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annreadsabook's review
- 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 think this book is sometimes marketed as being a “fun” read and I’m not sure I agree with that…the magical realism element itself is fun, I suppose, but most of the substance is quite serious and weighty. In general, I found this a creative tale that interweaves magical realism with real lived experiences. I will say that Neil was not a particularly likable character (I feel that was a goal of Sathian’s, though) and there was one early plot point that kind of confused me and felt incredible even when I suspended my disbelief…Ultimately, a solid read but I’m not sure that this “wowed” me in the way I was hoping.
If you’re interested in magical realism, this might be for you! Please do check out the content warnings for this as there is some heavy content.
Graphic: Child death and Suicide
Moderate: Bullying, Drug abuse, and Drug use
kinomatica's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Suicide, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Colonisation, Drug use, and Child death
Moderate: Addiction, Dementia, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Gun violence
franklola's review
- 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
Moderate: Suicide, Child death, and Drug use
multiplyoctopi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Drug use and Addiction
Minor: Eating disorder, Child death, Death, and Suicide
meredith_williams_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child death, Drug use, Drug abuse, Grief, and Suicide
Minor: Eating disorder
zombiezami's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Death, Child death, and Addiction
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Mental illness, Infidelity, and Cursing
Minor: Dementia, Gun violence, Animal death, Racism, Xenophobia, Homophobia, and Fire/Fire injury