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folkofthebook'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? No
4.25
I adore Yadriel, but Julian constantly has me in stitches. Besides being a clever jokester, he has a lot of heart and respect that we don’t always see in many people and possesses amazing grace and integrity. I loved the small moment when at a party after Yadriel turns down a drink from Julian telling him “I don’t drink,” Julian simply says “My bad!” and moves on. It’s a small moment, but powerful - speaking as someone who doesn't drink and the awkward, annoying, and frustrating situations that sometimes puts me in (being pressured to drink).
I also loved Yadriel’s cousin, Maritza (sup, fellow vegan!). She’s spunky and fun, but also incredibly compassionate and paving her own way based on her beliefs.
The book overall has a solid plot, a murder mystery with magic and laughs but also a lot of heart. The descriptions of the food, ceremonies, magic, and history are all vivid, and it manages to touch on several issues, from immigration to abuse to trans experience to teen homelessness. As a standalone, it wraps up well; I only wish we could have had an epilogue a bit further out from the main events to see what happens to the characters down the road.
This would be a great read at any time, but would prob be especially fun and spooky in October.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, and Death
Minor: Transphobia, Deadnaming, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Homophobia
arthur_ant18'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? No
4.25
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, Death, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Homophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, Medical content, Murder, Racism, and Dysphoria
Minor: Animal death, Self harm, Cultural appropriation, Child abuse, and Car accident
cozyteareads'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
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Transphobia, Violence, Dysphoria, and Child abuse
Moderate: Drug use, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Outing, Medical content, Grief, Death, Racism, and Bullying
Minor: Animal death, Abandonment, Car accident, and Physical abuse
emiliehomme'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Xenophobia, Homophobia, Murder, and Transphobia
nerdysread'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Transphobia, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Transphobia
aexileigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Death, Torture, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Deadnaming
titch'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
Graphic: Grief, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Death of parent, and Blood
Moderate: Murder and Homophobia
gilnean'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: Death of parent, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Dysphoria, Grief, Violence, Murder, Death, Kidnapping, Child death, Transphobia, and Blood
Moderate: Abandonment, Deadnaming, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, and Racism
Minor: Gaslighting, Car accident, Cultural appropriation, Police brutality, Classism, Alcohol, and Outing
recycled_personalities'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
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Gore, Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Homophobia, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Outing, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, Violence, and Xenophobia
thevieira'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
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Transphobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Racism, Deadnaming, Child abuse, and Animal death