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morethanmylupus's review
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I loved the premise of this book, but in the end it didn't work for me. There was very little plot. We get a lot of background content that is maybe intended to serve as an ethical foil for some of the things the patients do to try and survive. The idea of revisiting memories was compelling, but overall it didn't add that much to the story.
I also want to add that this pandemic felt a lot like the covid-19 pandemic. The symptoms are only slightly changed but things like the lack of taste and smell were maintained. Certainly, the pandemic's impact on society was much more dramatic than covid-19. However, it's close enough that this may be traumatic for some readers.
I also want to add that this pandemic felt a lot like the covid-19 pandemic. The symptoms are only slightly changed but things like the lack of taste and smell were maintained. Certainly, the pandemic's impact on society was much more dramatic than covid-19. However, it's close enough that this may be traumatic for some readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Pandemic/Epidemic
cc_shelflove's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I hate when you finish a book and say, “Well that’s x amount of hours of my life that I won’t get back.” 😅 I really thought this would be interesting based on the first chapter. Neffy arrived to a medical laboratory, Vaccine Bio-Pharm, to partake in an experimental vaccine trial during a global pandemic. The rest of the book really went off the rails, though. Instead of just focusing on the present timeline and the strangers holed up in the lab, the author decided to include Neffy’s random ass letters addressed to an octopus. That’s not all! Neffy also used a device to “Revisit” her memories, and I unfortunately had to read through those, too. The book was two storylines too many, as Neffy’s letters and memories did not contribute to the overall plot at all. And the ending? So terrible it’s not even funny—entirely abrupt and rushed. I would like to know who reviewed this woman’s outline and thought it was cohesive? 😅
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Confinement, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Blood and Car accident
cryfest's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, Terminal illness, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, and Medical content
jennikreads's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Addiction, Terminal illness, and Sexual violence
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