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sophie8's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A reread for me, and one of my favourite books. I absolutely love it, and would reccomend it to anyone who likes to read, no background Shakespeare knowledge needed. It's so easy to get into, the dynamics are addictive, it will make you laugh, break your heart, and on the second read through you can truly appreciate the equisite foreshadowing and literary parallels. The prose is beautiful, while still being perfectly readable, and the characters make speaking in Shakespeare quotes actually seem fun, witty and amusing. Could read it back to back no problem!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Gore, Alcohol, and Drug abuse
Minor: Violence, Suicide, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Grief
The only bit I'd call 'gore' is when they find *you know who's* dead body, but it's pretty graphic! Also, Meredith is slut shamed several times, which I've listed as sexism.ebalck27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Sexual content
lou702's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Its a very frustrating piece of art. The character do things that can almsot always be questioned. The death was unnessecary and unlogical but also slightly deserved. The character had no developement and had no good relationship with each other at many points. And to top it all of, it even has a cliffhanger, which makes it even more frustrating but also wanting for more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Emotional abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Addiction, Blood, and Drug abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Domestic abuse
sexyelderbug's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Homophobia
veliana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Grief, Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Vomit, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Violence
curlykristenk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Loved the character building at the beginning and throughout. Loved the way their characters all go a little mad even tho it’s a bit sad that they do. They are a little over the top but I think that was intentional due to them being die hard theatre kids and adding to them getting lost in the world of theatre.
I loved the poetry of some of the Shakespeare references. Both in the quotes (even though some of them were, imo, ill placed and at times a little cringy when they weren’t like necessarily poetic or added much. At the same time i could see how it really added to the narrative of the characters losing touch of reality outside of Shakespeare) and in the plot similarities at times. I could never really guess what was going to happen next which both I liked and disliked lol.
I’m sad about that ending for Meredith, just to be there for convenience. She deserves a man that loves her and that will choose her.
Filippa was a convenient character, especially towards the end, with not a lot of depth but was always there to solve a problem that the author came across. She didn’t have much backstory explained even though it got built up to have lots of potential for it.
Richards body being mangled, broken and twisted in odd ways and James’ story of him just slashing him with the hook don’t match. It’s a huuuge plot hole and I don’t understand how that could’ve been missed? I was convinced I read the initial description of how his body was found wrong so I went back and looked and yeah it just doesn’t match. And I’m confused about it.
I feel like overall the wrap up at the end was really rushed. Especially how Oliver found out about James and quickly skimmed over that to ask another question about another loose end of the book straight after hearing that. Then once all the loose ends were tied up after talking to colbourne only then does he have a bit of a menty b about it. I feel like it was just rushed because he’s been waiting 10 years to get out and see the love of his life and he learns that and then asks about other people? Nah I’d go non-verbal except screams. It was just like a bit disingenuous compared to the rest of the book and the great character building. Loved the lil Cliff hanger tho hehe
Overall loved the book! I think I would give it a 5 if it weren’t for the huge plot hole that maybe I’m still mistaken about? If you’ve read this far plz tell me if I’m wrong haha
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Murder, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Domestic abuse and Eating disorder
sadiegenene25's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
I cried. I’m still crying. This book is so upsetting and it might be my favorite thing i’ve ever read. Best read of 2024 so far and I will never get over it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use
thesunalsorises's review
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
God Oliver...
Could he be any stupider?
The ending is gut wrenching and maddening and the way it was unraveling was brilliant! I never suspected it to end that way.
The character development stupefied me. Well written and well thought out.
🌟 kudus to you M.L.Rio
Could he be any stupider?
The ending is gut wrenching and maddening and the way it was unraveling was brilliant! I never suspected it to end that way.
The character development stupefied me. Well written and well thought out.
🌟 kudus to you M.L.Rio
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Murder, Alcoholism, Violence, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Cursing
Readers should be of ageissysamb's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Death, Drug abuse, Violence, Murder, and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide and Eating disorder
odreadingtime's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Suicide