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geenawrites's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you're looking for something to read this Halloween, I'd definitely recommend giving this a try.
Graphic: Eating disorder, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Ableism and Homophobia
Minor: Animal death
owenwilsonbaby's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was camp and fun! I loved it. Scary enough to be a quick, compelling read but not so disturbing that it interfered with my love for the characters. Hendrix's depiction of teenage isolation and anxiety was at times painful to read but delicately amplified the wider horror plot and tropes at work. The real demon is high school!!
Not going to articulate this very well but I think this book's willingness to tackle both the joy and terror of growing up in the eighties is its primary strength. There's a romance and excitement to the setting and time period but it avoids indulging a simplified, homogenised version of the American past that Myke Bartlett identifies in media like Stranger Things. Its exploration of class, racism, ableism and rape culture works to create an uneasiness at the heart of this horror story. Abby has to face down the devil whilst also battling prejudice and a lack of understanding from her peers and the adults in her life.
I don't have many criticisms, and those that I do have I think I can put down to the fact that this book is first and foremost oriented towards young adult readers and therefore written with a different demographic in mind. I did at times wonder if the story may have benefited from the complexity of exploring queerness (hence Abby's penultimate 'dearly and queerly!' confession) but I can appreciate the centring of platonic love and female friendship when recent nostalgic outings like Stranger Things and the IT movies seemed to, at least initially, explore male friendship. All that said, I really enjoyed this book. It made for a good break from long reads, and the pacing, prose and imagery were particularly fantastic.
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
mallory10100's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Gun violence
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Infertility, Racism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, and Classism
i recommend this for spooky season!!odrib's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror and Vomit
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Racism, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Sexism
cheyennamarshall's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Eating disorder, Violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism
gaytoki's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Gaslighting
rachelalicex's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Eating disorder, and Vomit
Moderate: Ableism and Rape
hali's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
“I love you,” Abby shouted into the storm. “I love you Gretchen Lang. You are my reflection and my shadow and I will not let you go. We are bound together forever and ever!”
It’s giving lesbian. I’m annoyed that it wasn’t. Also, them growing apart was realistically done but I think if I exorcised my best friend we’d never lose touch. Maybe that’s just me, IDK.
At least it had some good horror elements and the characters felt real.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Gore, and Vomit
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, and Racism
abbie_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Eating disorder, Gore, Blood, and Vomit
Minor: Ableism and Homophobia
cosypuck's review
2.5
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Religious bigotry