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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
"Shark Heart" is a heartbreaking story that explores the depths of love and commitment we have for those around us. Lewis and Wren are living their happily ever after and are still in their honeymoon phase of being newlyweds when Lewis receives a strange diagnosis. Lewis will remember mostly everything about himself, but his body will evolve into a great white shark. Wren tries to cope with slowly losing her husband and seeks solace with a pregnant woman who is going through her own situation with someone she loves becoming an animal.
This book was strange, but not necessarily in a bad way. I think this world in which people slowly turn into animals is a great metaphor for losing people to terminal diseases. Wren is experiencing the same feelings someone might feel if they found out their husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Wren is slowly losing her husband, and there is nothing she can do to stop it. She can be his caretaker until he becomes too difficult in his primal state, and she will have to say goodbye.
This is not the first experience Wren has had with people turning into animals, and the novel does explore some of her older memories to provide more narrative on more experiences of what it is like to lose someone to this horrid disease. In this world, not every person becomes the same animal, and some animals are easier to handle than others, allowing people more time with their loved ones.
Although I think this is a beautiful story that really explores love, memory, and identity in a poetic way, it did not land for me. I was never fully invested in Wren's story, and I am not 100% sure why. My heart went out to Wren, and I felt her devastation at watching her husband slowly change, but I was never captivated enough in her story to want more.
This is an interesting book and a great run at a debut.
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Violence
agucwa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Terminal illness and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
mxyfrzn's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Abortion, and Pandemic/Epidemic
breanneporter's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
It’s certainly a whacky concept but it was an interesting thought experiment and I liked the format of the novel, which had short chapters and various “scenes,” as if from a play that Lewis was writing. I really liked Wren’s backstory and how her past was gradually revealed to us. I was engaged and interested to keep reading, but was disappointed by the ending.
All in all it’s a fairly enjoyable short read and time will tell if it leaves a larger impression on me.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
norspider's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Shark Heart tells of love that ends in tragedy. Of people who are loved, even with the worst parts of themselves. Of finding beauty, meaning, and purpose in the mundane. Written in a unique style; blending prose, poetry, and play. Emily Habeck has crafted something eminently readable.
Set in multiple distinct parts, this book explores the many facets of relationships; how they can begin, how they endure, and how they (sometimes) end.
Shark Heart is inspiring, uplifting, and tragic.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy
emilywemily6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
cait'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? It's complicated
3.75
Minor: Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Self harm, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Blood, Medical content, and Grief
blakeandbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Medical content, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
carlyjb16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death and Blood
Minor: Abortion and Pregnancy