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caoimhemia'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
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
sersi'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
3.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
jodar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I found the characters were well portrayed, the MC relatable (despite getting pretty extreme psychologically), the dialogue flowed naturally and the plot moved along at a moderate pace without bogging down. There’s even some nicely pitched humour, particularly aimed against the foibles and excesses of Americans. The story is well-grounded, too, even though at various times the reader is confronted by a wide-sweeping, multiple-time-and-space viewpoint. I kept wanting to pick up the book again each time, which is a good sign.
Themes that for me lifted this novel above a simple “fun read”: the dark side of power, especially power over others’ welfare and lives; friendship and authentic love; true versus apparent strength; the search for meaning; the ultimate mystery of existence.
An impressive first novel by the author. I’d be keen to read any sequel, as the ending hinted there may be.
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Vomit and Car accident
epruta'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
4.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
jkauffman503's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
kay_chan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Magical realism with a dark horror twist. Philosophical. A story I will never forget.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
whizzbee87's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Physical abuse and Torture
Moderate: Animal cruelty
dana_naylor's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it.
Trigger warnings galore. The gore and torment is intense.
I doubt I’ll reread it, but it was a wild journey. Definitely not for everyone.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Rape, Torture, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
gondorgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
nicole_night1092's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail