A review by akalavander
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An absolutely horrifying book that I read in one sitting. It felt impossible to put down. I agree with another review I saw saying that you had to suspend some disbelief about the world building. Some of the plot elements like the Scavengers and the widespread conformity felt unrealistic, but other parts, like how different generations would react to this new world, felt very real. Many parts of this book, including the ending, absolutely broke my heart. You kind of feel for Marcos but also know he's 100% a villain in this world too. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Violence, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Murder, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Death

Moderate: Death of parent, Dementia, Genocide, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Sexual assault, Trafficking, Violence, Vomit, Abortion, Animal death, Body horror, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Blood, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Drug use, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, Infertility, Murder, Slavery, Torture, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt