lazlostrange's review
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
himalaya's review
3.5
there’s definitely some interesting ideas here! I just didn't love the execution. It took me a long time to get through what is a pretty short book.
I think the way that all 3 narratives are just them recounting what happened there’s a bit of a disconnect? like at least one of them being in a different tense/pov could have made things more interesting. I was waiting for it to switch to things happening in the present but no, the entire thing is the characters telling us stuff that already happened. then randomly there’s a short epilogue in third person which feels entirely different from the rest of the book.
Interesting take on Frankenstein in relation to queerness, gender, IVF, mixed race experiences though.
Interesting take on Frankenstein in relation to queerness, gender, IVF, mixed race experiences though.
cozyquesadilla's review
3.0
Did everyone really live happily ever after in the end?
I appreciate the inclusive storytelling throughout this book. I definitely felt the ache and pain of each neglected and abused character.
Wish we heard more from ash and plum as they’re the unwieldy creatures that had the most significant impact on the story.
I appreciate the inclusive storytelling throughout this book. I definitely felt the ache and pain of each neglected and abused character.
Wish we heard more from ash and plum as they’re the unwieldy creatures that had the most significant impact on the story.
linguisticali's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
3.5
An interesting concept and retelling, but with some truly awful unconvincing dialogue that took me right out of it. I have to assume it was a stylistic choice to have the characters speak so woodenly, even when they were fluent English speakers communicating in English in a modern setting, but it didn't work for me.
ryan_pardue's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
jaymem's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
5.0
doilyglove13's review
The author’s characters are mostly written in inhuman absolutes, and on page 166 the author kills a character in child birth with a single dumb sentence. It’s weird the author could write such unique stories without real insight into people or the ability to relay it in prose, but they are certainly managing it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Blood, and Medical trauma
therazzmatazz13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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
4.5
jaimin's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0