archaicrobin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Rape, Blood, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
itsheyfay's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Outing, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Confinement
Minor: Suicide, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Torture, and Vomit
amris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Stalking, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Bullying, Excrement, Sexual content, Drug use, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Suicide, Genocide, Body horror, Cannibalism, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Terminal illness, Vomit, and War
araowl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Vomit, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racism, Gun violence, Outing, Gaslighting, Excrement, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Child abuse
taraaleitz'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This was also the first book that I’ve read that’s labeled as “horror” and maybe that put me off too.
Labeling this less than a 3 because the other books I read that I rated as 3’s just feel a little bit above this for my personal reading preferences. I also feel like it missed the mark for me a bit.
Graphic: Death, Confinement, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, Bullying, Drug use, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit
novi's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
I finished this book in 2 sittings and that's rare lol. The beginning felt just like other books about aspiring writers' life in new york, but the next part I couldn't put this book down.
I was mad and frustrated several times reading this, just like this book wanted me to. There are a lot of "woke" discussion here that felt natural (except the she/her part, idk). I actually predicted the main idea of the ending but the way it played out was beyond my imagination. Like this would be a horror film.
My most favorite part of this book was the relationships between the characters. I think it's done really well with all the complexities of it. My least favorite part was some of the sex parts. I'm not a prude but
Spoiler
the placing of our main protagonist's sex actions just felt so bizarre and selfish to me although i think it's intentional. When Poppy tried to show something important to the mc and then she randomly having sex right then and there like I was so maddddd lol also i think what Wren did to Alex in the past could count as rape, but it was never discussed to that far of territory in this book.Graphic: Confinement and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Rape, Blood, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Gun violence and Vomit
hellokatya'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
3.0
the ending was a good wrap up, got everything it needed in, and left open for a sequel - would i read it? potentially - but it wasn’t good enough to justify reading.
i would only recommend this book if you’re interested in a quick binge read - hardly at that.
was not impressed but the author definitely knew how to leave a good cliffhanger and make you want to keep on.
Graphic: Death and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Child death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
clevelandbookgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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: Gun violence, Gaslighting, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Excrement, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Vomit, Racism, and Confinement
blackcatkai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this was pretty good, especially for a debut, in my opinion. not a huge fan of how some mental illness was handled, especially the use of words like 'psycho' and such, but this was definitely entertaining. a couple twists, one of which I definitely saw coming, complicated characters, weird relationships, drama, and just kept my attention the entire time. I feel the pace was good, and it was well put together. I'd definitely read more from Bartz in the future.
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Body horror, Murder, Blood, Gore, Death, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Racism, Ableism, Sexism, and Grief
kleinekita's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Murder, Toxic relationship, Blood, Sexual content, and Drug use
Moderate: Homophobia and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, and Vomit