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ceebee86's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I am not fully convinced of its "horror" label. There were moments where I thought it was disturbing and gross for sure--just like The Juniper Tree fairy tale. But this was more sad than anything.
I found Marlinchen to be a bit aggravating at first but it really does just take some getting used to. She's not so much aggravating as she is sad. The profound effects of abuse permeate her very mentally ill mind.
On this subject I thought the novel really hit. It was very real. The parental and sexual abuse, the honeymoon reconciliation and the rest of the stages in the cycle of abuse, the way siblings grow to use each other for their own survival, and the trauma bonding, were all just so so real.
My one major gripe is that it did slip into a repetitive or redundant style. The book mentions breasts and nipples a lot. And yeah maybe there was an intent to it thematically, but at some point it just became too much. I was tired of it.
And also the constant "I am ugly and my two sisters are beautiful" schtick. I get it. Characterizing women only by their one most defining physical feature is very much a fairytale trope, but it's so tiresome in the context of a contemporary novel.
I believe Reid said this book thematically revolved around the advancement of society under capitalism. That was an undercurrent across the book as a whole. And I thought it established the atmosphere and setting really well.
Overall, a decent read but not for the impatient or those with weak stomachs.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Murder, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, Child abuse, Classism, Eating disorder, Gore, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Blood, Death, Gaslighting, Cannibalism, Confinement, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Antisemitism
niregonnagiveyouup'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Body horror, and Gore
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, Cannibalism, and Classism
courtzab's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing was beautiful! I'm just not certain that gothic horror is for me.
Graphic: Vomit, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Eating disorder, Gore, Xenophobia, and Cannibalism
zweinst's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Vomit, Animal death, Antisemitism, Rape, Self harm, and Violence
maebae'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Sexism, Vomit, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Eating disorder, Animal death, and Death of parent
rhall19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Death of parent and Body horror
Minor: Xenophobia
virtuadoll's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Also Rosenrot being a lesbian is so based. It’s not explored very much but is mentioned a couple of times and I loved her as a character too.
Graphic: Vomit, Emotional abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Murder, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Misogyny, Cannibalism, Gaslighting, Blood, Animal death, Body horror, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Medical trauma
Minor: Abortion and Incest
louiepotterbook'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Murder, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Self harm, Death, Dysphoria, Gore, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Vomit, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Xenophobia
princegene95'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Body horror, Gore, Cannibalism, Body shaming, Vomit, and Blood
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Death, Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, Animal death, Sexual content, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Medical content, and Medical trauma
fayesavanne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
Graphic: Cannibalism, Xenophobia, Drug use, Vomit, Death of parent, Antisemitism, Violence, Eating disorder, Gore, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Blood, Death, Murder, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia