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breeoxd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Genocide, Slavery, Xenophobia, Vomit, and Colonisation
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Classism
Minor: Sexual assault
theatrix's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
rorikae'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
3.75
The story centers on the unnamed narrator who is writing a book about the different beasts that inhabit her city. These beasts resemble humans in many ways but have other characteristics like gills or more than human abilities. Each section of the story explores a new beast type and the narrator's encounters with that particular type of beast. As she explores more beast types, she begins to learn more about herself and her past.
Ge presents a look at humanity through the ways that the characters interact with these so-called beasts. The story is colored by the narrator's history and experience with the beasts but this allows the reader to better understand her as she learns more about them. There were certain beasts that I found more interesting than others though I did appreciate how the character's story advanced through the different pieces. I will say that when I read the synopsis I expected more folkloric creatures whereas the beasts are more closely tied to humanity than to animals. The sections that I enjoyed the most were tied to the beasts that I found the most interesting. For example, the section on the flourishing beasts, which are the most unique creatures in the book, was my favorite section. This section also opened up a great deal about the narrator's relationship with her mother and began the process of diving deeper into the narrator's past.
This story is short and a quick read. I am interested in what Ge writes next as I think she utilizes the speculative aspects of the story in unique ways to explore human nature.
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol