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paolina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I had trouble with the pacing of this one, and kept waiting for a twist that never really came. Overall inventive, however, with a interesting setting and characters.
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Animal death, and Drug use
szuum'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
4.25
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal death and Death
Minor: Suicide and Sexual content
rtaire's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, Murder, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Addiction, Body horror, and Child death
Moderate: Classism and Death
quasinaut's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.5
Overall, I feel like this story had its moments but could have benefited from more editing to tighten up the story and flesh out the characters. Sometimes the characters' actions felt too ill-conceived and/or conveniently timed to advance the plot. The accents and slang helped establish the world but at times veered into being heavy-handed and confusing. The intrigue wrapped up surprisingly quickly -- I kept expecting something to go wrong, or an earlier character to reappear, or someone to actually be working for the other side.
I look forward to seeing what C. M. Waggoner writes next. Even if this one had a few moments that missed the mark, I quite enjoyed getting more adventures in this world!
Graphic: Drug abuse, Classism, Drug use, Death, Alcohol, Animal death, and Body horror
Moderate: Sexual content and Abandonment
Minor: Suicide
dealingwithdragons'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
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Medical content, Murder, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Cursing, and Death
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Bullying, and Classism
Minor: Infertility
eamily's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Toxic friendship, Blood, Classism, Death, Drug use, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Torture, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Vomit, Infidelity, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Cursing, and Forced institutionalization
asphodelashes'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
3.5
Graphic: Drug use and Addiction
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual content and Suicide
unintentionallyasymmetric's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
- When I started reading, I was immediately struck by the excellent use of voice both in the narration and dialogue. C.M. Waggoner certainly reminds me of P.G. Wodehouse in the ability to conjure up a strong, distinctive voice for Delly.
- The story is completely centered on the stories and experiences of women - not just a female protagonist, but all of the significant characters are women.
- The pacing is a little odd, and almost is like "video game time," where characters will establish a clear, time-sensitive goal (find and bring the murderer to justice) and then spend multiple days training and preparing. From the initial premise described in the blurb, the story goes in unexpected directions.
- This is one of the only pieces of media I've encountered where any characters are concerned about the long-term impacts of head trauma.
- I felt like Waggoner successfully avoided using any cheap, predictable methods to create drama. I kept expecting certain obvious arguments between Delly and Winn as the tension between Delly's goals and guilt grew, but my expectations were subverted. The relationships between characters, particularly Delly and Ms. Dok, were complex and dynamic.
- I would die for Mrs. Totham, and Buttons made me laugh out loud more times than I can count.
- Birds are a big recurring motif. Dan suggested maybe they symbolize freedom?
- I would fancast Michelle Dockery as Abstentia
Moderate: Addiction, Murder, Death, and Drug abuse
amalyndb's review against another edition
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Animal death, and Death
girasol's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death
Minor: Suicide