The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
cantfindmybookmark's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Moderate: War and Body horror
woweewhoa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Graphic: Death
Moderate: War, Misogyny, Ableism, Body horror, Animal death, Police brutality, Violence, and Fatphobia
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
hoppskotch'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
4.25
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Body horror, Blood, War, Death, Violence, Vomit, Torture, Murder, Grief, Gore, and Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism, Medical trauma, Alcohol, and Misogyny
laurenbookwitchbitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Car accident, Classism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, War, Body horror, Death, Gore, Grief, Islamophobia, Murder, and Physical abuse
almalotus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Car accident, Blood, War, Death, and Body horror
toffishay'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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Alcoholism, Blood, Alcohol, Body horror, Murder, Police brutality, Violence, War, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, Vomit, Gaslighting, Gore, Medical content, and Stalking
Minor: Excrement and Religious bigotry
tessieferro's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Beautiful, somewhat comical in a twisted way, an unexpected twist on an overused concept. Some parts fell short, but the concept made up for all of it.
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death, War, and Body horror
cviii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Violence, War, Classism, Gun violence, Islamophobia, Mass/school shootings, Colonisation, Death, Dementia, Gore, Grief, Murder, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Xenophobia and Stalking
annemaries_shelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I can see why people think it's brilliant and how it won awards, but for me personally, it's fine as a novel. Nothing too special in my reading experience.
As with the original, the monster is the most interesting character and we never get enough time with him. There are a lot of tangents and other character povs, which may be annoying to some readers. I enjoyed how all the characters added to the sense of place and time and the exploration of the American invasion of Iraq and subsequent impacts of war on society. However, this detracted from the framing device of the monster - an extra 20-30 pages with the monster's perspective would've been great.
My favourite characters were Hadi (his story and resolution made me so sad) and Elishva, whose enduring love for her long lost/dead son was bittersweet. I do wish there were more female characters pov than just Elishva, who was painted as the "crazy old woman." Mahmoud - my least favourite and most common pov - had a really awful perspective on women and "love" (aka obsession) that was delusional, disrespectful, and all too common among many men. He frustrated and engaged me as a character.
Overall, an interesting and thought-provoking read that probably won't stick with me too long. I'm glad I finally read this off my shelves.
Graphic: War, Gore, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Grief, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Death, Torture, Murder, Police brutality, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual harassment
directorpurry's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Vomit, Violence, Death, Police brutality, Murder, and War
Moderate: Animal death and Body horror
Minor: Child death and Mass/school shootings