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swiftpool'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
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Torture, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Death, Blood, Sexism, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Gore and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
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
laurenthompson6290's review against another edition
4.25
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual violence, Animal death, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault
charlie_woodchipper's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Could have never guess that this was written by a man. The internal turmoil of Abatha in face of misogyny was extremely on point. Would definitely read Brom other books
Minus 0.25 for the *very* bad depiction of indigenous people. It's also quite repetitive sometimes.
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Torture
Minor: Sexual harassment and Animal death
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
ilaxaria's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Gore, Racial slurs, Murder, Religious bigotry, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Racism, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual harassment
bitteralbatross's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Animal death, Religious bigotry, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault, Racism, and Sexual harassment
spicy_matzahball's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
swiveller's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Torture, Death of parent, Death, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Animal cruelty, Blood, Animal death, Cultural appropriation, Grief, and Violence