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beforeviolets's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"How do I talk about a book which felt like it had torn open my chest and stared into my soul?"
This book terrified me. This book tore me open and picked apart every ounce of myself and broke it all down. I cried countless times reading this.
I can't put my thoughts into too many words out of fear of ruining the magic for those that have not had the opportunity to dig their claws into this masterpiece yet but this is easily the most beautiful and most touching story I've ever read.
<i> "...To my fellow lonely creatures out there, waiting patiently in the dark... Are you there? I hope you're listening." </i>
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Self harm, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism
garibae's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I disliked every single character in this book. The author diversity-dropped at every possible turn, piling up oppression after oppression and turning what could have been a fun trope-y book into an exhausting read.
Every friendship in the book is toxic, Grace's relationship with her parents is abusive, and the "romantic" storyline is painful to follow between two caricatures of a character. The mentions of mental health were beyond problematic (calling people "feral" and "things" when they are in the hospital for mental health issues) and the fetishisation of minority groups was nauseating.
Perhaps what irked me most, however, was the word "monster" (a word triggering for many people in the lgbtq+ community) and how the author attempted to romanticize it.
Graphic: Abandonment, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
fromjuliereads's review
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, and Self harm
Minor: Death of parent
samantha_nicole_e's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
saratonin_stories'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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Self harm
aseel_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
i thoroughly enjoyed this. i was a bit worried about all the hard topics this book dealt with but i think they were covered in a way where you felt the pain but you were not dragged through every excruciating moment, reliving it with MC. i liked the intersectionality of the book, dealing with the different identities and troubles it comes with. i liked emphasis on seeking professional for mental health/trauma, it was done in such a refreshing way. i really related to Grace tbh. the romance was super cute but a tad rushed and i liked all the friendships and found family.
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts