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living_dead_girl's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, and Mental illness
My favorite quote from the book (censored as best I could to avoid spoilers but marked just in case!) : "It really was an intense reaction - almost scary. I can't help but think about how there's a whole spectrum of ways that people respond to things like rape and assault. [ ] and [ ] are so different. And [ ] response was different still. And we're different people, so, of course, we all respond differently to trauma... [ ] says she wants to unbreak her... but you can't take a survivor's journey for them. ... Sometimes fighting for all the women who came after you is the most powerful way to heal...How many discoveries and breakthroughs have we lost out on because women were pushed out of science before they had the chance to make them?"runes_reads's review
- 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
4.75
I finished this read in under a week, in about four sittings. It was so good, one I started a page, I couldn’t put it down for a while. The liked the dedication at the beginning, and I was able to get a feel for Harley’s character right away through the writing of her POV. I was rooting for her right away, but I felt like I continued to discover more and more about her, especially as she grew throughout the story. Her character was able to remain consistent, and still evolve as a person. The main cast was so lovable, I was cheering for everyone on of them.
The representation is great, with the main characters being a part of a multiple socioeconomic classes, races, ethnicities, and neurotypes. Harley herself, the protagonist, was confirmed ADHD in the story, and has had romantic relationships with both men and women, although she doesn’t put a label on it.
There’s definitely some heavier content warnings on this, so be sure to check them out before reading. Unfortunately, there’s no content warnings in the book. The dedication was nice, and really fit with the story. I loved the cover art and design as well!
I would say this book is medium paced, but more fast paced towards the end. There’s flashbacks which are done well, as well as sheets of notebook paper written on by a character. I won’t spoil that part, but it’s done well.
Overall, this book was a 4.75 for me! I really enjoyed it, and can’t wait to get me hands on the sequel. According to Amazon, there’s a third book coming out in April of 2024. There were so many twists, but they were foreshadowed so cleverly! It’s not a five star for me, only because I feel like conversations like this need to include trans people, and near the end I got a bit confused. I enjoyed this book a ton overall, there are many tropes that I adore in it.
Graphic: Misogyny, Addiction, Medical content, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Confinement, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Drug use, Stalking, Grief, Drug abuse, and Murder
christikb's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
mediocremasen's review
- 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
3.0
The twists are also very interesting and compelling.
It's a fun read that maybe could have been a bit quicker, but I understand wanting to develop the world and the characters to show the differences with other canon examples.
The friendships were fun and the evolution at the wrapup in the end is realistic, if not a bit sad.
Very interested to see what happens in the next book.
Moderate: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Stalking, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Grief, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, and Torture
jnl00700's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Violence, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Torture, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Rape, and Emotional abuse