madamenovelist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, Cursing, Blood, Injury/injury detail, Body horror, Gore, Torture, Classism, Death of parent, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Violence, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Rape, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
The death/gore/violence is more graphic than the sexual assault. The assault starts but is cut off immediately (cue violence). So if you are very sensitive, I would say this book is too graphic.iirenecassini's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Injury/injury detail, Misogyny, Violence, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Medical content, Rape, Physical abuse, Death, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Body horror, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Lesbophobia, Gore, Grief, and Sexual violence
Minor: Classism, Outing, Self harm, Torture, Racism, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Cancer, and Cursing
coookiecat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Kidnapping, Outing, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death, Homophobia, Injury/injury detail, Physical abuse, Cursing, Violence, Lesbophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Medical content, Body horror, Confinement, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, and Stalking
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Drug use, Gun violence, Abortion, and Self harm
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Jess is gay, with a (newly) long-distance girlfriend. Their relationship gets strained by the distance, suddenly reduced contact, and Jess's decision to not tell her any of the very weird things that have started happening to her. When she first heard Ah Ma she thought she was going crazy. Once it became clear that the voice was an actual ghost trying to get her to do something to help a god, Jess felt like she was too far in to start saying something now. An additional issue is that her girlfriend is out as gay but Jess isn't out to anyone who might get the information to her family. Now that she's surrounded by her family and her head is filled with Ah Ma, the slices of the day where Jess feels safe to be herself are getting smaller and smaller. It's a very relatable portrayal of a fracturing relationship, frequently on Jess's mind but not taking over the narrative.
The audiobook performer is excellent. I love the ending, it gets things to a new status quo without attempting to fix absolutely everything that's wrong, keeping some of the messiness of life.
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Vomit, Cursing, Injury/injury detail, Death, Racism, Sexual harassment, and Homophobia
Minor: Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Cancer, Ableism, Medical content, and Death of parent
sulinde'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: Blood, Classism, Death, Murder, Kidnapping, Grief, Violence, Sexual violence, and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia and Xenophobia
Minor: Cancer, Cannibalism, and Deportation
bookhoarderbea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Injury/injury detail, Blood, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Violence, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Police brutality
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Jess is a compelling protagonist. Imperfect, determined, brave.
This Malaysian dark fantasy novel has deep roots in history, folklore, spirituality, and queer experiences.
Ah Ma and Jess' unconventional, claustrophobic, dynamic relationship was my favourite aspect of this. She is haunted and possessed by her funny, wise, cutthroat grandmother and they use this time to bond, learn, grow. Unwind the cycle of grief, pain, and trauma.
Graphic: Blood, Outing, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Grief, Injury/injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Self harm and Cancer
Minor: Alcohol
thetainaship's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and Outing
Moderate: Cancer, Racism, and Abandonment
Minor: Car accident
raquelrodrigues091's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Murder, and Kidnapping
charny'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Grief, Blood, Cancer, Death, Rape, Racism, Pregnancy, Murder, Outing, Medical content, Lesbophobia, Kidnapping, and Injury/injury detail