rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Samantha has been struggling in her MFA program. She has been having a hard time writing and an even harder time connecting with her fellow students. The four other girls in her class have created a strange codependent clique, the 'Bunny's.' Samantha has always felt distant from them and has instead found a singular friend who lives in town but doesn't attend her college, Ava. When the Bunny's suddenly start showing interest in Samantha and invite her to be part of her group, Samantha lets her curiosity lead her. But what she finds out about the group and about herself will have a lasting impact on her.
This is such a strange book. There are aspects that I really appreciate, such as its commentary on academia and MFA programs in particular. Sam is an interesting character though I did feel quite distant from all of the characters in the story. I believe it is intentional, but Samantha's life before college is only hinted at and left me feeling as if I didn't have a full idea of who she was as a character. With the ending, I have a lot of questions and things that don't exactly make sense. I think I follow the gist of what is happening but there is also a lot that feels left open. One of the things that Awad nails is the atmosphere. This story has a creeping dread that is only added to by body horror. I would love to read more about what people think happened in this book because it is quite loose. I think this would make a great book club selection as it would be a lot of fun (and very helpful) to discuss.
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Body horror, Violence, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny, Death, and Grief
gaylien420's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Violence, Alcohol, Drug use, Gun violence, Gore, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, Car accident, Classism, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Cursing, Ableism, Rape, Bullying, Death, Self harm, Sexual violence, Addiction, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
c_l_ara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Animal death, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Classism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Sexual content
fionamatilda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Toxic friendship, Gore, Body horror, Gaslighting, Murder, Animal death, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Mental illness
meeklovestoread'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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Gore, Drug use, and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny
jneverland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Body shaming, Animal death, Blood, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, and Physical abuse
sylvestra'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
2.0
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Misogyny and Self harm
emjbarnes'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? It's complicated
4.0
Spoiler
(and intertwine)Graphic: Death, Murder, Animal death, Toxic friendship, and Ableism
Moderate: Torture, Suicide attempt, and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent
feenix's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Animal death, Body horror, Death of parent, Drug use, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Murder
Minor: Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Torture, and Misogyny
elwhits'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
4.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Animal cruelty, Murder, and Animal death
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexism, Drug use, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Self harm