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ohworm's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really liked this book! Though some things irked me a bit i genuinely had a good time reading it and it had me feeling tense the whole way through. I love the emphasis on female friendship and the ending genuinely surprised me. An imperfect 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Pedophilia, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child death and Cannibalism
_katie_reads_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.25
Non spoiler review
Overall:
I see what the author tried to do, the premise was really interesting and intriguing.
I really appreciate her trying to grasp a topic that is difficult to verbalise, and even more difficult to write about. The 'vibe' felt realistic and the good parts did outweigh the less appealing ones.
However, tbh if I didnt use autoread and listen while commuting, I wouldnt finish the book. It would be a shame, because the ending is a one that will stay with me a while.
Wouldt read again, but not mad that I did.
What i didnt like:
The pick-me attitude of the main character made it really difficult to enjoy the book sometimes.
Some characters are really believable, well fleshed out and easy to see even in your day to day life. Unfortunately, some characters seem flat, which later in the story serves as an attempt to misdirect the reader. Some, even the main ones, are characterized by simply looking a certain way, or having one trait, which was utilized as a singular driving force for their behavior.
The instalove. I know that the wounded soldier trope was technically subverted, but dear god. It felt..weird. Like that part was shoed in during the second draft, but didnt quite fit in with the original. Or maybe it was just written clumsily and I didnt get into it. Also the love interest felt very underdeveloped as a personality.
What i liked:
The premise. The vibe felt terribly familiar and the epilogue drove it home.
Most of the grace year girls chararacters and their dynamics. Easily the best part of the book, minus the pickme main.
The plotwists. Truly well thought out, well executed, I didnt expect most of them and none felt forced, nor done for shock value only.
Spoilery afterthoughts:
Overall:
I see what the author tried to do, the premise was really interesting and intriguing.
I really appreciate her trying to grasp a topic that is difficult to verbalise, and even more difficult to write about. The 'vibe' felt realistic and the good parts did outweigh the less appealing ones.
However, tbh if I didnt use autoread and listen while commuting, I wouldnt finish the book. It would be a shame, because the ending is a one that will stay with me a while.
Wouldt read again, but not mad that I did.
What i didnt like:
The pick-me attitude of the main character made it really difficult to enjoy the book sometimes.
Some characters are really believable, well fleshed out and easy to see even in your day to day life. Unfortunately, some characters seem flat, which later in the story serves as an attempt to misdirect the reader. Some, even the main ones, are characterized by simply looking a certain way, or having one trait, which was utilized as a singular driving force for their behavior.
The instalove. I know that the wounded soldier trope was technically subverted, but dear god. It felt..weird. Like that part was shoed in during the second draft, but didnt quite fit in with the original. Or maybe it was just written clumsily and I didnt get into it. Also the love interest felt very underdeveloped as a personality.
What i liked:
The premise. The vibe felt terribly familiar and the epilogue drove it home.
Most of the grace year girls chararacters and their dynamics. Easily the best part of the book, minus the pickme main.
The plotwists. Truly well thought out, well executed, I didnt expect most of them and none felt forced, nor done for shock value only.
Spoilery afterthoughts:
I wanted to punch tierney so much. I know she is very young, but jfc, how much more annoying can you get. The ego was too much.
is it just me, or did ryker have like 3 character traits: being hot, having a family, being protective. Honestly blanking out on what he was actually like.
the only thing that was truly unbelievable to me was that they didnt talk or prepare the girls. Like no matter how indoctrinared you are, and apparently the majority wasnt, you wouldnt just let you child go into the unknown, no word of help or instruction. Ei June, a layer for every season is nice, but maybe be a little bit more specific? Or you know, say it normally? Also tierneys Mother, am i to believe that she helped everyone, even the ostracized women on the outskirts, but didnt tell tierney, the one openly rebelious daugter she had? I need to go lay down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, Blood, Grief, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
warp_speedo's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Suicide, Violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Excrement, Cannibalism, Lesbophobia, and Fire/Fire injury