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mar's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
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
4.5
literally i love this strange little book. the lovely, often gut-wrenching prose, the hard-hitting themes of identity and trauma and bodily autonomy, the uniquely bizarre worldbuilding that combines post-apocalyptic cyberpunk and urban fantasy, and the incredibly lovable intersex&nonbinary (at least that's how i think i'd describe Sparrow in modern terminology) protagonist make for SUCH a captivating read.
it's definitely imperfect - for one thing, it does conflate sex&gender, as older books by cis people tend to (though it still gave me plenty Big Trans Feelings); it should be noted this is a novel by a white author that heavily features hoodoo mysticism, and i don't know enough about it to tell if it's represented accurately/respectfully; and from a more technical standpoint, it's got some seriously rough pacing and a deux-ex-machina problem.
honestly, though, the flaws are completely overshadowed by just how enamoured i was with the prose and the main character in particular. i am wrapping Sparrow in a blanket and making them tea ❤️
it's definitely imperfect - for one thing, it does conflate sex&gender, as older books by cis people tend to (though it still gave me plenty Big Trans Feelings); it should be noted this is a novel by a white author that heavily features hoodoo mysticism, and i don't know enough about it to tell if it's represented accurately/respectfully; and from a more technical standpoint, it's got some seriously rough pacing and a deux-ex-machina problem.
honestly, though, the flaws are completely overshadowed by just how enamoured i was with the prose and the main character in particular. i am wrapping Sparrow in a blanket and making them tea ❤️
Graphic: Sexual assault and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Blood, Gun violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Alcoholism and Homophobia
untraveledworld's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Torture
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