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elwirax's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
These short stories highlighted many real life horrors in the world such as pedophilia, child trafficking and rape, suicide and self harm. While I tend to enjoy sociopolitical horror, the way certain themes were explored felt less like thoughtful commentary and more like shock value.
The stories were packed with misogyny and 'kids who come back' used problematic transphobic language. I suppose that this was used as a tool to present bias and prejudice as a horror of the world and highlighted the idea that the narrator's are just as 'monstrous' as the events happening. I am not insinuating that these are the author's beliefs, merely that it can be harmful to readers.
Overall, not a very good literary horror collection, either in terms of plot or writing.
Angelita Unearthed: 2 stars
Our Lady of the Quarry:1 star
The Cart: 1 star
The Well: 2.5 stars
Rambla Triste: 2 stars
The Lookout: 2.5 stars
Where are you , dear heart: 1 star
Meat: 2 stars
No birthdays or baptisms: 1 star
Kids who come back: 0.5 star
The dangers of smoking in bed: 1 star
Back when we talked to the dead: 3 stars
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, and Excrement
Minor: Sexual content, Transphobia, and Trafficking
laran_s's review against another edition
1.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, and Trafficking
serendipitysbooks'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Self harm, and Trafficking
scarredman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Gun violence and Suicide
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, and Cannibalism
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
lizetteratura's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
1. Our Lady of the Quarry
2. Meat
3. Back When We Talked to the Dead
4. The Cart
5. The Lookout
6. No Birthdays or Baptisms
7. Rambla Triste
8. Where Are You, Dear Heart?
9. Angelita Unearthed
10. The Well
11. Kids Who Come Back
12. The Dangers of Smoking in Bed
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Self harm
Moderate: Pedophilia, Suicide, and Trafficking
Minor: Rape, Transphobia, and Kidnapping
wilfredamadeus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Trafficking, and Suicide attempt
paveunpaved's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Favourite story: kids who come back
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, Sexual content, Trafficking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Transphobia
miraveta's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child death and Gore
Moderate: Pedophilia, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Self harm, Sexual violence, Excrement, and Trafficking
bookforestsprite'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, and Pregnancy
gusabus'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
Moderate: Child death, Pedophilia, and Rape