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emilywemily6's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Blood, and Misogyny
Moderate: Hate crime, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Eating disorder, Murder, Infidelity, and Vomit
oliviaclaire'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
2.5
There are two main issues I have with this book. The first is that neither of the protagonists are particularly likeable. In fact, they're not at all likeable. Annie has moved upstate due to the abrupt and unfortunate end of a long term relationship. Her heartbreak and general depression are totally understandable, until you learn that Annie has not ever not been in a relationship since middle school and within those relationships she has compromised to the point of self-erasure to sustain them and even repeatedly ditched friendships for them. Annie is the definition of 'desperate' and 'unable to be on her own'.
Cue Sophie, Annie's new best friend and suspected (it's really blatantly obvious) witch. Sophie attempts to convince Annie that there is more to life than a boyfriend, that she can be a happily single woman content in her own power. This sounds like it could be a significant improvement to Annie's outlook, if only Sophie didn't use threats, spying, pressure and non-consensual psychedelic drugs to achieve her ends...
The second issue with this book is that aside from the unhealthy friendship between Annie and Sophie, along with Annie's general mopiness, not much of note actually happens in this book. There are some interesting moments but the plot doesn't really go anywhere.
It was a shame as I did enjoy Such Sharp Teeth and I think I'll still read Black Sheep before making a final judgment on Harrison's books in general but Cackle was a miss for me.
On a positive note, plus 0.5 stars for Ralph. He was very sweet and I enjoyed him immensely. He reminded me of the YouTube spider Lucas.
Moderate: Body horror, Drug use, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Infidelity
bluelillybooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Annie is a 30 year-old teacher who suffers from depression after her boyfriend broke up with her. She moves through life trying to be as inconspicious as possible, while her mind is haunted by anxiety. Now that she has to move cities and live on her own, she is confronted with her bad drinking habits and loneliness. Then she meets Sophie, who carries herself with a grace and confidence that inspires awe in Annie. They quickly become friends, but if Sophie is that wonderful, then why are the other villagers always nervous around her? And why are there so many spiders in Annie's appartment?
I have never before seen myself in a character as much as I saw myself in Annie. "Cackle" describes anxiety attacks, self-doubt and depressive symptoms in such an accurate way that I highlighted some of the passages to show to my therapist. Not even joking. I've seen some reviews calling Annie gullible and annoying, but girlies that's literally how anxiety works *shrugs*.
Without spoiling anything, because I think everyone should read this book, "Cackle" is about finding the courage to live life for yourself and all the magic in yourself that is just waiting to come out. Also spooky vibes!
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Eating disorder, and Grief
Spidersblacksphinx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Vomit, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying and Sexism
Minor: Blood and Infidelity
emoryjoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Gore, Stalking, Blood, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Body shaming
Arachnophobia - there are lots of spiders in this bookmaregred's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcohol and Alcoholism
Minor: Infidelity, Grief, and Toxic relationship
rivercat0338'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
2.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Toxic friendship, and Infidelity
Moderate: Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Bullying
bitterseason'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
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief, Body shaming, and Body horror
Minor: Animal death, Misogyny, Murder, Vomit, Bullying, Sexism, Cursing, Infidelity, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
aimzthereader'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Vomit, Violence, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting
Minor: Infidelity