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asecretplant's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Gore, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
tales_told_in_gold'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Gun violence and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Alcoholism, Racism, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
bea_reads_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, and Death of parent
Moderate: Colonisation and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Xenophobia, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
nashaytreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Though the big bad was very stereotypical, the other characters, particularly Alon and their adorably loyal doggo, more than made up for it. There were quite a few characters, so we don’t get too deep into any of them but it also doesn’t get convoluted or confusing. You get a good enough amount of info you need about the characters in scene and it works.
It definitely had me creeped out a time or two as well! It reads like a thriller movie that’s not quite horror, which for me personally is fantastic. Especially if you like a little thrill but want to be able to still sleep at night.
There are some minor details that didn’t quite make sense to me, hence the 4 stars, but I’d still highly recommend this book.
Moderate: Body horror and Violence
apothecarum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping
piendorabox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Suicide, Murder, and Sexual harassment
_p0ssum_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Violence and Colonisation
caramiaculpa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Self harm, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
apersonfromflorida'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
warlocksarecool21'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? It's complicated
4.0
In regards to the plot/writing, I thought the author did a good job shrouding everything in mystery, even though Alon is our protagonist, they’re kind of an unreliable narrator so it’s like we’re figuring it out with the rest of the crew. While I did like watching Hemlock and the other producers get their comeuppance, I felt that the commentary surrounding their sins was a little heavy-handed but that didn’t bother me too much. I wish the relationship between Alon and Chase was developed a bit more, I wasn’t really convinced that they liked each other than they were both hot and the same age but I am a cranky asexual.
Finally, even though the writing was purposely detached at times, the creepiness and suspense throughout the book was really done. The significance of the balete trees and the mahakiya plants was really interesting to me, and I was definitely weirded out at times. The balete monsters and everything else the Diwata conjured up definitely gave me the same creepy vibes as all the creatures and weirdness of the Upside Down in Stranger Things, so if you liked that element of the show you’ll probably enjoy this book.
This is a creepy yet fun YA horror and I definitely recommend it.
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Sexual harassment