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hauntedantiqueshop's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
The mental health disorders and neurological disability being displayed in this was so insulting. I can see it being somewhat intentional with the “Oh it was back in the day, there wasn’t an understanding of autism then” but even that was done with no care in mind because then the literal abuse she endured wasn’t condemned at any other point. And depicting someone with a psychotic disorder as violent and murderous— all to be just a red herring? Groundbreaking, just absolutely innovative. Never been done. 🙄
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Torture, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Hate crime, Rape, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
Brief mention and/or implied for all minor warnings, nothing goes into detailsar_she_her's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
The use of those themes feels insensitive, exploitive, and gratuitous in a way that made me feel sick. Probably most painful portrayal of scapegoating I've ever read, just in very poor taste.
The great spooky mood-setting and abandoned/archival imagery could have been woven into a really good story, if only there had been better character development.
While the aforementioned poor decisions of representation were effective "shock-value" (at best a brutal commentary on exploitation of zealots and group-think) the storytelling could have been just as effective without the horrible representation.
Too bad, bc someone recommended it, and I was hoping to like it and recommend to my friends in Sweden. But now I certainly won't, especially with them being caring teachers and parents.
I'm truly surprised the mainstream was so enchanted by the good elements of her writing, and could so easily overlook and accept the horrendous facets.
What bugs me ultimately is having someone from a more privileged demographic sensationalize the exploitation of an underprivileged group. It's problematic and a form of misappropriation essentially having the credit go to, and focus be on, an artist who thinks something "would be a good idea" but at the cost of representing *others'* stories or trauma.
Graphic: Hate crime, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Mental illness
bookishgoob's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
jodine'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
3.5
Graphic: Hate crime, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
stephbakerbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
The narrator did a good job too. The blurb compares this book to two movies, and I think if I'd been familiar with those movies I probably wouldn't have read this...but honestly did not know what those movies were about lol. So this rating is my own fault; this genre is just not one that I particularly enjoy and, though I'm entertained while reading, I'm left with a "meh" feeling and a desire to start a different book immediately.
I was disappointed in the characters in this one. I never felt like I got to know any of them, not really. Even the main character doesn't have any tangible development. So I didn't really care about the characters as much as I would've liked. They made stupid decisions which of course had consequences and I just shrugged and kept reading.
Also, the "answer" to the mystery...was too unbelievable for me. I was left with a lot of questions about plausibility that I feel like were just ignored for the sake of the plot.
But like I said, this genre just doesn't do it for me—if you enjoy a good plot-focused mystery with spooky/creepy/horror elements, you'll probably like this one!
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Torture, Blood, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
herelieshenry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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: Ableism, Hate crime, Mental illness, Rape, Religious bigotry, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Ableism against Autistic & Intellectually Disabled character including demonization,casslibraria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy