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solarel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I’m conflicted a bit. While I enjoyed the main two characters, Abitha and Samson, I found the plot as a whole to be very… typical?
Samson’s story was by far the most interesting plot line. I enjoyed watching him struggle to find who he really is. Is he the monster or the savior? Abitha however, her story felt not just predictable but inevitable. The last third of the book is pure torture porn, and she did not grow as a character. She is merely an instrument of a vengeance arc.
I saw a lot of reviewers say this story was very white. And I think I see what they mean. I don’t know what the author’s religious background is, but this read as a very Christian framed story. People said this was a horror novel. I didn’t find it scary, only sad. People were the villain. Puritan culture was the villain. And yet it still felt like it was still validating their beliefs in the end with what was supposed to be the “horror”.
I don’t know if that makes sense, but “pagan” aspects were not rooted in lore beyond that of Christianity. I guess that’s what made it feel like more of a fantasy masquerade of a pagan story of blurred good and evil.
Stars for ambiance and entertainment only.
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Abandonment, Suicide attempt, Torture, Xenophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Body horror, Colonisation, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Grief, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Violence, Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cultural appropriation, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
vikreadstons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Religious bigotry, Animal cruelty, Misogyny, and Domestic abuse
slefebvre95's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, and Torture
pureseduction50's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence
amiraonthewa11's review against another edition
Couldn't move past the graphic description of them killing the cat
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
scifi_rat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Misogyny, Torture, Body horror, Gore, Racism, Death of parent, Blood, Death, Police brutality, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Violence, Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Physical abuse, Animal death, Bullying, and Colonisation
hownoveljo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Blood, Death, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Violence, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gore, Murder, Torture, and Toxic relationship
kelleykamanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Torture, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Grief, Death of parent, Stalking, Death, Blood, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, and Gore
Minor: Racism
kaseythefairy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gore, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail
soyboi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Animal death, Religious bigotry, Cursing, Sexism, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Torture, Grief, Gore, Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, Murder, Gun violence, Violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Excrement