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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I felt sick most of the time while reading this book, especially at the ending. I had a very different story in mind from the blurb - the writing style and imagery were exquisite, I would love to read more (and less traumatic) by Rijneveld. This book has taught me to research content warning beforehand, even if that gives away spoilers, which I usually try to avoid. This is a dark, gruesome, quietly destructive tale told through a traumatised childlike lens - it's left me thinking lots, but unsure whether I want to repeat the experience! Perhaps that is the point...?
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars
I don't know how to review this. This book left a lump in my throat that I'm not sure will ever go away. I wish there had been a glimpse into another POV, though I get that the single POV was intentional and important. It just hurt. And it ended with so many things unresolved. Not that the ending was bad. It was what it needed to be. Still. I don't know. My heart hurts. This book was not good for my mental health.
Trauma aside, the imagery of this book is spectacular. It's unapologetically graphic, but each scene is symbolic. The tone itself is such an interesting contrast between a child's POV and these gruesome scenes. I usually avoid books with child main characters, but this was extremely well done.
I don't know how to review this. This book left a lump in my throat that I'm not sure will ever go away. I wish there had been a glimpse into another POV, though I get that the single POV was intentional and important. It just hurt. And it ended with so many things unresolved. Not that the ending was bad. It was what it needed to be. Still. I don't know. My heart hurts. This book was not good for my mental health.
Trauma aside, the imagery of this book is spectacular. It's unapologetically graphic, but each scene is symbolic. The tone itself is such an interesting contrast between a child's POV and these gruesome scenes. I usually avoid books with child main characters, but this was extremely well done.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Excrement, Grief, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Blood, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Abortion
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated