michaela31's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
akalexyb's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
sandy_reads_books's review against another edition
I am not crazy interested in dystopians at the moment which made this book less interesting for me unfortunately because I recognize that it is such a good book. I definitely have some stand out points about it though that really pulled me in.
First was that the fact that the main character is trans was not the plot of the book. What is great about it is that he is depicted as having a sickness but that sickness has absolutely nothing to doing with his transness and that was amazing to see.
Second was how glad I was to see a closer up and more complex view of what the LGBTQ community can be like, especially in how discrimination occurs within groups, that from the an outsiders perspective would seem monolithic.
Third was the books relationship with religion. I thought it was really cool how even though the book’s antagonistic group is religious and is evil because of that religion the book does not equate being religious with being evil. That is a complex space that I have thought about some recently and it was really nice to see that reflected in this book.
ALSO I forgot to add this when I initially read this book but I was immediately flushed with joy and excitement when Avi Roque narrates a single chapter near the end of the book. I was absolutely not expecting it but as someone who loves The Owl House and the character of Raine Whispers I was so so happy when I heard their voice and came to the realization of who it was. It did admittedly take me out of the story because the two characters that the actor voices are so different but I honestly did not even care at that point because I was so happy.
First was that the fact that the main character is trans was not the plot of the book. What is great about it is that he is depicted as having a sickness but that sickness has absolutely nothing to doing with his transness and that was amazing to see.
Second was how glad I was to see a closer up and more complex view of what the LGBTQ community can be like, especially in how discrimination occurs within groups, that from the an outsiders perspective would seem monolithic.
Third was the books relationship with religion. I thought it was really cool how even though the book’s antagonistic group is religious and is evil because of that religion the book does not equate being religious with being evil. That is a complex space that I have thought about some recently and it was really nice to see that reflected in this book.
ALSO I forgot to add this when I initially read this book but I was immediately flushed with joy and excitement when Avi Roque narrates a single chapter near the end of the book. I was absolutely not expecting it but as someone who loves The Owl House and the character of Raine Whispers I was so so happy when I heard their voice and came to the realization of who it was. It did admittedly take me out of the story because the two characters that the actor voices are so different but I honestly did not even care at that point because I was so happy.
megangour's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
meadowlarksong5626's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
xenvirtue's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Religious bigotry, and Body horror
Moderate: Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Genocide, and Gore
Minor: Deadnaming
natasnee's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
apollo11's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
xxivo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book was totally awesome in the most gruesome ways.
I have to start with the fact that I love the trans rep in this book. Benji finding a group of queers where he can be himself is a trope I love seeing in books. I simply can never get enough of that feeling a character has when they finally feel a bit more safe. Totally safe they weren't though, queer groups definitely have infighting and this place just the same, so I loved to see that reflected in the book too.
Talking about rep, the Autism rep hit me deep. The way Nick behaves is something I relate to sooo much. And then when we got around his few POV chapters I bonded with him so much more by seeing his internal thoughts too. There was none of this stereotype "Autism is a superpower" thing that I absolutely hate, but it was rep that felt raw and showed the true aspects of having ASD. But then later on when Benji talks more to Nick about having Autism, gosh I totally cried.
I am not much of a horror reader, and really only have read a few books in this genre but I might really have to reconsider liking it as I previously thought I did not much. I loved how full of gore this book was, and I really loved all the dark atmospheres and themes. I really felt that this was extremely well done and I enjoyed every second of it.
Concluding this was a book I would recommend to all people who love horror and trans books.
I have to start with the fact that I love the trans rep in this book. Benji finding a group of queers where he can be himself is a trope I love seeing in books. I simply can never get enough of that feeling a character has when they finally feel a bit more safe. Totally safe they weren't though, queer groups definitely have infighting and this place just the same, so I loved to see that reflected in the book too.
Talking about rep, the Autism rep hit me deep. The way Nick behaves is something I relate to sooo much. And then when we got around his few POV chapters I bonded with him so much more by seeing his internal thoughts too. There was none of this stereotype "Autism is a superpower" thing that I absolutely hate, but it was rep that felt raw and showed the true aspects of having ASD. But then later on when Benji talks more to Nick about having Autism, gosh I totally cried.
I am not much of a horror reader, and really only have read a few books in this genre but I might really have to reconsider liking it as I previously thought I did not much. I loved how full of gore this book was, and I really loved all the dark atmospheres and themes. I really felt that this was extremely well done and I enjoyed every second of it.
Concluding this was a book I would recommend to all people who love horror and trans books.
tashinasaurus_rex's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.75