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idahol7221's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Rape, and Torture
river_robin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Incest, Fatphobia, Rape, and Torture
luna_snowfeather's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
We follow 2 teens in mexico as they graple with their place in society. Melchor's writing makes you almost feel for them as you are brought into this intense moment in their lives, when they are really at their worst. What they do is horrific, and completely deranged.
I have seen many bad reviews for this book, and can put it down only to its very graphic writing. It is not for the delicate, and features very graphic and vivid images of sexual violence and complete madness. If that's not for you, then do not read this.
I found it so unbelievably adictive, I only wanted to continue. The pages practically turned themselves, especially at the end... I'd recomend to anyone who is mentally able to take it, it's not for everyone.
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Fatphobia, Incest, Misogyny, Murder, Alcohol, Torture, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Child death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Violence
georgiarybanks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Minor: Violence, Torture, Gun violence, Death, Blood, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, and Murder
soj19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Murder, Sexual assault, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Torture, Gun violence, Gore, Death, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Homophobia
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.25
w/ that said, a lot of the content can be raw, dark and challenging. this isnt a bad thing, esp as it's a necessity in the book, inseparable from the reality of the world depicted. my issue is when coupled w/ the endless droning narrative - or unending descriptions thats bafflingly detailed to the point of being redundant, to be more apt - of the story's first half, it becomes almost unbearable to trudge on and read.
ig melchor's technical and stylistic choice here is supposed to firmly put readers into polo's and franco's heads, providing a rationale or explanation for two main characters' warped views and choices that ultimately result in the tragic ending, but it simply overwhelms the narrative for me. the entire first half's spent describing and explaining both characters' psyches and situations, and imo for a supposed thriller there's too little action that drives the story forward, w/ the characters' actual plotting and action - which is excellent btw - only taking place in the last 20% or so.
considering the book's rating im obvs in the minority here and i do wish i could like it, but this just isnt it for me.
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Kidnapping
Minor: Torture
drwozniak's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Torture, Fatphobia, and Rape
thebooksanctuary's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Torture and Violence
_chonklord_'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? No
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Blood, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Addiction, and Toxic friendship
victoriajacobi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Gun violence, Drug use, Classism, Alcoholism, Rape, Violence, Sexual harassment, Torture, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Moderate: Homophobia