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claudiarreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Trigger warnings abound for violence involving children, abuse, torture, (minor)self harm content
The characters were the most un likeable I have ever read about.
But perhaps this attests to Eliza’s skill as a writer? Her research into fandom etc was incredibly nuanced and accurate. I’m still pondering if parts of this novel were necessary just because parts were so grim and vile. And aside from the few proof reading errors, I found myself needing to finish this book even if it was unenjoyable?
I really enjoyed Eliza’s debut Boy Parts and Penance is that but on acid??? I will probably read what she writes in the future though.
Anyway, unsure if I would recommend this novel. I found the premise a little odd / confusing. And perhaps reading at a bad time considering what’s in the news lately about child violence.
Good luck if you read this I guess
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Torture, and Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Self harm
pilarlopezleiva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Bullying, Mass/school shootings, Self harm, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Gore, Grief, Torture, Kidnapping, Child death, Death, Mental illness, and Suicide
obito's review against another edition
1.5
The story ends up being too unfocused to be a critique of the true crime genre. Themes of girlhood, bullying, and toxic female friendships could've been made more effectively in fewer pages. This novel should've been no more than 200 pages.
The attempt to recreate internet culture from a particular time were sometimes successful and often not. I wonder how much the inclusion of this element added to the text for those who haven't been chronically online or engaged in tumblr fandom.
Unfortunately, the execution of this book is extremely lacking. Its themes explored in far better novels. Obviously this is for some people, but just not for me. Boo
Graphic: Bullying, Murder, Torture, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
ermw0's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Eliza Clark is now an author who I will read anything she writes.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Body horror, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Child death
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Torture, Addiction, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
ginagray's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Child death, Blood, Homophobia, Gun violence, Grief, Toxic friendship, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Racism, Death, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Murder, Gore, Torture, Sexual assault, Mass/school shootings, and Bullying
milliebrierley's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Mass/school shootings, Toxic friendship, Violence, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Murder
bri0987's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Torture, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, Suicide, Bullying, Self harm, and Sexual assault
mookisbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Classism, Emotional abuse, Torture, Bullying, Child death, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Homophobia, Death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, Pedophilia, and Suicidal thoughts
roie_23'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
5.0
To introduce this fictional author at the very beginning as potentially untrustworthy and then to spend a full 400 more pages in the mind of this author and his self proclaimed sensitivity to the people affected by this awful crime makes you wonder when that other show is going to drop. Is he actually untrustworthy or was he actually swept up in a controversy that he had nothing to do with. And there’s signs throughout the final few chapters that Alec is losing the plot a little, like the comment about Heather wearing a full face of makeup even though she made it evident she thought he was disgusting.
Absolutely obsessed. A brilliant critique on the True Crime genre.
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Bullying, Mass/school shootings, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Self harm
katerina_l's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Body horror, Body shaming, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Mass/school shootings, Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, Gore, Grief, Bullying, Murder, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Blood, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Homophobia, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence