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babyfacedoldsoul's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Easily one of the best books I've read this year. It does infodump a fair bit about apples, especially at the beginning, but I promise it is worth hanging around for. It is so good to see horror done that doesn't focus on sexual assault or other punching down, Cheap shock horror. The body horror was so well done, especially the teeth! (Iykyk). The relationship dynamics between characters was really well done. Even the characters who I could not stand I still wanted to learn more about. The story is so well woven together and I will absolutely be looking up his books on the writing craft.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, and Cannibalism
Minor: Car accident
ladykatka's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Every child eventually learns that their parent isn't perfect, but this book taught Calla one hell of a lesson.
I love a good Faustian bargain and I'm pretty sure this one counts. I haven't read a 600 page book and I really long time and I read this one in 3 days so clearly I enjoyed it. However, it turned from creepy and atmospheric for 75% of the book to instant body horror in the last 25%. So that took me by surprise. I also had to rate this down half a star because Emily was annoying and I didn't like that John had the perfect death and then they brought him back just so that there could be a happy ending for the main characters.
I love a good Faustian bargain and I'm pretty sure this one counts. I haven't read a 600 page book and I really long time and I read this one in 3 days so clearly I enjoyed it. However, it turned from creepy and atmospheric for 75% of the book to instant body horror in the last 25%. So that took me by surprise. I also had to rate this down half a star because Emily was annoying and I didn't like that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting