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bites_of_books's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
The mystery itself is quite interesting but I couldn't help but be distracted by the confusing writing and the racist and ableist language used.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Medical content, Alcoholism, Ableism, Murder, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Racism, Suicide, Bullying, Chronic illness, Grief, and Sexism
the_cat_on_a_bookcase's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Death, Ableism, and Murder
lovesarahmae's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
#TheWestingGame by #EllenRaskin
...
My stands-the-test-of-time run has run out. The Westing Game, a favorite of past generations, has perhaps run its course. The plot is semi-solid: the mystery is deep, the premise of competeting to find a killer, and win the inheritance holds up. It could be adapted into a fun limited series or movie, but so many of the characterizations are woefully outdated. I loved this book as a kid, but kids today are going to be uncomfortable with the language, protrayl of women, Asians, and the disabled. Do not recommend for 2023.
...
My stands-the-test-of-time run has run out. The Westing Game, a favorite of past generations, has perhaps run its course. The plot is semi-solid: the mystery is deep, the premise of competeting to find a killer, and win the inheritance holds up. It could be adapted into a fun limited series or movie, but so many of the characterizations are woefully outdated. I loved this book as a kid, but kids today are going to be uncomfortable with the language, protrayl of women, Asians, and the disabled. Do not recommend for 2023.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, and Racism
rey_reads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Despite being a children's book, this is much better written than most YA fiction currently on the market. Quite fast paced and an easy read, so was good to get me out of a reading slump.
There's a lot of characters, but I felt they were all reasonably well developed - mostly focusing on the viewpoint of certain characters helped. I ended up so attached to them that the ending made me quite sad, which was particularly impressive as this book is only about 200 pages long.
The plot was very clever; I was able to figure out some elements before they were revealed, but there were enough twists that I remained invested until the end. I don't think I would've been able to predict the final plot twist, but it did make me re-evaluate the way I'd viewed certain characters throughout the book; I think the reader is successfully mislead in places.
Definitely an enjoyable read.
There's a lot of characters, but I felt they were all reasonably well developed - mostly focusing on the viewpoint of certain characters helped. I ended up so attached to them that the ending made me quite sad, which was particularly impressive as this book is only about 200 pages long.
The plot was very clever; I was able to figure out some elements before they were revealed, but there were enough twists that I remained invested until the end. I don't think I would've been able to predict the final plot twist, but it did make me re-evaluate the way I'd viewed certain characters throughout the book; I think the reader is successfully mislead in places.
Definitely an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
Minor: Suicide and Alcoholism
odrib's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Ableism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Body shaming, and Antisemitism
Minor: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Suicide, Death, and Child death
meganpbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book is very interesting. I remember reading it and loving it in middle school, which is the target age group for this book.
There are some instances of Xenophobia and Ableism, as well as misogyny, and half of the humor is based on pulling people apart. There's a disabled character who gets better by the end (mostly by choice), and the main character's mother has never loved her.
When I got a specific section on chess, I realized where I'd learned about the Queen's Sacrifice. It was this book.
There are some instances of Xenophobia and Ableism, as well as misogyny, and half of the humor is based on pulling people apart. There's a disabled character who gets better by the end (mostly by choice), and the main character's mother has never loved her.
When I got a specific section on chess, I realized where I'd learned about the Queen's Sacrifice. It was this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, and Ableism
mortonsspoon's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
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