Scan barcode
ashleynoel555's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Rape
hannahshriver5's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was not what I was expecting going into it. It was interesting and unlike any other book I have read before, however there is a general lack of plot which was offputting to me. The characters are unpredictable, making them more real and intriguing, but if you are not a fan of untrustworthy narrators, this book probably isn't for you! The story's pacing was also somewhat strange and the first part compared to the second part differed greatly in how much character development took place. However, the last 75ish pages made me enjoy this book much more! Also - I have seen this book marketed as dark academia and to me, it was not (definitely more NYC art scene/modern college coming of age).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death and Violence
mikarala's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
For a novel that so often seemed incredibly cynical to me, circling around the ideas of how inauthenticity, hypocrisy, and inequality are intrinsically tied to the art-industrial complex, the endings for all the characters were surprisingly hopeful. Although there were moments during the novel where I honestly got the impression that the author was a jaded artist herself, the end of the story leaves all of the characters with some optimism for their futures as artists. I was not expecting all of the endings to be relatively positive, but I think it worked because it was all fairly open-ended.
Anyways, the strengths of this novel: I would say the writing style is not only really lovely and lyrical, but also extremely readable and accessible. Angress has a talent for conveying complex emotions and in a way that it both straightforward and poetic. I think this aided what was probably my actual favourite part of this novel, namely: the characterization. I feel as though I loved and hated all the main characters, was somehow rooting for them yet incredibly tired of all their bullshit human failures and constant excuses. I thought the characters all felt extremely realistic, with the four MCs all embodying different positions within the hierarchy of the art world that made for a fascinating contrast within the story.
I would admit that I don't think the plot of this novel was very compelling (if it even existed). I think this book is more of a "year in the life" type of story, following our 4 MCs through several ups and downs. That's really the main thing holding me back from a 5 star rating. Very enjoyable read that I would recommend, but maybe a bit all over the place in terms of story arc.
Anyways, the strengths of this novel: I would say the writing style is not only really lovely and lyrical, but also extremely readable and accessible. Angress has a talent for conveying complex emotions and in a way that it both straightforward and poetic. I think this aided what was probably my actual favourite part of this novel, namely: the characterization. I feel as though I loved and hated all the main characters, was somehow rooting for them yet incredibly tired of all their bullshit human failures and constant excuses. I thought the characters all felt extremely realistic, with the four MCs all embodying different positions within the hierarchy of the art world that made for a fascinating contrast within the story.
I would admit that I don't think the plot of this novel was very compelling (if it even existed). I think this book is more of a "year in the life" type of story, following our 4 MCs through several ups and downs. That's really the main thing holding me back from a 5 star rating. Very enjoyable read that I would recommend, but maybe a bit all over the place in terms of story arc.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
Minor: Dementia
raphynette's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual assault, Violence, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Mental illness
eman1223's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved it so far. I’m just a little busy rn and hope to pick it back up again soon
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Rape
More...