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darkmattersoybean's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Slavery, Violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Abortion
Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
This books setting deals with slavery and all the trauma and abuses that come with it. Difficult to determine which levels to put certain themes, as a lot is implied rather than explicitly stated/described but may still be triggeringfloralhellscape's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Vomit
dragon_girlj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Transphobia
Minor: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Jokes aside, Solomon wrote a unique sci-fi that left me with much to think about. The setting was interesting, and their writing easy to read without being too simplistic. The main issue I had was with the pacing, as the beginning and end were good, but the middle lagged significantly. I also think the ending could’ve been explained more, though it was satisfying enough as it is.
I ended up quite liking Aster and Theo. It took me some time to warm up to them, but I did. They’re well-written, contrasting characters with a sweet associates to friends to lovers dynamic between them. This relationship is very much a slow-burn, and very much on the back burner. While I respect that, as the emphasis of this book isn’t meant to be romance, a part of me does wish we’d seen a bit more of them in a romantic way.
As I’m thinking more about the book, I’m realizing that, though it’s well-written, the narration was sometimes confusing. If I wasn’t paying close enough attention, it was easy to miss Aster slipping into a flashback. In those situations, I had to be especially attentive so I knew when she had returned to present time. The book gives little indicators at the start of each chapter narrated by a different character even though it only happens a few times, so it would’ve been easy enough to similarly indicate time jumps.
Ultimately, this was neither great nor awful. I’d recommend it, but likely only to specific people, as I don’t think it would be everyone’s cup of tea. Despite some enjoyable elements, I’m not sure it’s my cup of tea. I may or may not pick up more from Solomon in the future.
Representation
- autistic Black queer nonbinary protagonist
- Black side characters
- queer side characters (includes nonbinary, sapphic, and aromantic asexual rep)
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Transphobia, Medical content, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Self harm, Abortion, and Pregnancy
booknerd85's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Murder
mariebrunelm'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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, and Abortion
Moderate: Eating disorder, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
ehmannky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Also this isn't, like, smart or insightful like so many of the other reviews here but
TW: A lot of talk of suicide, suicide ideation, suicidal tendencies, etc. I feel like most people who get into the book like me are aware that it's going to incorporate slavery and get into the graphic and horrific slavery based on the real life horrors of America, but I do not know if I was aware of just how much suicide was in this book. As someone with a personal experience with loss from suicide, it wasn't enough to put me off, but it could be for others.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Homophobia
Minor: Pregnancy
spacerkip'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
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Abortion
bookishcori's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion
Minor: Vomit