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briely'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
3.5
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest, Racism, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
wildflower_magic'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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Homophobia, Racism, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicide, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, and Deportation
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, and Suicide attempt
yomireads'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? Yes
4.75
Opal makes for an interesting FMC with her rugged past of petty theft and other (low stakes) crime after she and her brother find themselves orphaned. I really appreciated the depiction of her struggling to find a healthy boundary between sister and guardian while raising her brother, and the internal fight to be a better person than she believes herself to be. That said, maybe do less crime if you're so determined to do better for him.
The MMC, Arthur is wonderfully intriguing to me, because I literally could not tell you the last time I read a book with characters that weren't described as "handsome," "chisled," "gods gift to masculinity," and to have him be actively described by the side characters as flat out ugly was such a subversion of the stereotypes I loved him almost immediately. He's emotionally complex with a fun little cliche of the tortured lonely soul in the ancient old mansion. Ate it up.
The self awareness of our main characters was delicious. The sense of atmosphere well established and immersive. And the story progression felt quick and succinct, while somehow not tripping over itself to throw information at you. It was the footnotes and side bars in the story that tipped this into the dark academia genre for me as it explored the town history. No it doesn't take place at a school, but there are research and intellectual plotlines that added thay particular flavor for me. (Though others might disagree, which I'm fine with)
This is my first Alix E. Harrow book, but I'm certain it won't be my last.
Thanks Netgalley for opening my world to something I may have otherwise put off or passed by for another book on a shelf.
Graphic: Car accident and Death of parent
Moderate: Slavery and Vomit
Minor: Incest and Lesbophobia
fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I cannot adequately put into words how much I loved this book. It's filled with complicated and detailed characters whose actions sometimes really make it hard to root for them, but you can't help loving (many) of them anyway.
It would be so easy to lean too far into the cheesy aspects of a House that's somehow alive and monsters made of mist, but Harrow's talent instead creates an intricate world that's the perfect amount of gothic with a sprinkling of light horror and fantasy. I find myself thinking about it in the days since I finished. I want to get lost in the House and fall asleep on the lawn listening to the starlings sing.
I also listened to the audio version and Natalie Naudus really does an amazing job. Her pacing and acting is so perfect that you really feel as if you're in Eden. I wouls listen to anything she narrates!
Fyi: the cat does not die.
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Incest, Vomit, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Slavery and Toxic relationship