Scan barcode
davidbythebay'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
3.5
Don't get me wrong, I still have some issues with the story. First of all, it was sometimes disjointed almost in that things just happened and felt like there was no thought behind it by the characters. For example - and this is in the description and not a spoiler - when Edie (our main character) becomes unemployed and invited to live with this family given everything that is knowingly going on here by the parties. It just reads as odd. I get setting aside differences and emotions in an emergency situation, but taking someone in whom you think so little of and then seem to be friends with, back and forth on this endless spectrum of what's going on here.
The writing was absolutely lovely, on the whole. Some things were a little over written (poetic to the point of overdoing it) but mostly it was a pleasant read. One issue I had was, and this is something small, the hipster-vibe of acknowledging and naming the patriarchy/capitalism/what-have-you in the middle of a rant. I just don't like a conversation - and I have actually been privy to these happening in real life and even then they feel staged - where something happens and it is named by the grander concept that it embodies. I know this is a patriarchal matter you are discussing and having opinions on. I don't need to be bluntly slapped by that wet fish.
All of that aside, I enjoyed the writing and liked the story. It touched on several important topics and ideas, but sometimes it dealt with them very briefly and it came across as being dismissive. (I'm talking about the key scene in particular. If you know, you know.) As it stands, it was an enjoyable bit of reading but nothing I really connected with. I may just be done with the whole millennial/Gen Z sarcastic "wokeness" even though I am technically called a millennial/Gen Z. It's something that tends to be blunt and generalized without nuance or tact. Luster did not paint with such a wide indiscriminate brush, but it definitely created some bright strokes.
Better than an average book, but just not my taste. 3.5 Stars
Graphic: Drug use, Infidelity, Blood, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual content, Abortion, and Alcohol
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Animal death, Grief, Stalking, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, and Death
Minor: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
sofiatriestoread'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
4.0
Graphic: Abortion, Death, and Drug use
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Infidelity
harrirebekah'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? Yes
2.5
I’m not gonna lie I was completely lost after the 110 page mark, I felt like I slipped a chapter. I also really didn’t vibe with the Eric of Rebecca at all, I felt conflicted about Edie and just miserable for Akila.
Idk I thought there were some interesting themes around being a twenty-something who is lost post-graduation, dealing with a lot of built up trauma and an honest and witty take on sex and relationships. But, I just didn’t love it.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Medical content, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Vomit, Abortion, Death of parent, Drug use, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
raynaaskiverr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Classism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infertility, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
chloebethx_'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
4.75
Graphic: Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Excrement, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Violence
blackloreuk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I didn’t really like the fact that Eric was white but raven may have done that to present the racial and gender power dynamics.
Raven gives a backstory to every aspect and helps us understand Edie thought process in everything she does. She doesn’t justify or try and make her character a victim she simply talks about it. Helps the reader really understand what is happening in the book!
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Drug abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Miscarriage, and Medical trauma
sib_reads'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? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Medical content, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Abandonment, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Eating disorder, Pedophilia, Rape, Infertility, Addiction, Grief, Cancer, Car accident, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, and Physical abuse
nialiversuch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Abortion, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Classism, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
meowkira'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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Miscarriage, Medical content, Drug use, Death of parent, and Death
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
As for drawbacks to this book, I think that more could have happened in the second half and I'm surprised that it didn't. There was a stretch of pages where it seemed like not much of anything was happening, and though I was never *bored* exactly, I was waiting for the pace to pick up.
Overall, this was a really great, quick read, and if you've been thinking about picking it up, here's your sign!
Graphic: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infertility, Murder, Vomit, and War
Minor: Religious bigotry