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kelsea_mori'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? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Blood and Fire/Fire injury
ladyflash's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, and Suicidal thoughts
ghostingarden's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Incest, Death of parent, Classism, Slavery, Cursing, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
acethirtynine'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Vomit
Minor: Slavery, Child death, Murder, Incest, and Racism
bethfern04'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
4.0
Opal is a great main character who isn't obviously a good or bad person. She suffers from some serious unresolved trauma and has become skilled at pushing everyone away. She's jaded, cynical and a thief. She's far from perfect, but watching her grow as a character was one of the best parts of the book. Her realization that she had so many people who truly loved and cared about her all along was incredibly touching.
I think the side characters were well flushed out and felt like whole people, especially Jasper her brother, her landlord, and her librarian friend.
I loved Arthur and Opal together. It was so fascinating watching these two people who had both worked so hard to stay isolated and emotionally distant, get under each other's skin!
The fantasy plot of the story was pretty strong as well. I especially liked the reveal of Eleanor Starlings true life story at the end. The themes of justice versus revenge, and the ripple effect of one family's cruelty over several generations were very well done.
4.0 ⭐ is my final rating.
As always, reviews are subjective, and love what you love. XOXO 😘
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Car accident
Minor: Chronic illness, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
katielouisef's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, and Child abuse
micaelamariem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The descriptions were vivid and beautiful in a haunting kind of way. The characters were uniquely flawed to the point where you couldn’t help but empathize with their pain. The sins in the book were atrocious, and the themes of identity, belonging, and mercy crawled across the pages, igniting the words into some higher morals. And of course, who doesn’t love a sentient house?
I also thought it was super unique to include footnotes and a fictional bibliography! What a way to add voice.
The only reason it’s not five stars is because there are parts of the ending I wasn’t thoroughly satisfied with.
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Racism, Slavery, Grief, Sexual content, Car accident, Child death, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Cursing, Death of parent, Addiction, Death, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
machenn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Cursing, and Death of parent
jerseynoonatic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Deportation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Slavery, Vomit, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Police brutality, Violence, Cursing, Drug use, and Death of parent
judassilver'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
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Slavery, Violence, Car accident, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death, Vomit, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Incest and Child death