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kajoreads'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Terminal illness, Body horror, Grief, Suicide, and Dementia
Moderate: Vomit, Blood, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Lesbophobia, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Animal death
shaun_dh'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? No
3.0
I shed a few tears, but idk if I’d say it’s particularly memorable. I do appreciate that it’s a love story with lesbians that’s not centered around them being lesbians. WLW—we’re just like you, lol
One thing I absolutely hated (that ultimately lead me to my 3⭐️ review) is that the book is clearly written by a Brit (they use British words like petrol station and flat) but the spellings of words are U.S. English (neighbors instead of neighbours). Maybe that’s just something that would bother a weirdo like me, but pick a style! I like reading British versions of books, but I feel like the editor should have changed the words for the U.S. printing or just use British spelling
Graphic: Confinement and Body horror
Moderate: Dementia, Grief, Suicide, Death, and Death of parent
gia0203's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have always found space more terrifying than the ocean. I think of the sea more curiously than fearfully, and sometimes wonder what’s beneath the surface. I went through a phase too of being obsessed with octopi (J still love them). So I actually found the story more beautiful than horrifying. Leah’s feelings about the ocean, and how she reflected on how it had shaped not just her life but everyone else’s, was wonderful to read. The ocean was always a source of comfort for her, but she also depended on it. It was an obsession, and I liked how this was a source of tension in Leah and Miri’s relationship.
I liked too how the book was a metaphor for grief. The death of the protagonist’s parents was intertwined with Leah’s narrative beautifully. The way Leah’s body changed was a reflection of slowly losing someone, and it was really well done. The ending definitely paid off because of this.
The pace moved slowly and gently like the ebb and flow of the waves. The text was littered with small details about Leah and Miri’s life and it made the reading experience really emotional. It’s hard to pull off a pace this slow without being dull, but for me this book was never boring, and instead I anticipated what was going to happen next while also enjoying being in the characters’ heads and learning about their lives. Leah was definitely a more concrete and likeable character than Miri, but by the end I loved both of them and thought their relationship was beautifully written.
I think the slow pace of the novel made me feel like I was losing my mind too. It’s easy to get lost in this book. It made me feel dreamy and not quite here. Sunken thoughts, as Miri would say.
On a final note,
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide and Death
Minor: Death of parent
mangofraiche's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, Blood, Grief, and Suicide
aristarcodisamo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide, Vomit, Sexual content, Cursing, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Terminal illness
jcshells'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
4.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Suicide, Abandonment, Death of parent, Grief, Body horror, Death, Mental illness, and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol and Homophobia
aselin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Mental illness, Medical content, and Physical abuse
exhaustrovert's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Medical content, Suicide, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Terminal illness, Dysphoria, Body horror, Grief, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
babayaga_babayaga's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Dementia, and Body horror
Moderate: Suicide, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Blood, and Vomit
Minor: Physical abuse
koyotekarlheinz's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Grief, Chronic illness, Body horror, Suicide, Abandonment, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Death, Dementia, and Death of parent