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emilyfedewa's review against another edition
5.0
Ava Reid is a genius writer!!! her prose blew me away (even though there were perhaps too many similes lol). I liked the way that sex was handled in this book, especially since it was explored from the perspective of consensual sex and non-consensual sex. neither was sensationalized which I thought was great. that also leads into my next point of this never feeling like trauma porn. I think books like this, with so many horrific things happening to the characters, have a potential to glorify that trauma, but I don't think Ava Reid did that here at all. all the characters were also very complex and interesting. overall I am so so impressed and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work!!
Graphic: Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Vomit, Blood, Sexual assault, Rape, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Eating disorder
pencil_case's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Rape, Body horror, Death, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit
birtelesemann'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
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Violence, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Body horror, Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Rape
Moderate: Cannibalism
Minor: Abortion
nicolescottwv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Rape, Cannibalism, Gore, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Vomit, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Death of parent
sarahbethhh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Body horror, Eating disorder, Blood, Domestic abuse, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Medical trauma, and Adult/minor relationship
ale24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Blood, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gore, Violence, Eating disorder, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Antisemitism, Sexual harassment, Animal cruelty, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Death of parent, Incest, Sexism, Cannibalism, Classism, and Rape
bohboh'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Eating disorder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Vomit, Misogyny, Colonisation, Cursing, Xenophobia, Body shaming, Death, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape and Pedophilia
morgangd'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder, Body shaming, Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Rape, Gaslighting, Sexism, Antisemitism, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcoholism
valgiroux's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, and Cannibalism
stavoosh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
i found the writing to be very compelling especially in the exposition of the book. it explained this world of magic and begins the character arc of each person through fantastical imagery and a folklore touch. i think it discusses serious topics, like abuse, in a fitting way and i didn't find it exaggerated for the point of the story. i even bought my own copy after reading a few chapters.
here's why i returned my copy: i have very particular taste, i guess, and i found the body horror, repeated vomiting, and gore to be written for the purpose of arousal which made me feel sick, to be honest. additionally, i understand marlinchen, the main character, is supposed to have a character arc of becoming brave and facing her fears, but she was so pathetic the whole time that it annoyed me. i also didn't feel like there was a reason for the romance beyond marlinchen being attracted to Sebas. most of these complaints are due to my own taste in novels and fantasy. i wouldn't want to deter anyone from reading it, it just wasn't for me.
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Gore, Body horror, Death, Sexual assault, and Alcoholism