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wardenred's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“What it’s about,” Tom said. “is a witch.”
I felt oddly disconnected from this book the entire time I was reading it. I guess there's something about the writing style that didn't mesh with me very well? Regardless, I do appreciate the way the story is crafted. There are a lot of really fun things here, especially in terms of general atmosphere/vibe: a truly great mixture of western and folk horror and a very good spooky month read.
The characters were all distinct and recognizable and had their own agendas and their reasons to join up forces on this journey. At the same time, I never felt like I got to know any of them beyond the surface. I think that's that thing about the writing style that didn't quite work for me at play. A bit too much telling over showing? I think that's what played into it, combined with a really big number of POV switches.
I guess the two most recognizable and appealing personalities for me ended up being Rabbit and Rose: the former because the nature of her role in the plot primed her to be a fun mystery to crack, and the latter because the way her arc was laid out made her the most relatable.
Weirdly enough, my favorite parts of the books were the ones that weren't character-focused at all: all the spooky horror descriptions, the general vibe of being constantly on the road, traveling through dangerous, deadly places. Considering that normally I am a super character-oriented reader, this was a change of pace for me. Not an unwelcome one, just unusual!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Gore, Animal death, Violence, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Suicide, Sexual harassment, and Rape
fruitbatflora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Body horror, Death, Animal cruelty, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Cannibalism, and Slavery
Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
blacksphinx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Vomit, and Gun violence
Moderate: Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, and Racial slurs
Minor: Sexism, Rape, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual content, Suicide, and Abortion
erynlasbelin's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Murder, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Blood, Gore, Vomit, and Alcoholism
Minor: Grief, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Body shaming, Cursing, Excrement, Fatphobia, Rape, Racism, Xenophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Medical content, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt