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cheye13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
There's also a serious lack of followthrough on the science fiction elements. The origins of "The Spill" are never addressed; an internet-based attack only severely impacts the U.S.; people who continue to use screens after "The Spill" end up with some new kind of dementia for some unknown, uninvestigated reason. And I found it hard to believe that "The Spill" would be that destructive; while I don't doubt revealing certain figures' online activity would be an upset, I do believe the majority of people live an average, mediocre life, even on the internet.
That being said, I found the concept of Constellation and the seceded island interesting, and I enjoyed following these women's stories. This is one of those books where the promise of the premise exceeds the execution.
Graphic: Suicide, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Suicide, Violence, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Racism, Xenophobia, and Dementia
The catastrophic event referred to as "the spill" involves everyone's darkest internet secrets coming to public light, which entails a number of crimes and possible triggers mentioned in briefest of detail. While the act of suicide itself is never described in detail, the event is talked about at length.chandlerwood's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Dementia, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Classism, and Deportation
aargot1's review
Graphic: Body shaming, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Physical abuse and Forced institutionalization
cursedepub's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The story balances the large-scale movements of past and future (connecting two settings, 35 years apart, with events in one directly causing events in the other) very well with the personal journeys of the main characters. Everyone in this book is very real. Most of the time they aren't likeable - many times they are petty and small-minded, hypocritical, self-centered, and ruthless (in ugly, unglamorous ways), but I found myself rooting for them all the same.
The book isn't perfect - some of it is over-the-top, sensational, or overwrought, and the ending is a little too sentimental for my taste. I'm not sure I agree with how things were resolved. But I got way more than I bargained for in this, which I was very happy to discover.
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Adult/minor relationship