Scan barcode
emilinchen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Rape, Child abuse, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Physical abuse
Minor: Cancer
jlily_'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic friendship
yannea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a story that deserves 5 stars but it took me three months to actually finish the book. It's a heavy and painful read but it shouldn't come as a surprise when the cover has words like "devastating" and "haunting" written on it.
There were three things that pulled the rating down for me. First of all, I couldn't understand why the main character had to a writer. It depicted a very naive American dream because a 22-years-old immediately getting a book deal that pays all of his bills sounds too far-fetched. Maybe I missed something but I just couldn't see how it played any part in the plot.
Secondly, the "face" of the evil was a blonde, blue-eyed sociopath who worshipped Hitler and wore dark round sunglasses like John Lennon. His description made him a cliché cardboard character. Him being born a sociopath felt such a simple explanation of why someone would support Taliban. It's like someone told you to draw a human shaped monster and this is what you draw. It would be much harder to explain why normal common people do evil things. And normal common people have done a great deal of horrible things.
Lastly, it's written in first person with main character that is not very likeable so sitting so many hours with his regret and insecurity is very difficult. It's a spiral - you think something is bad and then takes place something that is worse. And then it keeps getting worse.
Also if you are triggered by child abuse and explicit violence, then stay away from this book.
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Pedophilia, and Rape
beancastro'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
4.75
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Self harm, Murder, Death, Torture, Rape, Miscarriage, Infertility, Genocide, Death of parent, and Medical trauma
maja56's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Rape, and Racism
saniseee's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Death, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Self harm, Racism, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Cancer, Child death, Suicide, Rape, and War
amabel_xo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Violence and Xenophobia
Moderate: Chronic illness, Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Classism, Torture, Sexual violence, Self harm, Physical abuse, Infertility, Cancer, Blood, Racism, Adult/minor relationship, War, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Rape, Slavery, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Misogyny, Grief, Genocide, Sexual assault, Islamophobia, Infidelity, Hate crime, and Alcoholism
aliyah0'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
3.0
Graphic: Rape, Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Infertility
Minor: Suicide
slayalicious'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: Cursing, Death, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Gore, Grief, Body horror, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Infertility, Murder, Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Violence, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Pedophilia, and War
aiaholt'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
Graphic: Murder, Self harm, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, War, and Suicide attempt