The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
lilyadams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Body shaming, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
winterdevil's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
 ...nothing matters, and nothing lasts. Everyone forgets, and everything disappears. ... Would anyone miss you, if you went away? Would anyone look for you? Would anyone listen, or even care, if I hurt you? If I put my hands around your neck and crushed your windpipe and chopped you up, would anyone find you? And if it's a no to any of these, did you even exist in the first place?
This book is not for everyone, but it is definitely for me.
From the first page, we know protagonist Irina is not a good person, but Clark renders her inner dialogue and the responses to people around her so well. We know what they're warning about and responding nervously to, even as we're forced to see it from Irina's perspective. Irina looks down on so many people; she is extremely condescending and resentful, yet the side characters were still sympathetic and well-rounded. We feel for them as we watch Irina take advantage.
I think the comparisons to American Psycho are apt, particularly regarding Irina's personality which feels in conversation with Patrick Bateman. Not a copy, but from an overlooked subject that broadens the discussion to include gender in the performance of power and violence.Â
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Sexual content
cece5j's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Cursing, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Gore, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Body horror, Body shaming, Drug use, Eating disorder, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Minor: Child death