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analog_librarian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Gore, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
alyxisreading's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
I decided to pick this up on a whim since it's spooky season, and I also adore sapphic novels. I genuinely really loved the book and how the author portrayed Finch. It was also an easy read and the characters were enjoyable (except Kyra because c'mon girl). The author doesn't go far into depth in terms of learning more about the characters, which I'm okay with but I probably would have rated this book higher if we got more info. The other reason I didn't rate it 4 stars was that the characters took forever to connect what the antagonist's actual intentions were, and I think that the author could have spent more of that time adding backstory and info about the antagonist/characters (especially the librarian who I honestly think has so much potential) or even clearing up some plot holes (What happened to Victor? Why did the antagonist need to restart herp process when the previous group did most of the work?)
Even with that in mind, I genuinely thought the book had so much promise and while some things lacked, it was still a great and easy read during the spooky season!
Even with that in mind, I genuinely thought the book had so much promise and while some things lacked, it was still a great and easy read during the spooky season!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Outing, Gore, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Biphobia, Car accident, and Alcohol
mahitdzmare's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Outing, Gore, and Body horror
Minor: Alcohol, Biphobia, and Homophobia
morethanmylupus's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Car accident, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide
aesnthcs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
also cw drowning!!applejacksbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book start to finish. I love the dark academia, thriller-y vibes of the story, but I wish there was a little more suspense built into it. Finch and Selena are adorable together, and I am happy with the ending overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, Death, and Car accident
Moderate: Outing
thetinytrashcan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.25
For a debut novel this book is executed extremely well. I loved all the characters in the book and appropriated that all the ensemble characters had important roles to play in the plot. Though most of the characters could have been explored more I never felt that any of them were bland or unnecessary which made me fall in love with this book. I loved the premise presented in the summary and found that the book did a pretty good job executing the lore of the story and presented background information in interesting ways that kept me engaged the whole time. The only reason this is book lost points in my book is because it wasn’t as much of a dark story as the summary presented and I don’t feel that it completely reached the mood it was trying to create.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Grief
Moderate: Homophobia, Outing, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicide and Toxic relationship
meleac07's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
This book was absolutely BRILLIANT!! I fell into this reality with the characters and found myself connected and drawn to each character for all of their quirks and complexities. Each character was unique and so well thought out. I can not put into words the joy I felt from reading this. Coming from a queer person, the representation in this book is such a breath of fresh air. This book put me through a rollercoaster of emotions. From the cheesiest of lines to the most grotesque scenes, I found myself utterly swept away by the beauty and tangibility of Kayla Cottingham’s writing. So excited to read whatever she puts out next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Car accident, Death of parent, Gore, and Gun violence
Moderate: Murder, Outing, Torture, Grief, Physical abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Homophobia, and Biphobia
diadoodle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Blood, Body horror, Death, and Death of parent
btorsi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
first solid 5 star review of 2022. this book was marketed as wilder girls meets it and it delivered in the best way. at first i thought the writing and pacing was a little juvenile but by the end i wanted it to be 800 pages because i couldn't accept it was over. incredible opening lines. i loved it so much i can't formulate actual thoughts other than "HOLY SHIT". sapphic horror is my new jam.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror and Outing
Minor: Toxic friendship and Animal death