Reviews

Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

skitkatz's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.25

it honestly confused me a little . if a book can be considered too open ended this book definitely is

izypup's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

The ending is mostly what threw me off and felt lacking. I did also feel that throughout the time skips somethings felt underdeveloped. Although, these are things that I assume didn’t involve Natsuki and she didn’t necessarily care about. 
I don’t think any of the characters behaved in ways that felt like the author jumped the shark because I believed that these characters had the capabilities of acting irrationally. 
Natsuki’s childhood in particular felt well-written and really hooked me and I specifically enjoyed the way disassociation was framed and how child minds rationalize things in ways that aren’t actually rational. 

While some of the themes were disturbing, it’s never very explicit in its descriptions even though you know exactly what’s happening. It doesn’t read as shock horror and while parts were gross, it didn’t put me off from the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Death, Confinement, Child abuse, Blood, Cannibalism, Misogyny, and Incest

Moderate: Grief, Violence, Pregnancy, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Vomit, Animal death, Bullying, Stalking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

martiwndr's review against another edition

Too much 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment

sarahanwar's review against another edition

3.5

Umm … i like fucked up lit as much as the next person but this was CRAZY

nathalienadamas's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Cannibalism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Incest, Adult/minor relationship, and Murder

medinagiovanna's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

4.75

“Survive, whatever it takes.” 🧃🛸

I went into this completely blind, making it a better read. The cover is cute and sweet, but the words on the inside are far from it.  By chapter two, I was physically repulsed; I had so much compassion for Natsuki. From a child's naive outlook trying to comprehend right and wrong, the concept of finding our place in society was portrayed exceptionally well. I don’t want to give too much away because it takes away from the strong plot; heavy topics are discussed, so be sure to inform yourself before picking it up! 

stinetro's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

izzy_o's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

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

2.0

This book started off interesting and unique, and for all of the weird, creepy twists it could have made to keep it a great book, it failed miserably. I appreciate the idea of keeping things open for interpretation, but this wasn't that, just missed the mark and leaves you dissatisfied and scratching your head at the end.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Cannibalism, and Child abuse

Minor: Incest

maziemouse's review against another edition

3.75

I WENT INTO THIS BLIND AND NOW I WISH I WAS BLIND. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Cannibalism, Death, and Physical abuse

poopierobroby's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-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