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hsteel's review against another edition
Very dark for intended audience. Cannibalism and sexual assault.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
dblue236's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Trigger warning: Insinuated sexual assault, war, cannibalism.
This book was incredibly written, but at times it was almost too painful to continue reading. I think that was what the author was going for, so I do not mean that in any sort of detrimental way; I just think it's important for readers to be aware of it going in. There were times it was borderline brutal, but it beautifully illustrated the importance of being educated about this period of history and doing our best to make sure it never happens again. I'm thankful it was a fast read, and I definitely won't forget it any time soon.
This book was incredibly written, but at times it was almost too painful to continue reading. I think that was what the author was going for, so I do not mean that in any sort of detrimental way; I just think it's important for readers to be aware of it going in. There were times it was borderline brutal, but it beautifully illustrated the importance of being educated about this period of history and doing our best to make sure it never happens again. I'm thankful it was a fast read, and I definitely won't forget it any time soon.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, and War
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
becandbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
3.25
This is a book about poverty, desperation and an undying focus on possibility and survival. Transported to another time, readers will find a story that while gut-wrenching and engaging in its content, is frustrating with a sad but repetitive narrative.
Liza has unbelievable hope about the dire nature of her circumstances. It demonstrates the stark nature of desperation for hope, but it also leads to incredible foolishness and unnatural blindness to her circumstances. While a time of poverty and extreme classism would no doubt cloud judgement and skew trust, it often feels disjointed and forced for the sake of the narrative. As well, the overarching mystery element of the story that threads throughout feels drawn out and slow, with the character repeatedly having the same conversation and thought process with the same repeated result for the majority of the story.
Scott has done an incredible job with the story's world-building, but the plot and characters leave something to be desired.
Liza has unbelievable hope about the dire nature of her circumstances. It demonstrates the stark nature of desperation for hope, but it also leads to incredible foolishness and unnatural blindness to her circumstances. While a time of poverty and extreme classism would no doubt cloud judgement and skew trust, it often feels disjointed and forced for the sake of the narrative. As well, the overarching mystery element of the story that threads throughout feels drawn out and slow, with the character repeatedly having the same conversation and thought process with the same repeated result for the majority of the story.
Scott has done an incredible job with the story's world-building, but the plot and characters leave something to be desired.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Cannibalism, and War
Minor: Alcohol
→ trigger warnings: starvation (specifically famine), poverty themes, death of mother, friend and child, physical abuse, sexual abuse, forced prostitution, cannibalism, classism, war themes, alcohol abuse
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