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07x20's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Self harm, Animal cruelty, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Animal death, and Toxic relationship
kijatai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really liked the narrator, Sophie Amoss. I felt like I was in the head of the main character when she was narrating and I could easily picture all the different characters by the voices she used. Her voice is also soothing.
As for the story itself, I loved it. What I actually enjoyed about it was the psychology of the main character and the depiction of creative block and the depression that can be linked to it. I’m an artist and I could relate to some things she said. How we can feel like an impostor sometimes and feel blocked or not good enough and then craving a connection to others to get out of our self-made isolation but also not wanting to.
I liked how all Sam’s emotions : fear, uncertainty, desires… were represented. Without spoiling anything, I interpreted the rituals depicted (please check content warnings) in the book more as a representation of creativity and desire. And I thought it was really interesting.
It has strong dark academia vibes. Which I’m a sucker for. I like also exploring the mentality and struggles behind cults and this book definitely and intimately explores that. It has mean girl vibes and it was nice to see how the author explores the meaning of sisterhood, girlhood, love and desires.
The relationship between Ava and Sam was what kept me hooked. I hoped for more to be honest but I won’t spoil too much. I guess that their relationship is… complex.
I’m definitely gonna get a physical copy, re-read it and annotate the hell out of it.
Graphic: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Body horror, Gore, Mental illness, Cursing, Animal cruelty, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Alcohol, Classism, Confinement, Death, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident, Bullying, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
danicoretrashhh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
edit: i slept on it and i think the deeper connection i felt to samantha's "new" identity or perspective is what bumped this book up to three stars. i didn't understand a lot of what was going on, but suddenly a switch flipped. and i don't know if i should credit the book with that or my own life but i understood the new samantha. i could identify with how she felt. she couldn't see out of her own eyes and what she *did* see wasn't right, but it wasn't her fault. she wanted to belong and for a little bit, she did. i do realize that this isn't a book for everyone; there's a lot of gore and the way it is written will give you a headache. it gave *me* a headache. but i liked it. it felt like seeing me in a different perspective and whether thats a good thing or not, i'm not sure. but i definitely do appreciate this book. the biggest triggers with this book are definitely the amount of gore and altered mental states, so just be aware of that before you start.
Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, and Drug use
renegadereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Blood
Moderate: Body horror, Mental illness, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Toxic friendship
mooniguess'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Mental illness
dorin_d's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Drug use and Self harm
Minor: Death of parent and Mental illness
courtneyfalling's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
That said I can't tell how I feel about
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Mental illness
shacara_shacara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Self harm, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Blood, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual content
abbie_05's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Violence, Death of parent, Death, Drug use, and Animal death
Moderate: Self harm
mushroom_frog's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
My understanding of the book is as such:
I don't usually write such long reviews but this book had me utterly captivated. Not for those who get want everything to be set out clearly from start to finish, and dislike loose ends.
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Drug use, Gore, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Sexual content, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, and Grief