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aiplusyou'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
5.0
Moderate: Mental illness
brindlecat's review against another edition
2.75
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, and Medical content
camiandkitread's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Drug abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
the_rabble's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Clara and Xavier are great. Fun relationship there. Side characters are charming. Plot is rock solid engaging. Values are questionable- in a Roald Dahl sort of "kids are cannon fodder" way.
On page one you're dealing with someone with intense anxiety essentially being told she needs to get it together or get a magical lobotomy.
There's a lot of very charming flower magic and potion making, but damn, y'all, this is a rough one for anyone who's had to figure out their flavor of neurodiversity solo or interacted with a powerful system that has big feelings about your feelings. It's all vibes until a hammer drops.
I had a good time with the characters, but can't shake how these 16 year old kids are treated like wizened adults or are completely SOL. If the characters were older, this story would slap but it just seems like a world that's universally cool with child abuse.
[General Spoiler]
[Ending]
This is a fun read because there's a lot of charm, the writing moves and breathes, centers a well-written friendship with progress that feels earned, emotional thoughtfulness, flower references and imagery that'll knock your socks off, and a smattering of queer representation.
But the moment you step back and see the characters as children, shit's dark.
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Abandonment
sophiesmallhands'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
4.25
Moderate: Body horror, Mental illness, and Vomit
Minor: Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Abandonment
susanpevensie'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
4.0
i’m not sure if it was intentional but clara’s magic and how it would spew mean things at her made me think about my own tendency to belittle myself—these core beliefs, the irrational thoughts that i have that would make me believe i’m the worst person who deserves nothing—only if i let them. the idea that clara had to make herself believe in her ability in order to control her erratic magic also reminds me of how sometimes i would have to literally stop my negative thoughts from straying. it’s when she was confident in her ability that her magic works. sounds cliché but i loved it all the same.
there was also this talk about the illness of the heart, the melancholy sickness that i felt was meant to symbolize depression. euphoria’s symptoms being the symptoms of that drug overdose. i loved the scene when clara and xavier worked together on the antidote.
overall, i enjoyed this book. if there was a sequel i’d def read it.
Graphic: Mental illness
mimmixoxo's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Chronic illness, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, and Medical trauma
barbsantos'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
Big kudos for representation and for characters that make mistake but find redemption and forgiveness!
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
kayleenm7'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
Minor: Mental illness and Abandonment
lengelman'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
4.0
Minor: Drug use and Mental illness