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dalypierce's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The characters have so much dimension that sometimes you love them and sometimes you hate them. And the place making is chef's kiss. You get such a clear picture of Pompeii, yet the author doesn't overdo it with description. I could see the houses, streets, bars, theatre, brothel, clothing - everything - so clearly that they will live in my mind like memories of a place visited in real life.
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury
carmentxx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, and Colonisation
starbird3'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? It's complicated
5.0
I found this book hard to put down, and cheered for Amara to reach her goals even while side-eying some of the choices she took to achieve what she wanted. I'm interested to see where her actions lead her in the next book.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Abortion, and Pregnancy
bookswithlauren'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
jadehusdanhicks'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
2.0
Due to the time setting also a lot of different types of slavery.
Think more just not for me
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
em_n_ay'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Fatphobia, Vomit, and Death of parent
amandasbookreview's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
“Either we choose to stay alive, or we give up. And if it’s living we choose, then we do whatever it takes.”
But first. Trigger Warnings: slavery, abuse, sexual assault, rape, child loss, miscarriage, suicide
This is NOT an easy book to read and it is not meant for everyone. Years ago, I went to the natural history museum that had a Pompeii exhibit on display. They displayed the casts of the victims who were killed in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. They also showed some fresco paintings from the Lupanar. So it was fascinating to read about this history that took place almost 2,000 years ago. The author does a fantastic job at bringing these fictional characters to life and making them feel real. The characters all come from different backgrounds and have been forced into horrors that many cannot even imagine. They all have different reactions to these horrors. Some give up, some fight, some push their emotions away… but all their feelings are valid, no matter how different. It shows that there are many ways to react to trauma.
I cannot wait to see what is in store for Amara in the next book. Her world is changing and will no doubt find a way to fight her way to a freedwoman with independence. She has already met some historical figures such as Pliny the Elder. Another interesting thing is that the fatal eruption is only 5 years away. So there is still so much historical content to be explored. In a time where women are considered to be chattel, it is inspiring to watch them come up with their own ways to survive and support each other. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
dreamyreadsss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexism
alexhaydon's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence