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balth_the_chaotic_good's review
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia
Moderate: Death, Outing, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Racism, and Adult/minor relationship
sinmin667's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I first read this book five years ago and absolutely inhaled it. I think I loved the themes about Pentecostal religion and sexuality and wanted more books like it. I just finished rereading it a second time and I honestly didn't like it nearly as much-- I found her writing style to be very inaccessible if you were not very familiar with conversational British slang. Personally I'm not a huge fan of fantasy writing, so for the half of the book that is her fantastical internal monologue, I was very bored. I could tell it was her trying to develop the character, but it was exhausting to parse through. I think this is because the second time, I came wanting the story about a young girl coming to terms with her sexuality-- which honestly doesn't get that many scenes, and not much resolution. It wasn't as center stage as I remembered it to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, and Xenophobia
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