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liesthemoontells'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Schwab's descriptions of place in the book are immediate and visceral. I particularly loved the use of colour, nature and decay to immediately situate you between Merilance, Gallant, and the not-Gallant. The slow reveal of Olivia's parents' story and the mystery behind the house at Gallant was well paced, with diary entries and images used to good effect (although I wonder if they would have had even more impact if I weren't using an e-reader).
I particularly loved the description of the ghouls; it was creepy and horrific to imagine a small child seeing flashes of of hovering body parts and half-people out of the corner of her eye. The use of the word ghouls instead of ghosts also differentiated them and their relationship to Olivia; it made them seem more real and tangible than if the word "ghost" was used.
I enjoyed Olivia as a character; she was relatable, resourceful, and charming without being cloying. Although I have no lived experience, I also thought the portrayal of disability and ableism was strong. Olivia is constantly underestimated by others due to her inability to speak, which has significant consequences on her happiness and wellbeing, but she is never treated with pity by the text; instead, the reader shares in her frustration with the limited thinking of the people around her.
I was expecting a happy ending at the end of the book from the way the story had framed Olivia as embarking on a hero's journey,
Overall there was nothing ground breaking about this book, but I found it entertaining, moving, and well-written.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
shmayjoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
nicosta_music's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, and Violence
wild_rabbits's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Suicide, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
angeldevoursliterature's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence and Pregnancy
Minor: Suicide and Medical content
leweylibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Honestly I just can't wait to talk about this book with others in our book club! I feel like there's a lot of cool stuff going on that I'm only scratching the surface of on my own.
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Child death
hippievamp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Gun violence, Suicide, and Terminal illness
readingwithkaitlyn'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? No
3.75
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, Violence, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
ayoung720's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
HOWEVER, I have a gripe with the last 15 pages... Essentially everything the main characters do is completely irrelevant? They hatch a rescue plan but then William dies, Olivia nearly dies, Death escapes but then is recaptured, and everything ends the same way it started except now Olivia is in charge of keeping Death locked behind the door instead of William? It just felt incredibly inconclusive. The only "change" is Olivia's realization of her powers which felt completely underdeveloped.
I still enjoyed the book overall and am excited to read more of Schwab's works, but the ending has definitely knocked my rating a bit .
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Confinement and Forced institutionalization
justmys's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beautifully paced with intriguing characters and a bone chilling ghost story woven throughout. It's not a hopeful read, but it's a gift of a story.
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail