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sage_alexandra's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Violence, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Dementia, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
the animal death is pretty devastating and described in detail. below and spoiler tagged, I will very briefly say what happened and where, but it won't reveal any plot points:fanboyriot'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? Yes
3.5
Spice Level: n/a
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Narrated by Farrah Cave and Beth Easdown
Unabridged
Absolutely adored Every Exquisite Thing, so was excited to see that Steven's debut was available through my library app.
This is a sapphic, modern gothic retelling of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
I'm not sure if it wad the share name of Lottie combined with the sapphic grumpy x sunshine, but it at first had a wholesome likness to The Rosewood Chronicles. It also reminded me of Claire and Elise from The Coldest Touch.
This was such a good story!
I definitely see improvements in storytelling and writing style in the delivery of the modern gothic/dark academia genre, going back to this after reading Every Exquisite Thing, but it wasn't off putting.
The conversations did feel a little more juvenile than I'd expected but it was easily overlooked once I connected to the characters and got really invested in the story.
This inspiration of the classic has made me appreciate the themes of mental health that the original introduces.
I hope there are more in to come from these retellings, as I see these as becoming very beloved.
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book is reported to be dark and "funny". Dark yes, funny much less so. The animal murder is resolved in a way that makes it less traumatic to the reader, but at the time it happens it's very dark and disturbing. As an animal lover, I had to stop reading the book for the day after that scene.
I get where the author was coming from with the message about female anger and how it needs to be accepted and we need to change the sexism in the world. I really wish the author had stayed away from harming animals. I'm a person who prefers human death to animal death in fiction.
The book was decent. I liked the premise but the execution wasn't as good as possible.
Extra ratings: Fluff - 0/5 Heartfelt- 4/5 Helpful-NA Horror- 3/5 Inspiration- NA Love aka Romance-2/5 Mystery-3/5 Predictability- 3/5 Spice- 0/5 Suspense- 2/5 Tear 3.5/5 Thrill- 3.5/5 Humor-1/5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Chronic illness, Dementia, and Sexual harassment
hayleythegoose's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship