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fox_at_the_circus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The first chapter is perfect. It's short, but sets the scene perfectly and makes you excited for the story to come. I love the world-building of this book in general. The cat-based religion is amazing, and so unique, I haven't read anything similar before. The city is just perfect, as someone who lives in a big city, it feels so realistic in its beauty, but especially in its ugly and in its people.
The characters in this book are amazing, too. The main / recurring characters are so well-written. They have values and goals, that make sense with their backgrounds, they are multifacted and have flaws, but not necessarily bad people for it. D is practical, but can be ruthless at times, and she's also romantic. Robert is idealistic and pro-acitve, but he also holds a lot of prejudice and is selfish. Ike is a little shit and opportunistic but also cares for his friends a lot. They feel like real people and while reading the story more and more comes to light, that only further develops the characters. And their relationships with each other were super interesting because of that.
Reading the different POVs was fun and gave a good allround perspective of the events taking place, without spoiling the overall mystery. I really enjoyed getting short POVs from side characters, it filled out the setting really nicely. And the side characters were just so fun to read, too, a lot of quirky characters.
There are so many different actors and plans going on and the flashback chapters inbetween really add to the mystery and kept me on my toes.
And while it dealt with heavier themes and scenes it still kept its humour, in the tone of writing and the characters. It reminded me of Terry Pratchett's writing.
The characters in this book are amazing, too. The main / recurring characters are so well-written. They have values and goals, that make sense with their backgrounds, they are multifacted and have flaws, but not necessarily bad people for it. D is practical, but can be ruthless at times, and she's also romantic. Robert is idealistic and pro-acitve, but he also holds a lot of prejudice and is selfish. Ike is a little shit and opportunistic but also cares for his friends a lot. They feel like real people and while reading the story more and more comes to light, that only further develops the characters. And their relationships with each other were super interesting because of that.
Reading the different POVs was fun and gave a good allround perspective of the events taking place, without spoiling the overall mystery. I really enjoyed getting short POVs from side characters, it filled out the setting really nicely. And the side characters were just so fun to read, too, a lot of quirky characters.
There are so many different actors and plans going on and the flashback chapters inbetween really add to the mystery and kept me on my toes.
And while it dealt with heavier themes and scenes it still kept its humour, in the tone of writing and the characters. It reminded me of Terry Pratchett's writing.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Classism
Minor: Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Death of parent
julesleigh's review against another edition
There were a couple of instances where I wanted to shut this book off, and I know that I probably should have sooner. But once they joked about sexual assault that was it for me. That is nothing to joke about even if the character is despicable. It's horrible and gross and detrimental to people reading this book.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Murder, and War
Don't bother reading this book. It was slow as hell to begin with and not that interesting. I mainly was listening because I started it and wanted to finish it and see where it went, but now I will not be finishing it nor will I be reading anything else from Owen King.