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lauraelovesbooks's review
dark
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
4.5
Giana’s beautiful writing can make even the darkest story touching and poetic
A lot of this book was heavy and difficult to read but it was balanced by beautifully emotional moments and eventual justice and satisfaction
Funnily enough I found the romance the weakest part of this story. I would have liked to see more of the emotional connection develop between Lex and Luna. The beginning of their relationship seemed very lust-driven with the deeper feelings seemingly coming out of nowhere. The payoff, however, was definitely there
A lot of this book was heavy and difficult to read but it was balanced by beautifully emotional moments and eventual justice and satisfaction
Funnily enough I found the romance the weakest part of this story. I would have liked to see more of the emotional connection develop between Lex and Luna. The beginning of their relationship seemed very lust-driven with the deeper feelings seemingly coming out of nowhere. The payoff, however, was definitely there
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Homophobia
smilesgiggle's review against another edition
5.0
This book was recommended to me by a Sapphic book group - it did NOT disappoint. Easily binged in an afternoon.
Medusa retelling - loved all the Gorgon sisters, desperately hoping they each get their own book.
So well written - definitely one of my top for this year.
I am all about angry women - this book lit it on fire. The heat between Lex and Luna.
The writing - eloquent and harsh. I am so here for it!
Medusa retelling - loved all the Gorgon sisters, desperately hoping they each get their own book.
So well written - definitely one of my top for this year.
I am all about angry women - this book lit it on fire. The heat between Lex and Luna.
The writing - eloquent and harsh. I am so here for it!
sophielaura1's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 stars ✨
I have kind of complicated feelings on this one.
On one hand, I feel as though it was maturely, thoughtfully and masterfully written regarding the sexual assault (+aftermath) plot line , with a very unique, modern spin on Medusa.
On the other, the plot line may have been too strong ‘for what I was looking for’(!). I went into this expecting it to be a dark, sapphic romance, with the SA plot line being a sub-plot. In actuality, it was the reverse. The plot was almost too strong that it overshadowed the romance. Now, I don’t think that this is an inherently bad thing for the book itself, but the marketing regarding this book absolutely needs to change. I get why it was marketed as a romance as that is Darling’s typical genre that she writes quite successfully in, however this story felt worlds away from her other novels.
Speaking of the romance, it did also unfortunately feel a little too lust filled for my taste. And this is going to sound strange considering the romance was sapphic, but it didn’t feel sapphic at all. I have no idea how to elaborate on that point, it was just the vibes.
Overall I do actually believe that this is a very strong novel with a strong plot- I would just switch the genre and how it’s marketed.
I have kind of complicated feelings on this one.
On one hand, I feel as though it was maturely, thoughtfully and masterfully written regarding the sexual assault (+aftermath) plot line , with a very unique, modern spin on Medusa.
On the other, the plot line may have been too strong ‘for what I was looking for’(!). I went into this expecting it to be a dark, sapphic romance, with the SA plot line being a sub-plot. In actuality, it was the reverse. The plot was almost too strong that it overshadowed the romance. Now, I don’t think that this is an inherently bad thing for the book itself, but the marketing regarding this book absolutely needs to change. I get why it was marketed as a romance as that is Darling’s typical genre that she writes quite successfully in, however this story felt worlds away from her other novels.
Speaking of the romance, it did also unfortunately feel a little too lust filled for my taste. And this is going to sound strange considering the romance was sapphic, but it didn’t feel sapphic at all. I have no idea how to elaborate on that point, it was just the vibes.
Overall I do actually believe that this is a very strong novel with a strong plot- I would just switch the genre and how it’s marketed.
moxiemin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
This book will be living rent free in my head for a while!
A Medusa retelling, set on the campus of a Ivy League School, where Medusa is queer. Seriously maybe I should just have taken this book as a IV drug.
Please before you take this book on check the trigger warnings, bc there are a lot. And your mental health matters!
A Medusa retelling, set on the campus of a Ivy League School, where Medusa is queer. Seriously maybe I should just have taken this book as a IV drug.
Please before you take this book on check the trigger warnings, bc there are a lot. And your mental health matters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Moderate: Hate crime, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit
teacofe's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- 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
1.5
acristina_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
amera314's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
This novel follows Lex and Luna who are enrolled in college together. Before any interaction, Lex gets assaulted by a professor and this is her revenge story. It’s also a love story.
This is a great book if you love a good revenge story but not as great if you want a love story. Women fighting back against men who sexually assault them is empowering and was my favorite part of the book. However, I feel like the romance between the main two characters was forced and happened too quickly.
This is a great book if you love a good revenge story but not as great if you want a love story. Women fighting back against men who sexually assault them is empowering and was my favorite part of the book. However, I feel like the romance between the main two characters was forced and happened too quickly.
ivenicezoe's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5