plumpaperbacks'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? Yes
4.5
While the whole book was entertaining, the second half was especially thrilling, with many a revelation and plot twist keeping me on my toes. I love that the final showdown included a handful of chapters narrated by various side characters, thus giving us more insight into all that occurred. It really rounded things out, allowing for more detail without risk of the conflict being stretched on for too long. And the ending itself was lovely, so hopeful and honestly just perfect. ❤️
(My potential new ship—Briar/[A Newly Single Side Character]—might not have sailed, and I can see why, but I feel like it could still happen at some point in the future… Here’s to hoping.)
Also, I just want to say that I listened to this duology on audio, and I’m convinced I enjoyed the story more for it. Dani Martineck is a seriously talented narrator, and they did an incredible job with these books. While Wyatt’s chaotic gay inner monologue is hilarious in every format, this one absolutely takes the cake. I’ve never reached the end of an audiobook and wanted more, from it specifically, until now. If I reread, I’m coming back to the audiobooks; if you can get your hands on them, I highly recommend doing so; and if Dani has done any other books, I’m about to go look for them.
Representation:
- gay trans (FTM) protagonist
- Black queer demisexual love interest
- fat indigenous biromantic asexual side character
- nonbinary lesbian side character (they/them)
- various queer side characters & side characters of color (includes a Black character that uses a wheelchair)
- achillean couple (m/m)
- MMF side throuple
- minor sapphic side couple (f/f)
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Body horror, Death, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Animal death, Vomit, Racism, and Transphobia
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Cannibalism
All things tagged graphic are explicitly on-page, especially in the second half of the book. Most of the rest—excluding animal death and vomit—are only discussed, in varying capacities. Sexual harassment is in regards to a minor, sexual assault to an adult, though none is on-page. Some cannibalism is done by a side character, though again, none is on-page. Racism and transphobia are also discussed, as is gender dysphoria, but the first two are always challenged.karcitis'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
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Colonisation, Murder, War, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Grief, and Body horror
Moderate: Vomit, Animal death, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Dysphoria, Confinement, Child abuse, and Cannibalism
just_one_more_paige'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racism, War, Abandonment, Car accident, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit and Fire/Fire injury
instalovewithbooks'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? No
5.0
This book made me feel bonkers but also made me feel seen. I absolutely love this book. The characters, the REPRESENTATION! THE NARRATORS.
This book is filled with darkness but at the same time there is constant humor and jokes, and just absolutely brilliant. I just can't. I don't know if I will be able to write a review to do this justice - but yeah. I am going out tomorrow to hopefully purchase a physical copy.
Graphic: War, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Death, Transphobia, Terminal illness, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Vomit
bookwormbi'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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Medical trauma, War, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Violence, Cursing, Colonisation, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Vomit