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hnagarne'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
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Gore, Abortion, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Violence, Death, Suicide, Police brutality, Hate crime, and Torture
lambchop12'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
4.5
Made me the most emotional: “The Lion and the Spider” - I have a rough, weird relationship with my emotionally distant father who has left my family on multiple occasions so this story almost broke me, but also left me hopeful for a better future.
Left me in the most awe: “The Hospital Where” - I love me some good surrealism, okay? And this was just straight up “what’s going on” madness in a good way.
Had me thinking “oh jesus” the most times: “Through the Flash” - very very dark. Worth reading, but it was a smart move to put it at the end because by the time you finish it, you’ll feel a certain amount of emotional exhaustion from just thinking about the trauma the Flash and the following events have had on people. Also another one where the father/child relationship made me emotional.
Made me the maddest at society: “The Finkelstein 5” and “Zimmer Land” - I won’t spoil these, just know that they deal with racism and the unfair deaths of Black people (especially children). Heavy subject matter but meaningful.
Had me the most confused: “Lark Street” - this was the one story I disliked because I couldn’t tell if it was pro-choice or pro-forced birth lol. Interesting premise though.
The rest of the stories are interesting, I just don’t have much to say about them. Very good collection. 9/10.
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Abortion, Child death, Mass/school shootings, and Hate crime
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
dchaseb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Having several stories share the same or similar location gave me the feeling that I was entering an alternate dimension of a world I had just visited (akin to different story arcs of comics perhaps). In terms of the writing, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah has an ability to pull you in and never let go. Each new story had a sensation of being kidnapped where you hope you are never rescued. There were only a few stories that were not my favorites but the majority of them had me longing for full blown book series that take place.
"Finklestein 5" is the first story and if no one reads this entire book, everyone should at least read that one. It makes you sad, angry, ashamed, hopeful, and so much more. A relevant and riveting story focusing on race relations and the justice system. "Zimmer Land" hits on these topics as well. "Light Spitter" looks at school shootings and bullying/harassment. "Through the Flash" is a crazy Groundhog's Day type story where every day ends with an atomic bomb being dropped in a dystopian future.
A few stories gave me the vibe that I dislike with some short story collections where they feel like they are trying super hard to be incredibly allegorical or metaphorical to a point where I don't care as much. Even with that, the stories are definitely unforgettable and resonate. (I kept so little from my short descriptions because I think everyone should go in blindly like I did.
Great way to start my year of books.
Graphic: Abortion, Violence, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Bullying and Addiction
jessthanthree'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Abortion, Police brutality, Death, Violence, Racism, Ableism, Suicide, Hate crime, Murder, Grief, and Child death
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Medical content
Minor: Racial slurs
nerdyprettythings's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Cannibalism, Mass/school shootings, Abortion, Murder, Racism, Violence, Gun violence, and Drug abuse
sarah984's review against another edition
3.5
Favourites: Through the Flash, Zimmer Land, Friday Black, The Finkelstein Five
Graphic: Death, Racism, Torture, Violence, Child death, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Self harm, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Ableism, Abortion, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, and Suicide
Minor: Classism, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cannibalism, and Child abuse
glf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Sexual violence
bay22's review against another edition
Graphic: Abortion, Blood, Death, Hate crime, Medical content, Torture, Violence, Cannibalism, Police brutality, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Racism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Ableism, and Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Bullying, Animal death, Classism, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Addiction, and Child abuse
Minor: Eating disorder and Fatphobia
arieloley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Abortion, Racism, Violence, Murder, and Gun violence
savvylit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Murder, Gun violence, Death, Abortion, Violence, and Hate crime