Reviews with content warning for Panic attacks/disorders - The Weight of Blood

This was not only the best book I read this month but one of my new favorite novels of all time. I actually read it twice. The Weight of Blood is a stunning retelling of Stephen King’s Carrie told through the lense of a young black girl in a very racist town. I read this novel and immediately felt this was everything Carrie should’ve been in the first place. The added racial tension gave so much more depth and motivation to each character while keeping the core character archetypes. This book was stunning, emotional, and important. I would recommend The Weight of Blood to literally everyone, though it’s not very graphic I will say it’s painful. I could see why it would be a difficult read for those effected by racism. I actually cried until I thought I was gonna vom near the end but then I still picked this book up and read it a second time this month as well as ordered my own copy

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thewoodlandbookshelf's review

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challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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aformeracceleratedreader's review

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

I freakin loved this! Loved the discourse of being multi-racial. I'm mixed myself and always love seeing/reading stories about mixed identities and the struggles that come with it as most people romanticize/fetishize mixed race identities. Loved the discourse on race relations in modern day as well because people like to believe that there isn't the same racism today as in the past, but many small towns still do have overt racism, not just covert racism, and act like it's nothing.
My heart goes out to Maddy in so many ways. I can't begin to imagine the hurt and difficulties her character had to face.
I wish some characters were spared from death

Spoiler

like Mrs Morgan who seemed like the only teacher who gave a shit about the racism happening

. And I wish

Spoiler

Jules had died. That girl was vile through and through and lied even after losing her arm, her college acceptance, her best friend. F that bitch. Didn't acknowledge any of her wrongdoings to Maddy or any of the other black kids. She is irredeemable

. I liked that the podcast host was put on the spot by his guest host about how he framed his show and how he ignored how insidious racism is and how it could've driven Maddy to do what she did. The ending is quite open, and I'm going to believe Maddy was able to find who she needed to find and could finally live a life she wanted.
There are heavy topics in here so read content/trigger warnings.

Content Warnings

averagesparrow's review

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challenging dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This retelling of Carrie is better than the original. The aspect of racism adds fuel to the fire and the resulting depth is compelling. It’s occasionally challenging. I found myself constantly hoping there would be a “good” white person in the story, forcing me to realize how much I’ve internalized the narrative of the white savior. The story’s ending subverts expectations—

Spoiler

the main antagonist survives, good people die, and there is no justice. But Maddy lives, finds a small measure of peace, and that’s all we can ask. Here’s to the Maddys out there, lost in the world and betrayed by those who should protect you. The life you’ve been given isn’t fair, but you can survive and someday you’ll thrive.

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summer_19_'s review

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.75

I literally read this book in one day because I couldn't put it down. I did have to take tiny breaks sometimes because the scenes depicting racism were a little graphic. However, I think that was the point. I also like how the ending was open and ambiguous. Also everyone in this book was the absolute worst except Kenny, Maddy, and Kali.

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