships were SO HUMAN. So flawed, so messy and yet in all of that, so stunning. I couldn’t stop weeping at one point 🥹

4 out of 5 stars for me, thank you ✨

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