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mal_reads_books's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The story was gripping and suspenseful, full of red herrings that actually tricked and surprised me. I loved how the drawings were included so that I felt immersed in the story. Overall, it's one of the better thrillers I've read.
However, it gave me weird vibes at times.
The "male gaze" experiment at the beginning was weird and didn't relate to the rest of the story.
The anti-religious parents were stereotypical liberals who don't even say "bless you" or celebrate Christmas. They have discussions with the child about private parts and exposing oneself, even buying a graphic sex book for the child. The main character is Christian and saves the child from the parents, who kidnapped the child and forced the child to change gender. The child transitions back to a girl and the main character goes "I knew [the child] was a girl all along." . Reviewers have debated whether this book is transphobic. On a surface level, it may not seem so. Given this was published last year and alludes to right-wing views on the matter, I feel the author was making a statement supporting these ideas.
There were also fatphobic statements like "she ballooned to a size eight", which is not even fat. The main character criticized her mom for being fat and unhelpful, but all is well when she loses weight.
Other issues include one-dimensional stereotypical characters such the crazy right-wing neighbor and the main character's landscaper Latino friend, and how technology turns children into zombies.
To an extent, I enjoyed the book. I liked its originality with the drawings. Unfortunately, it got heavy-handed with the political and religious ideology, especially toward the end.
However, it gave me weird vibes at times.
The "male gaze" experiment at the beginning was weird and didn't relate to the rest of the story.
The anti-religious parents were stereotypical liberals who don't even say "bless you" or celebrate Christmas. They have discussions with the child about private parts and exposing oneself, even buying a graphic sex book for the child. The main character is Christian and saves the child from the parents
There were also fatphobic statements like "she ballooned to a size eight", which is not even fat. The main character criticized her mom for being fat and unhelpful, but all is well when she loses weight.
Other issues include one-dimensional stereotypical characters such the crazy right-wing neighbor and the main character's landscaper Latino friend, and how technology turns children into zombies.
To an extent, I enjoyed the book. I liked its originality with the drawings. Unfortunately, it got heavy-handed with the political and religious ideology, especially toward the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Racism
talsbooknook's review against another edition
This is a poorly written book full of right wing dog whistles, religious propaganda and transphobia. Absolute nonsense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Death of parent, Death, Violence, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Fatphobia, Classism, Body shaming, and Blood
chaptersbydani's review
1.5
Right-wing thriller— which was super disappointing. A lot of racism with an extra dose of transphobia.
Only reason why it’s not a 1 star is because I appreciated the experimental format of the book. The illustrations were really cool and enhanced the story. And it’s something I’ve not seen done before.
Only reason why it’s not a 1 star is because I appreciated the experimental format of the book. The illustrations were really cool and enhanced the story. And it’s something I’ve not seen done before.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Violence, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Infertility, Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, and Transphobia
dogearedbooks's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Horror Lite? It isn't really horror but like a supernatural thriller.
The drawings were amazing, the writing is straight forward and quick paced. It drags a bit in the center and then goes crazy.
Spoiler Alert Again
The first twist is that Teddy is female. When Mallory finds out she says "Why didn't you tell me Teddy was a girl" And then the parents claim he is transgender. He is not, Flora (Teddy) was actually kidnapped by them and they forced him to pretend to be a boy. They say they didn't mention it because Mallory is religious. Mallory realizes that the kid loves lavander, doesn't want to play with other little boys and dislikes hair being cut. All things which...aren't tied to gender? or sex. Like it isn't done well. A trope that needs to be thrown in the trash.
(I am trans myself by the way)
Also I think the author hates atheists? Or like doesn't think they believe in anything except science. Also itt was weird, the amount of thrown in things about immigrants, religion, ect.
There are other weird things in this book that bother me but this ending was like...what.
The drawings were amazing, the writing is straight forward and quick paced. It drags a bit in the center and then goes crazy.
Spoiler Alert Again
(I am trans myself by the way)
Also I think the author hates atheists? Or like doesn't think they believe in anything except science. Also itt was weird, the amount of thrown in things about immigrants, religion, ect.
There are other weird things in this book that bother me but this ending was like...what.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Car accident, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Murder, Transphobia, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Racism
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