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maxineee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jade Song wrote about the friendships and tough spots that high school athletes are put in that come with the need for academic and extracurricular validation. Despite being a quick read, their story of self acceptance is not one I will soon forget.
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Racism, and Sexism
jcnfia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, Homophobia, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Mental illness
Minor: Bullying and Classism
archaicrobin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Body horror
embargo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
This is definitely a horror novel that relies on the tension of the inevitable. It's pretty obvious where everything is heading, but the buildup is done methodically. The pay off feels natural in a way I wouldn't have thought would be possible if just describing the premise of the book. It feels less like a "how could they?", where the horror is directed at the MC and more of a "well of course", where the horror is directed at the culture that has led her to this moment. It's upsetting, but it doesn't feel like a sideshow, which is often my issue with body horror.
If you're the type of horror reader who likes to dissect the themes and symbolism more than you like the scares, this might be one to check out.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Rape, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Bullying, Eating disorder, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Body horror, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Okay, a lot of CWs on this one. In order to give info without spoiling too broadly, I'll split the spoilers into a few groups: Violence and Gore, Mental Health, and Sex Violence and Gore, major spoiler for end of the book:frogggirl2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
From a storytelling perspective, the friend/girlfriend's letters detracted from the depth of the story and its momentum.
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, and Sexism
phdyke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Minor: Body horror, Eating disorder, Medical trauma, Sexism, Self harm, Blood, Sexual assault, Racism, and Toxic friendship
ankita1996's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Sexism, Gore, Body horror, Eating disorder, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Minor: Fatphobia, Racism, Abortion, Bullying, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
kgoody's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexism, Body horror, Sexual assault, and Blood
woolfinbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Drug use, Body horror, Body shaming, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Bullying and Blood
evanaviary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is basically a checklist of content warnings: racism, sexism, rape and sexual assault, medical violence, predatory behaviour, eating disorders, and self-harm including a graphic self-mutilation scene. There were points where my body was flinching, my hand over my mouth. This is NOT for everyone – but the writing is absolutely gorgeous. Lyrical and insightful, fully immersing you into the story.
There’s a point in the book—you’ll know when you’ve crossed it—where the story makes a flip from being a coming-of-age story with a little horror into full-out body horror. For me, the ending doesn’t stick the landing. There’s too much of a rush to the end; the stakes could’ve had more structure to them, or the horror elements introduced more incrementally. As it stands, the ending is like a drop into the deep end: a shock, but not rewarding.
Point still stands: this is a raucous debut. Truly one of the wildest things I’ve read lately. I’m always drawn to swimming stories, and Song’s firsthand experience with competitive swimming shines through. The language sticks to you, so meticulous and shimmering. A brazen achievement. If you have a stomach for bloody body horror, this might be for you. If sutures are a turn-off, I’d recommend passing on this one because the content warnings at the beginning of the book do NOT play around.
Graphic: Blood and Body horror
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault