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gafforama's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Animal death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Classism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Terminal illness, and Grief
howlinglibraries's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"Love is the path of least resistance, you see? It’s a lot more work to cause harm to someone who mistrusts you, or fears you. Or hates you. Love opens the city gates wide, and allows all manner of horrors right inside."
I don't read a lot of speculative fiction, so this took me a little bit to get into, and at first, I wasn't sure if I was enjoying it at all. Who was this crane, and why was the main character's mother taking him as a lover? Was this normal in this lightly dystopian setting? Did everyone take birds for mates, and why was this crane so particularly cruel?
As the story unraveled, though, I found myself drawn into it so intensely I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was interrupted at the 85% mark of the audiobook and couldn't get back to it soon enough because I had to know how it would end! And gradually, I realized that this wasn't a story that was supposed to make perfect sense, because it isn't a story about the crane. It's a story about generational trauma, and cycles of abuse, and the things that people — especially women — will tolerate in the name of love.
I enjoyed this so much. I can't wait to read more from this author.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Grief
jessicafee86's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Sexism
meaghanelizabook's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Cancer, Child abuse, Body horror, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Torture, Terminal illness, Blood, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
booksthoughtsandtea's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Cancer, Murder, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, and Grief
arayo's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Eating disorder, Chronic illness, Animal death, Terminal illness, and Body horror
devynreadsnovels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Animal death, Blood, Death, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Cancer, Eating disorder, and Grief
archaicrobin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Everything in this novella was superb for me, the narrator, the writing, the pacing, the plot, I absolutely loved it. I had a personal connection with this one and immediately connected with the 15 year old narrator since I was also the sole provider for my younger siblings when I was 14 and on. Making sure they’re fed, in bed, happy, and cared for. Lying to social workers when they came to visit out of the sheer terror I’d never see these kids that were like my own again. This book touched on a lot of trauma for me, but that’s one of the reasons it struck me in such a powerful way. One of my favorite books of 2023 by far!!
Sometimes Mothers fly away, and we’re left picking up their messes.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Grief, Animal cruelty, Blood, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Chronic illness
rektress's review
4.25
Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Grief, Abandonment, Chronic illness, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
suzannekm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Violence