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caseyadamsstark'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
But hey, I did like this book. It's confusing as heck because of the trippy things that happen--the main character Smackie, an English grad student with a huge inferiority complex, is also a highly unreliable narrator. But her imagination kicks in big time as she bleeds out her tale of woe while trying to fit in with the rich girls on campus, who reach out to include her after several semesters of treating her like an other.
And she is an other--the horror elements are a fantastic and bizarre flip to a Stepford Wives ideal, but the love story, the real love story that makes Samantha the "other", is the reason to keep reading. You could argue that there are similarities to plenty of stories out there, such as Mean Girls or Heathers (movies are stories too), or the obvious nods to Alice in her Wonderland. But the telling of this bunny horror fairytale is weird and unique and original in a good way, too.
Check it out horror fans.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Animal death, Bullying, Classism, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
imogenlj'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
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Death, Gore, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Minor: Self harm, Car accident, Drug use, Rape, Death of parent, and Mental illness
sleepykatz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Body horror, Cursing, Gore, Murder, Toxic friendship, Blood, and Animal death
Minor: Rape and Self harm
jo_lzr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Firstly, there were some quotes and scenes in this book that I really did enjoy, whether they were poetic or completely insane.
Honestly, I could just describe this book as creepy, crazy and sad (and a bit horny).
Also, I enjoyed the author's sarcasm for the pretentiousness of some people in the art world. I think that it was done in a very smart way.
On the other hand, there were some parts in the story where I couldn't understand what was happening, but I understand that this is the author's purpose.
Overall, this was an interesting read hence why I am giving it 3 stars.
Graphic: Drug use, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Confinement, Death, Murder, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Classism, Cursing, and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape
bekiethebanished'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
3.75
Graphic: Classism, Body horror, Death, Animal death, Bullying, Death of parent, Cursing, Murder, Kidnapping, Blood, Gore, Animal cruelty, Toxic friendship, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Physical abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, and Self harm
Minor: Dysphoria, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
jneverland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Body shaming, Animal death, Blood, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, and Physical abuse
lucinotlucy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gore, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Self harm
alexandrabelze'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
4.25
Graphic: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Blood, Drug abuse, Gore, Alcohol, Bullying, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Self harm, Torture, Cursing, and Violence
Moderate: Classism, Stalking, Vomit, Addiction, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
justmys'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? Yes
2.75
I had to keep reminding myself that it was set in a university and not a high school campus, that the characters were grown adults and not wildly troubled teenagers. Everything just felt a little off, which was mayve intentional but left me unable to click with the story or writing.
But, I'm also conflicted as I listened to the audio book version and found myself having to play it at double speed so as not to fall asleep from boredom with the way it was read. So, I'm unsure if I may have enjoyed the book more had I read a physical copy.
Either way, an interesting book and premise, scary and challenging but not for me.
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Classism, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Bullying, Confinement, and Cursing
suchsweetsorrow89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Now, for those who have read the book and want my opinion (aka spoilers), here's what I made of it:
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Gore, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Alcohol, Drug use, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Torture, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual assault