Scan barcode
morebedsidebooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, Drug use, Slavery, Death, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Medical trauma, Grief, and Infertility
annalisaely's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adored this so much, the characters were all awesome in their own ways, including having a lot of growth in different areas. The action and vibes were just as advertised, a delightful Old West inspired world but with a little magic and lots of ghosts, and a bunch of badass lady outlaws who only steal from people who deserve it. Also happy queer people, yay!
Personally I thought the heavy topics were handled very well, but I haven't experienced any of these issues personally. I have very high empathy and can't read things that graphically describe many of these things, but the way it was handled allowed me to process the topics without having to take on the pain of the characters.
Personally I thought the heavy topics were handled very well, but I haven't experienced any of these issues personally. I have very high empathy and can't read things that graphically describe many of these things, but the way it was handled allowed me to process the topics without having to take on the pain of the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Death
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Slavery, Trafficking, and Violence
samusc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow what a debut this is! This feminist found-family western doesn't pause even for a minute.
There are a ton of great elements to this book, here's just a few:
There are a ton of great elements to this book, here's just a few:
- The development of Aster and Violet's friendship feels so real.
I really hope we see Violet again in the sequel. I don't handle character's sacrificing themselves well, especially one so well written. - The vengeants and raveners are horrifying! As if running from unjust laws wasn't enough, our heroes are also running from malevolent spirits and men with the ability to break your mind with ease.
- Aster's experience with working through trauma are authentic and messy. Her reluctance to trust others makes sense considering her circumstances.
Our sapphic girls, Tansy and Mallow, survive and are happy together. - Charlotte Nicole Davis pulls from dark American history (as well as current events and impacts) for this story including slave catching patrols, hysterectomies performed without consent/gynecology surgical experimentation/forced sterilization, and sexual slavery. These are incredibly high stakes for any characters to endure.
I can't wait to read the sequel to revisit these strong young women and their allies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Trafficking, and Vomit
More...