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discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I loved Aloe’s character in Pet and I loved him again in Bitter—an example of masculinity that is tender, nurturing, and multidimensional.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Death, Murder, Violence, Abandonment, and Self harm
Moderate: Police brutality
lana72905's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Cursing, War, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Police brutality, and Blood
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Child abuse
notapenguin's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Violence, War, Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Gun violence
stefhyena's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The romance had its problematic aspects like instalove will. The love interest was too good to be true initially and tended to love-bomb which in real life would be a red flag but he was likeable nevertheless. Later in the book he acted like an immature jerk and this was smoothed over a bit too easily I thought. In books people go from really deep conflicts to forever love all too easily and I don't think this is a healthy thing to teach youth...but there was a lot else going on.
There was acceptance for physical and mental disability, meltdowns/anxiety. It was clearly shown that where parents are not available you can have an intergenerational community of care (I found that very beautifully portrayed and the fact it was matriarchal didn't bother me too much). There is moral complexity in that just killing the bad guys is not the answer, but wanting to is portrayed as understandable. Art is rightly shown as significant but what I thought was more problematic was the easy conclusion that not being in the frontline because you are an artist is as good as giving your life or body to the struggle. I don't disagree with aspects of how this played out but I think noone actually wants to be in the trenches doing the hard yards they tend to (in real life) feel lonely and unsupported and the portrayal in the book was idealised to the point where people will feel affirmed in doing nothing.
I wondered if some issues were glossed over or simplified because of the perception that teens won't read it if you add more depth (or if it was a wordcount issue). A few other minor issues too but overall nothing detracted from the fact I was enjoying this book all the way through and keen to know what happened next. An interesting and worthwhile book.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Police brutality, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug use
Despite the content warnings, and not to make light of them it was a positive and hope-filled booklena_krysiak's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Mass/school shootings, Self harm, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Murder
cerilouisereads'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
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Violence, and Mental illness
Moderate: Homophobia and Ableism
kbairbooks's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Violence, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Child death and Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent
l_prelas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Minor: Violence, Child abuse, Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
annemariemulksibb'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? No
4.0
Moderate: Violence and Police brutality
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
cadence99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, Child abuse, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Ableism