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rey_therese07's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Pedophilia, Rape, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Religious bigotry
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
besha's review
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Antisemitism, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Death of parent, and Murder
xoodlebooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Genocide, Stalking, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Police brutality, and Medical content
tiredcath's review
- 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
5.0
The City Beautiful is set in 1893 Chicago, this is unlike any story I've ever encountered. It's gripping, intense, dark, and almost horrifying at times but still warm and loving. Aden Polydoros crafts a story that is not only scary but beautiful. I fell deeply in love with this book by the first couple of pages. The world is atmospheric and deep with culture, the fantasy aspects feel rich.
I was completely invested in the mystery and murders. Where I feel some mystery's drag, The City Beautiful never feels tiring. It's gripping and fast, you're never without action or character development. Every page is needed, every scene is important in either information, culture, or growth- sometimes a mixture of all three. I really like how much you're able to learn about Jewish culture and traditions, as well as the hardships they've had to face. There's a lot of anti-Semitism. A lot. It's tough to read but necessary.
The first layer of this story is a mystery. The second layer is love. There's a good balance between the two. You never feel the novel switch genres to incorporate either one but they're woven together to create a great story and great characters.
Alter is an incredible lead, perfect shoes for the reader to slide into. You easily sympathize with his story and truly root for him. You understand his struggles. And Frankie, truly a lovely and complex character. The chemistry between them is undeniable and believable. Both characters have faults, but none of them are out of place. Their actions and decisions are grounded by their past experiences. When you can completely understand a character's actions without being in their head- that makes for good writing.
I loved this book completely. Aden Polydoros wrote a story that will stand the test of time. Everyone should ready The City Beautiful. I want to read it again for crying out loud. It's beautiful and heartbreaking with bits that make you want to cry and bits that make you want to scream. The writing is rich with imaginary and alive. Go, go, go read this!
Thank you to Netgally, Inkyard Press for allowing me this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Graphic: Racism and Antisemitism
Moderate: Rape and Violence
perpetualpages's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Blood, and Antisemitism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Murder
alwaysshure's review
- 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
Graphic: Violence and Antisemitism
Moderate: Death 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