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Graphic: Animal death, Body horror
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Rape, Torture, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent
I can respect the author’s writing skill, but this was very much Not For Me. It just felt like neverending misery/torture porn... it was nauseating at times. While the prose style was unique, the post-apocalyptic setting and the underlying “mystery” felt like a retread of many books that have gone before—not much new to offer there.
I truly don’t get the hype for this book.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Murder
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
That said, I really wanted more world-building, like Tender is the Flesh. Especially around the different “types” of women—diaphanous spirits, the enlightened, the worthy. I kept waiting for deeper explanations that never fully came, which left me a little unsatisfied. Still, this is a chilling, unsettling read. Not for the squeamish, but definitely for those who like dark and twisted quick reads.
Graphic: Animal death, Rape, Torture, Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Blood, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Rape
Minor: Animal death
What follows is a harrowing love story filled with secrets and hiding as they try to figure out just what is happening behind the scenes at the convent.
If you are squeamish, this might not be the book for you. On the first page, we're told of how our main character hides cockroaches in the pillows of another unworthy. Later, we see bodily mutilation, flagellation, and more. But god-dang if this isn't a totally incredible piece of literature that also puts a spin on religion, faith, and doubt as we know it.
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Physical abuse, Rape, Blood
I recommend the audiobook version as well! (shout out libro.fm!)
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, Injury/Injury detail