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below_average_baker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death, Alcohol, Suicide, Sexual violence, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Fatphobia
archiveofrasa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
the writing was really nice, someone described it as an elegant tragedy which I fully agree on. I don't think it was necessarily purple prose because everything had a reason to be in the story, even if I personally couldn't understand them. the way the narrator, Olivia, spoke about things and weaves her own beliefs and discoveries into their own little vignette said a lot about her as a character. however, I feel like there was a barrier preventing me from truly connecting with her, but considering the way she was written, I feel like that was maybe intentional.
her relationship with Serena really drew me in. once she was properly introduced was when I started properly reading, even though I will say that I didn't like her much (she sure was interesting. Temple tells and follows it up with a lot of shows which I really appreciate). Janet and Laurel were also really interesting and I wish we got to know a little more about them, but again I think the distance was the point.
I don't know how to feel about the vignettes about her parents; I loved them and how they were fed into the narrative but I also didn't enjoy them. they made me feel quite heavy, but considering her parents are literally divorced and arguably abusive, yeah. a lot of people also said this sort of queerbaited a bit and I do see the bisexual undertones of Olivia (hey hi I'm bi) but to me, it came off as that uncertainty girls have in relation to other girls when they're fully acknowledging the possibility of being attracted to them (while not necessarily sure that they are) if that makes any fucking sense lmao
I did in fact change the rating, I like this more now that I've sat on it. still will reread this when I'm older.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicide
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Panic attacks/disorders
a bit of fatphobia unsanitary acts2kerrymehome's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
The detachment from reality didn't immerse me in the world of this story, it removed me from it. The characters all talk in parables and have insane motivations that the people around them acquiesce to. Its not just that theres no world I can imagine where enough starvation would encourage you to
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Physical abuse
mxpringle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Child abuse, Grief, Body shaming, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Suicide attempt
shel_conn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, and Death
Minor: Physical abuse, Alcohol, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Toxic friendship
stevie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Violence
charla_t's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Child abuse
mostlymusings's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction and Panic attacks/disorders