Scan barcode
athenian_frog'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
1.75
Well written but I think I have to read again bc it was pretty confusing and kinda frustrating this first time around. Just left me feeling a bit depressed lmao so please be warned. I really just wanted better for the main character, man 😭
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, and Pedophilia
Minor: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
(Vaguely detailed) The main character is molested by an older relative as a child at night. The person is:angelsbefore'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Minor: Incest
quinzel_14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Incest, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content
svblvna's review against another edition
3.0
it's a shame the story takes so little from the myth except for names. maybe i'm not familiar enough with this particular myth and i've missed some references but i would've liked a more poignant ending, i was expecting more.
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug use
chimera9's review against another edition
4.75
Moderate: Incest and Sexual assault
penofpossibilities's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Incest, Infidelity, and Sexual assault
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, and War
githgorlfriend's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Incest and Sexual assault
dani794's review against another edition
Graphic: Incest and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse
revolverreads'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? It's complicated
5.0
Loosely based off of the myth of Geryon and the Tenth Labour of Herakles, our Red Bat Boy, Geyron, is introduced to us as a vulnerable and isolated child. A father that checked out long before any permanent memories could be made, a mother as vacant as the fruit bowls that litter their kitchen, and a disgusting monster of a brother, it’s easy to understand why a hot fuck boy at a bus stand that’s telling you to shove your hands under his shirt would seem like a great idea.
Unfortunately, for Geyron, that man happens to be the unfortunately charismatic Herakles. Carson’s novel in verse from that point forward takes us through the melancholic tale of them finding comfort in each other, though it’s quickly obvious that Herakles is a walking red flag.
We would be surprised if anyone read this and was able to sympathize or see Herakles in a light that painted him as anything other than a washed up attention seeker, with no value for Geyron or his feelings. Had Herakles taken a page out of Taylor Swift's book, he’d have known that loving Geyron was like RED, and not the yellow canary he dreams of. It’s one of the first indications that this person that Geyron loves does not even truly know who he is, and that’s the reason for the tear drops on our pages.
Though we do get a break from Dollar Tree Brad Pitt, when he callously ends things with Geyron, and get a glimpse into the life he begins to build around him, as he photographs and travels through Argentina. It’s impossible to be truly free of Herakles, because he managed to finesse Ancash into a sitationship, when we meet him again, as they plan their way to Peru.
Don’t be fooled by how small the book looks, because it successfully packs the punch it needs to. Like all poetry, it leaves you looking for everything left unsaid, it leaves you wanting better for Geyron, despite knowing how his story beyond the pages end. It’s a true work of art, and should not be missed.
Moderate: Incest and Sexual assault
bruhmantics's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Incest and Sexual assault