Scan barcode
A review by laguerrelewis
We All Fall Down by Rose Szabo
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
GIVE THIS BOOK A CHANCE.
Thank GOD i did not read any of the other reviews before I finished this story. This is the second time I’ve come across a book that has depth and complexity in relation to identity and race relations, yet come to find it has been review bombed. As a Black, bisexual, nonbinary reader, I didn’t have any major qualms about these aspects of the story. Sure, Harry Szabo is a white person touching on institutional racism and police brutality—it’s not going to be perfect. But I definitely wouldn’t say it’s bad. Yes, a white woman frames a Black man for a crime and doesn’t think twice about it. That doesn’t make the book racist. It makes the character complicated.
Okay. Now that that’s sorted, let’s get to the actual review. Szabo is a master of atmosphere. River City might as well be a real location, vivid and lived in and brimming with character. This is urban fantasy and magical realism executed with a level of ingenuity and care that is refreshing amongst a sea of copycats and tropes. The real selling points for me, though, were the characters. A rotating POV shared by 4 characters, and I loved them all. They were messy, complicated, but compelling and full of heart in a very real way. I worry about the empathy of the reviewers who said they couldn’t get into this cast. Will they frustrate you or make you unsure of where they stand? At times yes, but that’s the point. No one is perfect, and this story wouldn’t be half of what it is if they were.
I will say, for all my love of this book, the content warnings I’m tagging are no joke. I will not fault anyone for whom these are a dealbreaker, but if you’re interested, give this book a chance.
Thank GOD i did not read any of the other reviews before I finished this story. This is the second time I’ve come across a book that has depth and complexity in relation to identity and race relations, yet come to find it has been review bombed. As a Black, bisexual, nonbinary reader, I didn’t have any major qualms about these aspects of the story. Sure, Harry Szabo is a white person touching on institutional racism and police brutality—it’s not going to be perfect. But I definitely wouldn’t say it’s bad. Yes,
Okay. Now that that’s sorted, let’s get to the actual review. Szabo is a master of atmosphere. River City might as well be a real location, vivid and lived in and brimming with character. This is urban fantasy and magical realism executed with a level of ingenuity and care that is refreshing amongst a sea of copycats and tropes. The real selling points for me, though, were the characters. A rotating POV shared by 4 characters, and I loved them all. They were messy, complicated, but compelling and full of heart in a very real way. I worry about the empathy of the reviewers who said they couldn’t get into this cast. Will they frustrate you or make you unsure of where they stand? At times yes, but that’s the point. No one is perfect, and this story wouldn’t be half of what it is if they were.
I will say, for all my love of this book, the content warnings I’m tagging are no joke. I will not fault anyone for whom these are a dealbreaker, but if you’re interested, give this book a chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Lesbophobia, Sexism, Alcohol, Classism, Confinement, Murder, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Medical content, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Body horror, Dysphoria, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Violence, Abandonment, Homophobia, Death, and Gaslighting
Misgendering