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takarakei'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
4.5
A story that weaves together between chapters in the past and present all surrounding the life of Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada, told from her husband's pov and her childhood friend in the past. Very atmospheric and character driven, the plot is really just the mystery of Indigo as a person being unraveled. Super creepy, eerie and unnerving at parts. Like being in a nightmare (but it's not horror persay). I found I really couldn't put it down!
It's rather a hard book to describe, so if the synopsis sounds good I recommend you try it!
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Alcohol
tamara_joy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual content, Blood, and Medical content
mrsjoellebell'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: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Child death, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
melreadsandrecs's review against another edition
1.5
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual assault
kwthor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
bronzel'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
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Pedophilia, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual content
angelmoo'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
3.5
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Bullying, Eating disorder, and Blood
nikileighsmile's review against another edition
4.25
Moderate: Death and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual content
speculativeshelves'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
5.0
Roshani Chokshi creates the perfect unsettling gothic fantasy atmosphere for this story that carefully walks the line of magical wonder and horrific dread. I especially loved that the House of Dreams felt like its own character. The gothic fairytale vibes expertly work to explore themes of abuse and self-identity in fascinating ways.
This story is told in two timelines with two different POVs – the Bridegroom (whose storyline has a slight "gender-bent Bluebeard retelling" feel) and Azure (whose storyline tells the tale of obsessive friendship) – and I enjoyed them both equally. The way they wove together in the end was unexpected but perfect and I loved it.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Eating disorder and Sexual content
gracescanlon'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: Violence, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest and Violence