Reviews tagging 'Blood'

They by Kay Dick, Scholes

5 reviews

braggsy's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• 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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief

Minor: Domestic abuse, Murder, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Confinement

caitlin_123a's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

spooderman's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief

Moderate: Torture, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Violence

Minor: Suicide attempt and Death of parent

janiswong's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A dark, dystopian novel that was contemporary for its time centered around the loss of individual artistic autonomy. I enjoyed the lack of context and insight into personal lives. The book was much darker than I expected and I felt tense throughout the short book. Dick's writing is gripping, full of mystery, and leaves the reader to fill in the gaps. The short stories as independent chapters, taken metaphorically, reminded me of how technologies can also have dimming effects, as people may slowly lose their individuality through the wearing down by infinitely scrolling online... A much needed short read that feels fresh, poignant, and relevant, even though written 50 years ago.

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Murder, Blood, and Death

nstew16's review against another edition

dark hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

• 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

5.0

For fans of dystopian literature, the introduction by Carmen Maria Machado is so full of insight and appreciation for the genre.

As for the book itself, the writing style alone was amazing. If you love the ocean, art, and reading, this book explores the beauty and responsibilities of both so candidly. Stylistically it reminded me a lot of Kate Wilhelm's Abyss.

I was also reminded while reading of the many reasons why I don't actively seek out horror. The last time I read anything resembling horror was reading Roald Dahl's The Landlady. It does exactly what it should as a horror.

It ends as I expected it to, with no resolution but a hint of hope. I don't think a reader can possibly as for anything more from this short exploration into what it means when creativity is feared.

Other books that They reminded me of:
1. Abyss
2. The Landlady
3. The Circle/The Every

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Torture, and Violence