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lalapaka13's review
- 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
It was DEEPLY disturbing throughout in a way that I'm finding very difficult to describe, I think because there was such an undercurrent of sexual violence on literally every page. There are a number of very graphic sex scenes and SO MANY nipples and like, not in a good way. Huge amounts of the plot hinge on detailed childhood abuse and trauma, as well as violence, cannibalism and disordered eating.
Personally, I thought this book was incredibly well written in a way that made me horribly intrigued. I couldn't stop reading, the same way you can't stop looking at a car crash. I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys a book that really gets under your skin, I think I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Body horror, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Eating disorder, Self harm, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Violence, Vomit, Antisemitism, Murder, and Sexual violence
hennie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, and Emotional abuse
nikileighsmile's review against another edition
4.25
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Death, Violence, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
erks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
Also just not a fan of this writing style, the amount of times the words breasts or seed I read gave me the ick
Graphic: Vomit, Xenophobia, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
ska1224's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Addiction, Alcohol, Gore, Racism, Sexual violence, War, Murder, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Antisemitism, Body horror, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
slatereads'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
5.0
At multiple points in this novel I wasn't expecting to rate it so highly. But Reid brings everything together so solidly in the final three chapters that it changes the entire experience - bringing the mystery and overlapping plotlines into a fully formed, clear image, and tying up threads you may even have forgotten about.
This book grabbed me by the throat and didn't let me go until I was done reading - or even then, as I'm still thinking about it regularly days after finishing it. Marlinchen had this gradual, solid character development arc that takes you almost by surprise when you realise she's no longer the girl you started with at the beginning of the book. Sevas is sweet, and doting, and still complex - despite the book not focusing on him, you feel like you know him, and know that there are depths you don't see, as well. I wish we saw him more, but I understand how the narrative doesn't allow for it.
I can't wait to reread this and pick up on all the hints and foreshadowing from the beginning.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault and Cannibalism
nikenacs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Murder, Xenophobia, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Eating disorder, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Violence, Antisemitism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Self harm
studiouspencil's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Vomit, Antisemitism, Emotional abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, Xenophobia, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Cannibalism
msrae89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Self harm, Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Blood, Body horror, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Murder, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Domestic abuse, and Vomit
lydiasturges'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
5.0
The quiet despair of Marlinchen was utterly breathtaking and tragic. I loved the simultaneous whimsy and horror of the story. I do enjoy a good unreliable narrator who just doesn’t know what’s going on and gives off the vibe that they are slightly losing their mind. The abuse she suffered at the hands of her family should have made her mean and cruel, but Marlinchen really is a kind person. I also loved Sevas. A delightfully complex character who cares so deeply.
While some aspects of the story were easy to see coming, I didn’t care because it was executed so well.
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse