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blackcvrrant'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
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Classism, Medical trauma, and Drug use
bucklace27'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
3.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Classism, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Excrement, Death, Violence, Self harm, Rape, and Blood
laurenkimoto's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Gaslighting, Medical content, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Death, Animal cruelty, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Blood, Murder, Medical trauma, Violence, Alcohol, Drug use, Body horror, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship
madscientistcat's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Vomit, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship
burdasnest's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
It’s amazing commentary about privilege that remains consistent in its own universe, which is eerily similar to our own.
If that’s not what you’re looking for, then stay for the dark academia vibes. You won’t be disappointed.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Blood, Classism, Drug abuse, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Death, Murder, and Rape
aliyachaudhry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Child abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Body horror, Cursing, Drug use, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Antisemitism, Gaslighting, Stalking, and Xenophobia
Minor: Cancer and Racism
lisa_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was not at all what I expected. I wanted to go in knowing as little as possible. I knew that this book is adult but I didn't expect it to as graphic as it was. I really liked the premise and the characters and also the mystery of it all. Just because of her writing I automatically like the book.
I do have a few issues with it though:
1. Alex's motives didn't always make sense to me. Why was she so adamant on solving Taras murder? She didn't know her, everyone told her that it was the boyfriend, even after she broke into the morgue it was clear it was the boyfriend. I just didn't understand why she would go further and further. At a certain point it was clear that there is more behind it than we thought but I do not understand why and how Alex knew that?
2. Also I felt like all side characters were just there for convenience. Especially Alex's roommates. They are so unconditionally loyal to her for seemingly no reason? I mean that is not how it usually is at uni right? Like it would make sense for them to ask her why she's never at home but not to a degree where she constantly has to come up with fake reasons & apologies, right? I wanted a bit more interaction and reason there so it actually makes sense for them to call her mum. (The thing with Brady 100% made sense though. He's a shit and deserves only the worst)
3. That might be on me, but I didn't understand the worldbuilding fully. I think it was on purpose that the big questions like 'why is there magic?' and 'where does it come from?' are unanswered. But I didn't understand the limits of the magic. It's clear that it best works in the tombs and not really anywhere else, but also things like the coin of compulsion work everywhere? And spells can be cast that influence the wider world as well? Idk I'm just a bit confused about that. Also I want to know how noone actually found out outside of the societies. How do they keep the secret?
I think I had way more questions but these are the most important ones. I am definitely going to read 'Hellbent' but if I'm being honest I'm in no hurry. Maybe I'll even wait until all (5?) books are out. The story was intruiging but it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. (Even though I love mystery, magic, university settings, academia and secret societies in books.. ?)
What I loved about the book was all the intruige and mystery. The connections weren't always completely clear to me but that didn't take away from it being fun. I wish we got to see a bit more magic and a bit less trauma but that is only my opinion. I bet for some people this was perfect.
Generally I would anyone to please read the trigger warnings for this book. There are a lot and they are really graphic as well.
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Violence, Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Excrement, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Cursing, Death, Sexism, Vomit, and Xenophobia
beccam22'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
5.0
🔍🔪 Murder Mysteries
🎓🕯 Dark Academia
🪄✨ Urban Magic
Please look at content warnings if you need to.
I have my issues with this but I think what was well done over shadows them <spoiler/>
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Death, Medical trauma, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, and Drug use
b_lownds127'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
5.0
It also needs trigger warnings for absolutely everything. Seriously, I don't even know how to classify some of the things that happened in here.
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Death, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Antisemitism
puffywiz'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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Excrement, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Addiction, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Pedophilia, Body horror, Drug abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Vomit