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fragrant_stars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Biphobia, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Alcohol, War, Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Grief
Minor: Gun violence, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Body horror, Infertility, Bullying, Death, Slavery, and Violence
axel_p's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Abandonment, Animal death, Child abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation, Confinement, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, War, Alcohol, Homophobia, Outing, Racism, Biphobia, Body horror, Xenophobia, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Slavery, and Violence
alibrarymouse'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? It's complicated
5.0
This is a coming-of-age story that turns everything you expect in a fantasy on its head while exploring all the different types of love.
Elliott is the most abrasive main character, but he isn’t hard to love. He was so likable from the beginning when he admits what the rest of us think: when you have the potential to live in a fantasy story, you have to take it. But instead of being just like any other portal fantasy, Elliott learns life isn’t unicorns and rainbows… in fact, unicorns are kind of jerks.
But the best part of this book was that Brennan admits there are so many ways to love, even when we feel unlovable. Elliott was rude, he had a difficult home life, and he didn’t know how to love the way he thought he should. Yet he found family, friends, and a place to belong while pointing out that violence isn’t always the answer. He explored sexuality and how important it is to value yourself. Love is special, and we should choose love, even if it doesn’t look like what we expected.
The commentary on war, peace, and love were gorgeous; delivered naturally and without seeming contrived. I genuinely liked all of the characters here, and everyone grew up and faced different challenges in their own ways. Dark topics were given their due, but honestly, this was one of the coziest books I’ve ever read while confronting thoughts, emotions, and experiences that everyone has difficulty facing.
Graphic: Gore, Biphobia, Death, Murder, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, War, and Violence
tetedump'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
4.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Child abuse, Violence, and War
wizardowl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexism, War, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Blood, Abandonment, Biphobia, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content
toadstoolsnshit's review
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Violence, War, and Death
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Blood, Sexism, and Child abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Biphobia, and Injury/Injury detail
samanthalh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: War, Violence, and Child abuse
theoldestbennetsister's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Violence, Body horror, Child abuse, Sexual content, Sexism, and War
chloevienna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Biphobia, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Violence, and War