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librarymouse's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is very.much not what I was expecting from a book advertised as a retelling of Jekyll and Hyde, but overall, I enjoyed it immensely!
the society not being at the root of the deaths in the novel was also not what I was expecting, but I really appreciated the twist. The creation of a dark academia society with engraved name plaques is strange, but fits the setting. One thing I don't really get, but again, also do understand, is the headmistress not reading the investigation notebook before she burned it. However, I do understand her not wanting to learn about atrocities she may have committed. Lottie and Alice are adorable together and I love the bloody and devoted relationship that evolved from their semi-mutual animosity. One thing I would critique is the repeated refe ence to Lottie not being asexual with her newfound attraction to Alice. Asexuality is an umbrella term, and if she's only attracted to Alice, she may still be able to identify with a term under the umbrella.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Self harm, Gaslighting, Gore, Death, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Terminal illness
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
The Details:
Narrated by Farrah Cave and Beth Easdown
Unabridged
Absolutely adored Every Exquisite Thing, so was excited to see that Steven's debut was available through my library app.
This is a sapphic, modern gothic retelling of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
I'm not sure if it wad the share name of Lottie combined with the sapphic grumpy x sunshine, but it at first had a wholesome likness to The Rosewood Chronicles. It also reminded me of Claire and Elise from The Coldest Touch.
This was such a good story!
I definitely see improvements in storytelling and writing style in the delivery of the modern gothic/dark academia genre, going back to this after reading Every Exquisite Thing, but it wasn't off putting.
The conversations did feel a little more juvenile than I'd expected but it was easily overlooked once I connected to the characters and got really invested in the story.
This inspiration of the classic has made me appreciate the themes of mental health that the original introduces.
I hope there are more in to come from these retellings, as I see these as becoming very beloved.
Narrated by Farrah Cave and Beth Easdown
Unabridged
Absolutely adored Every Exquisite Thing, so was excited to see that Steven's debut was available through my library app.
This is a sapphic, modern gothic retelling of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
I'm not sure if it wad the share name of Lottie combined with the sapphic grumpy x sunshine, but it at first had a wholesome likness to The Rosewood Chronicles. It also reminded me of Claire and Elise from The Coldest Touch.
This was such a good story!
I definitely see improvements in storytelling and writing style in the delivery of the modern gothic/dark academia genre, going back to this after reading Every Exquisite Thing, but it wasn't off putting.
The conversations did feel a little more juvenile than I'd expected but it was easily overlooked once I connected to the characters and got really invested in the story.
This inspiration of the classic has made me appreciate the themes of mental health that the original introduces.
I hope there are more in to come from these retellings, as I see these as becoming very beloved.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual harassment, Murder, Sexual content, Bullying, Child death, Toxic relationship, Gore, Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual assault, Violence, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
of_fantasy_and_fibre's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved the two main characters and how they wrapped up and packaged their anger. This is a strong theme in this book and the way the world labels women and their anger. The grump /sunshine plot in this worked well not because they made each other better but how they came together to give an overall balance to each challenge they faced. This overall was a hopeful story in how to give us the will to turn that anger we feel into motivation to arm ourselves and not let it turn into self hatred. As an angry girl who has somewhat been given the tool to realise it's passion and caring at the heart of my anger I invite you to take the little trip into this world and hopefully find what your anger is rooted in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Bullying, Misogyny, Blood, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Mental illness
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