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phoebejeziel's review against another edition
- 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
The City Beautiful is a haunting, ghostly, gothic tale that truly explores so many themes in a multifaceted way. It explores queerness in the 1800s, the lives of those immigrating over to America during this time period, anti-semitism, politics, abuse, injustice, and ultimately: what it means to fight for your right to be human.
Our main character, Alter is a wonderful character who is truly just trying his best!!!! Haunted by his past and the murder of a dear friend, Alter is thrown into a situation and task of making things right. Alter is also drawn back so another person from his past. All while many jewish boys are being murdered left and right!
This story is tense, scary, and again- absolutely haunting. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I am not familiar with Jewish culture or customs, but I deeply appreciated the language, mythology, and overall rich storytelling and culture immersion that this book had. I found it incredibly fascinating and I learned so much!!
This for sure has become one of my top books of the year, it was absolutely fantastic. If you like ghostly gothic tales, murder mysteries and are looking to read something unique and also diverse- this is definitely the pick for you!!! For anyone really. You should ALL ready this book!!
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
ashleycmms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
lisafrancine's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
ofbooksandechos'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Hate crime, Violence, Antisemitism, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Pedophilia and Rape
melaniereadsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
When Alter's roommate ends up dead during the World's Fair in 1893 Chicago, Alter knows that it wasn't the accident the police are claiming it was. A string of deaths and disappearances of young Jewish boys are cropping up over the city. To make matters worse, ever since his friend's death, Alter has been experiencing hallucinations and black outs that leave all-too-real marks on his body. He is determined to find out what really happened and put his friend's spirit to rest.
Wow, this book was mysterious and tense throughout! It took me a little ways to get into it, but once I did I was completely addicted! Alter is such a sympathetic character and I loved following his point of view as he discovered what was really going on in the City. I also....I am in love with Frankie. I'm sorry, but he is perfect. He is like.... a slightly-less-traumatized Kaz Brekker but also gay. Yup. I'm in love.
The prose in this book was beautiful and I truly loved it!
Pub Date: Oct 5
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Genocide, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Death of parent
kayladaila's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Pedophilia, and Rape
Minor: Physical abuse