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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“Mysterious Skin” was a dark and disturbing read, not only because of the graphic subject matter conveyed within the text, but also because of the character’s reactions to the events going on around them. Scott Heim masterfully builds up the plot, particularly when it comes to Brady’s obsession with aliens and Neil’s realization of the full extent of the damage that has been done to him in his youth. Furthermore, the subtlety through which he hints at certain side plots and other events (for example, Avalyn and her scar) adds an extra layer to the text. While some may find the ending to be abrupt, I think it was pretty reminiscent of real life and there’s something to be said that while life goes on around them, Brady and Neil will forever have to reconcile with the shared trauma that happened to them as children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
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
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nice, easy read. Sometimes the different voices sounded eerily the same, or at least to me. Good story, though.
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
This is terribly graphic at times, and on a disturbing topic, but it's so beautifully written - even the horrific images (such as the sexual abuse) are phrased in such a way that you can't look away, but you're aware of the wrong of it at the same time, without any sledgehammer moments of "THIS IS WRONG". The ending is just...gah. I want to write like that, bleak but beautiful.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence
dark
rest in peace Michelle Trachtenberg