marykatesbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
I’ve been reading a lot of books that center feminine rage lately, and this book had a unique approach to dealing with this topic. Instead of Karen, our main character, demonstrating her feminine rage, characters like Dyann take control on that front and the reader is forced to take a step back watching and waiting with Karen to see what Dyann does with her anger. I will say that the movement between past and present felt a little unnecessary, an epilogue would have given a similar impact in my opinion. I absolutely loved how Greek mythos was tied into the book, it didn’t feel too forced and there were moments where I couldn’t tell if it was an allusion to mythology or if i was just looking too hard. The way that Henstra tied in Catholic imagery was quite interesting to me as well because it reminded me of the Madonna-whore complex, I was actually reminded of this complex very frequently while reading the book. At times it felt like the book was trying to be and do too many things all at the same time, so it left me feeling like I wasn’t getting the complete story by the end despite the cuts between past and present. I primarily wish the readers got closure for the characters, we barely heard anything about them. Overall I quite liked the book, but there were a lot of areas that I would tweak if the book were just for me.
Spoiler
I did like the use of the quote about the blood at the beginning though, in the present when Karen focuses on that snapshot memory we get a glimpse into the road we’re going down with her. Honestly by the time the actual blood scene happened I had completely forgotten about it, so I was JARRED by Bruce’s death. It was so sudden and tragic, which I suppose is the point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Death, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Rape
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, Classism, Eating disorder, Grief, and Blood
fviryshelves's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Rape
placebogirl's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Drug use
Moderate: Death, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
noragjc's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Alcoholism, Death, and Toxic relationship
jodie_'s review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Make sure to check the TW’s if you’re going to read this book as it deals with a lot of sensitive topics.
Overall I enjoyed this book, but the content in which it dealt with meant it took me longer to read than normal. I could only manage a chapter or two at a time without getting mad or irritated with the characters. This book had me asking a lot of questions, and confronting my own beliefs and thoughts surrounding rape and sexual assault. It was a very good book in addressing those issues and raising those questions. It really makes you think and I liked that.
Overall I enjoyed this book, but the content in which it dealt with meant it took me longer to read than normal. I could only manage a chapter or two at a time without getting mad or irritated with the characters. This book had me asking a lot of questions, and confronting my own beliefs and thoughts surrounding rape and sexual assault. It was a very good book in addressing those issues and raising those questions. It really makes you think and I liked that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, and Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, and Drug use
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