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alidrooler's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abortion, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Addiction, Murder, Classism, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Rape, Suicide, Torture, Trafficking, and Violence
ncoletti's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, Trafficking, and Torture
meera_pn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Murder, Car accident, Sexual violence, Rape, and Physical abuse
elmtreebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The first half of the book is richly detailed and immersive , and I really enjoyed the multiple POVs of the MC Ajay, Neha, and Sunny. They all frustrate and disappoint but it feels authentic to their dark story.
But then, after all that build up, the story just kind of… stops. And I get the intentional parallel of the ending to the accident at the beginning of the book but ugh. To spend so long in this world only for the story to be incomplete is so unsatisfying.
It was only after reading reviews that I realized this is going to be the first book in a trilogy. Ok, fine. But even in a series, each book should have a complete and satisfying arc that stands alone.
I won’t be returning to this world for book 2. I’m more disappointed because so much about this book was amazing, and now I feel let down, instead of it just being mediocre the whole way through.
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Abortion
carolinemb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Alcoholism, Slavery, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Alcohol, Car accident, Child death, Rape, Trafficking, Violence, Addiction, Drug use, and Sexual assault
deagaric's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved the unpredictable story line and the family saga aspect of the tale. Though I strongly recommend glancing at the trigger warnings before starting this book (the continued rape and sodomy of a minor is very explicit and highly disturbing and I genuinely wish I had skipped reading those chapters), Kapoor also adds in details about the strengths of human bonds and the need for secure attachment to others even when raised around violence and neglect. Quite a few comedic moments as well, particularly from Sunny's assistant, Eli, towards the end.
I also liked learning about India's geography and spent a decent amount of time googling up the places so I can imagine the setting more clearly. The author was born and raised in northern India and I think brings a special expertise to capturing it as a backdrop to the story.
The reason I give this a 4 rather than 5 is the weird pacing; it'll be 100mph for dozens of pages, and then slow down into a school-zone pace for a 100 more. Particularly around the point of Book/Section 3 and 4, the story became a slog, and took willpower to push through to the end. I assume a lot of the seemling unnecessary backstory will become important in the second and third book of this trilogy, so keeping my eyes peeled for that!
Graphic: Violence, Alcohol, Gore, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Addiction, Murder, Car accident, Drug abuse, Gun violence, and Blood
Minor: Child abuse, Abortion, Torture, and Death of parent
spongebobbiii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Violence, Murder, Gun violence, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
dan047's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Car accident, Cursing, Physical abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Rape, Trafficking, Drug use, Violence, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Alcoholism, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
eringl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Rape, Murder, Gun violence, Drug use, Torture, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Car accident, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Addiction
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Medical content, and Abortion
missmelissarae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I’m not even curious how it ends because it just drones on for so long.
Graphic: Rape, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts