Scan barcode
zorawitchin's review against another edition
2.0
I theoretically like southern gothic! I enjoy it! I have a good time! But I truly believe I would only enjoy this book properly if I was a white gay man from the South and alas I am not.
hexentart's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
*insert Internal_Screaming.gif here*
WHAT A DAMN GOOD BOOK!
Such an intense and intricate tale, with beautifully crafted lore, and an intriguing cast of characters.
Still drowning in all the feels.
WHAT A DAMN GOOD BOOK!
Such an intense and intricate tale, with beautifully crafted lore, and an intriguing cast of characters.
Still drowning in all the feels.
kishma_'s review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this was an intense book. Literally felt like my heart was being crushed the entire time. I def recommend the audiobook for this as well! Really enjoyed it.
batesbarb's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
lblackburn04's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
I overall really enjoyed the book and its general vibe, however it had a few flaws that stopped it being rated higher.
The first half of the book is super slow and I nearly gave up on it; I’m glad I didn’t because the 2nd half was super captivating.
I did find the random street races off putting and out of place, and I felt as though the book could have benefitted from less of those and an extended ending.
The first half of the book is super slow and I nearly gave up on it; I’m glad I didn’t because the 2nd half was super captivating.
I did find the random street races off putting and out of place, and I felt as though the book could have benefitted from less of those and an extended ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Racism
cpociask's review against another edition
5.0
The character development in this book is so phenomenal.
Mandelo’s prose is…moderately pretentious but beautiful, and it works so well for the setting of this book.
I loved the juxtaposition of the elitist academic world with the backcountry street racing boys.
AND it’s SUPER LGBTQ+ without making identity and sexuality the big “hardship” of the book, while still tackling the subject gracefully, love to see it.
Mandelo’s prose is…moderately pretentious but beautiful, and it works so well for the setting of this book.
I loved the juxtaposition of the elitist academic world with the backcountry street racing boys.
AND it’s SUPER LGBTQ+ without making identity and sexuality the big “hardship” of the book, while still tackling the subject gracefully, love to see it.
iagorotten's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
garion_kim24's review against another edition
3.0
- Eddie felt like a really distant character in this book for me idk. Even though he's the driving force of the story, his character is only in the perspective of his friends and colleagues, but never anything two-dimensional IMO. There's a few snippets of himself, his motives and his time with Andrew, but like I said, they're from Andrew's perspective and not his. IDK I just thought he'd have a bigger role, but he's kinda just haunting the narrative, but like..heavily in the background.
-This story delves into masculinity, which I don't mind at all, it's just kinda funny to have your main villain to be a woman lol. (They had to make her white and from a family with a plantation to really hone it in, but the academic discussion of race with West was interesting at least). None of the other female characters were overall that impactful aside from maybe Del, but her ass is dropped like halfway into the novel, so it's kinda???
- ANDREW NEEDS TO GET HIS ASS UP. OMG his ass is so slow. this book would be half its length if Andrew didn't halt conversation so abruptly, or dismiss things last minute. 200 pages into this book was a slog for this exact reason. what does all these drugs, parties, and race-car driving have to do with Eddie's death??? like I don't you're trying to get info but girrrlll beating someone up isn't exactly getting a clue LOL
(it could be the writing slogging it down, but I didn't hate the writing that much honestly. I think Mandelo is very talented.)
- The yaoi sex with Sam and Andrew was fine tho. I kinda liked them as a couple.
-This story delves into masculinity, which I don't mind at all, it's just kinda funny to have your main villain to be a woman lol. (They had to make her white and from a family with a plantation to really hone it in, but the academic discussion of race with West was interesting at least). None of the other female characters were overall that impactful aside from maybe Del, but her ass is dropped like halfway into the novel, so it's kinda???
- ANDREW NEEDS TO GET HIS ASS UP. OMG his ass is so slow. this book would be half its length if Andrew didn't halt conversation so abruptly, or dismiss things last minute. 200 pages into this book was a slog for this exact reason. what does all these drugs, parties, and race-car driving have to do with Eddie's death??? like I don't you're trying to get info but girrrlll beating someone up isn't exactly getting a clue LOL
(it could be the writing slogging it down, but I didn't hate the writing that much honestly. I think Mandelo is very talented.)
- The yaoi sex with Sam and Andrew was fine tho. I kinda liked them as a couple.
donnyeatsbooks's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0