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5aru's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was... in all fairness, the book was good. The writing is excellent, and its deep, near-surgical examination of some of the worst evils of humanity is pretty spot-on. However, this comes at a cost - meaning, it doesn't really engage you. There is so much exposition it was hard to get invested in a storyline; by the time you did, William was already moving on to deal with something or somebody else; he's completely jaded by the time he starts his narration, and this jadedness can't help but move towards the reader as well. I couldn't really get invested in the characters, or what happened to them, because knowing so many harsh truths about anyone is enough to disenchant you.
And yet, I suppose I enjoyed it well enough. The quality of the writing really carried this story through; if it had been written by any lesser hand, it would've fallen short entirely.
And yet, I suppose I enjoyed it well enough. The quality of the writing really carried this story through; if it had been written by any lesser hand, it would've fallen short entirely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, and Torture
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