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e1oh1's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
Schrieve treats magical ability as another intersection of identity in a country that is hostile to the vast majority of its people, transcending the "magical creatures as a metaphor for the oppressed" trope. While reading I was reminded both of nostalgic moments of my angsty queer youth with rebellious friends, and of the real grief our formative years can hold.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
In the first chapter the main character's uncle violently rejects them because of their gender identity and status as a zombie. It is not a long scene, and the character is taken in by a kindly adult afterwards. However it is briefly intense.wiildsage's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book absolutely owns, I could not ask for more from a book. As a trans disabled person who has longed for representation that’s not 100% about being marginalized and not 100% depressing but doesn’t brush the realities of being a marginalized person to the side, this book really hits the spot. I also have never seen a book blend reality with fantasy in such a realistic way that, at times, you forget you don’t live in a world where werewolf and zombie rights are a major issue. The literacy of social justice issues that went into this book is very commendable, and the creativity that went into the worldbuilding here in general will blow you away. You’ll come away a more empathetic person with a deeper understanding of the world we live in AND you’ll have a new favorite zombie/werewolf/etc framework after reading Out of Salem. You won’t regret it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Deadnaming, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Car accident, and Mental illness
Minor: Antisemitism and Lesbophobia
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