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gigglesigh's review
- 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
Fue un poco raro encontrar un espejo a mis preguntas y dudas infantiles en medio del fin del mundo. Me va a perseguir por un rato.
Graphic: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
essjay's review against another edition
3.5
I spent a whole lot of time while I was reading trying to figure out if I even liked it, and I still don't have an answer. Kinda loved the last sentence, though, which was actually what I'd been wanting the whole book but didn't dare hope for. Probably going to bump Maeve Fly up my TBR now.
Graphic: Animal death, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
theoceanrose's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
ddeevvviinn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I enjoyed Cj's previous book, Maeve Fly, but I felt like the substance I didn't feel or see in that novel was shown in this one.
I actually enjoyed listening to Sophie's internal religious conflict. Though I may not have grown up religious I know girls who have or who naturally have this self destructive thought process that tears them down.
Now I will say a part broke my heart. Wasn't thrilled with how detailed it was but after reading her afternote I completely can feel the reasoning behind the writing and felt the emotions in that scene a lot differently.
Graphic: Animal death
nextjenreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
whattheheckbeck's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Animal death
rcraig27's review
5.0
Graphic: Animal death
misslapin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual violence, Violence, and Religious bigotry
rachelsbookishlife's review
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
dchaseb's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A very different type of story. We follow Sophie who is a sheltered Catholic school girl who finds herself coming of age in the midst of an apocalypse of sorts. Imagine 28 Days Later but add rape to the list of things that the infected do. What follows is a brutal story of survival that also provides commentary on religion, cults, public health, vanity, puberty, sex, and love. There are a lot of real life events that this book pulls from including religious zealots, the COVID-19 Pandemic, misinformation, national emergencies, and hate/terrorist groups.
I would say that Leede has built an incredible world, but it is also horrifying in that it feels eerily similar to what has or could happen in today's society at any time. The characters are realistic and how they interact with one another feels too real. The everlasting love between a close brother and sister. The intensely overbearing relationship of an overprotective father. That same parenting style from a mother who lets Sophie into her past in small glimpses. A growing crush between Sophie and Ben. The adoration of a role model/protector that teases something more. The badass female role model that helps Sophie to think for herself. And many more. Not to mention, one of the greatest dog companions ever.
As a reader, it is easy to comment on why characters are not doing more in the face of such clear and present danger, but how many times have we as a society done that in the midst of horrible events? I've read other reviews about how Sophie is dumb and would not be able to survive in this apocalyptic world without dumb luck, but in the words of "Pitch Meetings" on YouTube, "Yeah. Well, that's so the movie can happen."
A bit of a departure from Maeve Fly but still a great read from Leede (haha. I should work in marketing, right?)
PS. Her letter to the reader...damn. Much love to her and her loss. Also, many thanks for writing such praise for how awesome libraries are.
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual violence, and Violence