smuttymcbookface's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The characters themselves were well-written, both nuanced and flawed, and we were clearly able to see their struggles and trials as they developed into more understanding versions of themselves.
The only reason I've not given this 5* was that I found it to be a little too simplistic/YA at times, with some plots neatly lining up with one another, or ridiculously convenient plans (such as Coco being part of the infirmary and just happening to be able to take ownership of Lou).
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Violence, Xenophobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Animal death and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
melissafelicia's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death
zia_c'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
3.5
The plot is good but it's kinda confusing for me. There's no time reference and not much detail about the world. I don't even know the mmc's age.. lol.
Either way, I enjoyed reading it. The ending wasn't satisfactory nor was the 3rd part of the book but anyway. I'm rating this book on fmc alone.
It's been a very long time since I've found a fmc with a spine and a impressive mouth( not like that).
I don't know if I'll continue the series. I've got what I wanted and I can kinda see where the story's going so imma put in down for now. Reason is the YA writing style. The writing is beautiful and engaging, no doubt, but I still kinda not completely connect with it.
The story is good and I think those who enjoy YA will really like it.
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, and Vomit
Moderate: Sexual content and Infidelity
zoepagereader'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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Gore, Misogyny, Torture, Body horror, Murder, Religious bigotry, Cursing, Death, Grief, and War
Minor: Abandonment
cosmicpasta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
This sure was a book I finished. I waited a few days after actually finishing to write this so I dont have the same level of anger and try to be as fair as possible. Lots of others have said what I dont like in their reviews so I'm going to keep this brief.
This is book largely feels like a debut novel that was rushed in the editing or suggestions were largely ignored. The pacing was inconsistent as was the tone, with poorly placed humor in between scenes that should've been more serious. Especially the use if the annoying bar song characters kept using in the worst times. Theme wise, it is incredibly white feminist who recently was told she needed to be more intersectional but doesn't know how. So any feminist ideas that don't conform to white cishet women is played poorly
Spoiler
such as the use of "they are only female if they can have babies" or the catalyst of the story being "women fake sexual assult".Character wise, the main characters were really lacking for me. Lou is constantly called smart and clever but majority of the book I found myself yelling because she was constantly making the stupid choice. Reid was slightly better but he still fell flat when it came to connecting clear dots. Not to mention their relationship did not click for me because while I love enemies to lovers, there is a difference between "different sides fall in love" and
Spoiler
one love interest is part of a group that has a history of killing minorities and children, both you read in detail.All in all, it was a messy, disjointed time that ended up being more aggravating in the end than enjoyable for me.
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Kidnapping, Violence, Blood, Body horror, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming
bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
1.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Death, Sexism, Misogyny, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Confinement, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Self harm
Minor: Sexual assault, Acephobia/Arophobia, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
acogna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
Spoiler
what with the rescue plotSpoiler
(and the rule breaks thereof)Horrific to go through. I was spending the last half checking to see how far I was away from the ending.
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Religious bigotry
katievallin'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
3.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, Sexism, Violence, Body horror, Religious bigotry, Blood, Death, Misogyny, Grief, Hate crime, and Vomit
Moderate: Cursing, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
bluebreex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I found Lou being the character I liked the most all in all - however that doesn't count for much in the end due to how I found almost all of the men in this book to be perverted and creepy. (Whether that was intentional or not).
Not sure if I will continue with this series or not.
Graphic: Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Misogyny
Moderate: Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy
bzliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The book is well paced and establishes stakes early on while continuing to drop bits of lore along the way to keep readers hooked. Lou is an endearing scamp and Reid is a very good boy learning that the world isn’t necessarily what he thought. They both grow to understand each other’s point of view as their relationship develops. A very fun read despite one of my least favorite tropes- closing out the book with a lead-in to the next which the audience has no context for but it feels like it’s supposed to be a mic drop moment.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Blood, Death, Religious bigotry, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Vomit and Sexual content