antimony's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
Spoiler
the chapter where roland was unwound. yeahbut on the other hand. the worldbuilding is rather, well. nonsense. in what world is the compromise between pro- and anti-choice people to kill teenagers....i know it's kind of a grey area in the book of whether they die or not and their memories can pass on to the people who recieve their parts but like. they die. let's be real about it. from a pro-choice standpoint this solves nothing. and neither does storking. it's kind of obvious that this was a man's sci-fi dystopian idea of a compromise over reproductive rights because it doesn't really take into account a big part of abortions -- in our world if you can't take care of a baby you can still give it up for adoption. but if you don't want to be pregnant, you have an abortion. which is not an option in this world, so clearly anti-choice people won. (though like. if they're genuinely anti-choice because they believe life begins at conception rather than just for the sake of controlling women's bodies then they wouldn't agree with this as a solution either. because it's so obvious to the entire real world(me as opposed to the characters in this book) that unwinding is the same thing as dying.
and the thing is that it is still good as a dystopian concept! it's just that the reason unwinding exists is dumb. why couldn't it be like for population control reasons? which is still horrible but like . as worldbuilding makes a lot more sense.
i would have enjoyed this in 6th grade though. which is when i primarily wanted to read it.
Graphic: Medical content, Violence, Sexual harassment, Child death, and Death
Minor: Suicide and War
cozyscones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Child death, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Racism and Abortion
racheldonna14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The characters start as 2D characters of a troubled teen, ward of the state, and religious tithe which allows the world to be the main character for a while. The world of this book feels familiar (because its mostly Ohio and Arizona) but the rules are different and it takes the reader on a journey to see what the USA has become post Second World War. Once the world is concretely established, the characters, and their relationships between one other, begin to blossom and become complex and whole. Each of their motivations and desires are unique leaving no room for confusion as to why they make the choices that they make even if the choice is wrong. The story is gut-wrenching and visceral from beginning to end.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Body horror, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Classism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
sassolinosassoletto's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Trafficking, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Violence, and Medical trauma
heathermarie08's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Death, Abandonment, and Bullying
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Abortion, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
choco_bunbun's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Death, Medical content, Trafficking, and Suicide
Moderate: Abandonment
cursed_sapphire's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Medical content, Child abuse, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Abortion
madisonrhoff's review
- 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? No
3.5
Graphic: Medical content and Gore
Moderate: Child death and Violence
besotted's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, and Medical content
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Violence, Kidnapping, Abortion, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Gore, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Torture, and Confinement
mengzhenreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death and Medical content
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, and Abortion
Minor: Sexual assault