warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Spoiler
I thought the idea that Alon was raised by the Diwata and acts as His conscience was really intriguing, that a human could be so loved and valued by this ancient god. I also adored Askal, I love little weirdo monster dogs. I knew he had to be something more than a dog bc of how perceptive he was and I was so excited I was right.In regards to the plot/writing, I thought the author did a good job shrouding everything in mystery, even though Alon is our protagonist, they’re kind of an unreliable narrator so it’s like we’re figuring it out with the rest of the crew. While I did like watching Hemlock and the other producers get their comeuppance, I felt that the commentary surrounding their sins was a little heavy-handed but that didn’t bother me too much. I wish the relationship between Alon and Chase was developed a bit more, I wasn’t really convinced that they liked each other than they were both hot and the same age but I am a cranky asexual.
Finally, even though the writing was purposely detached at times, the creepiness and suspense throughout the book was really done. The significance of the balete trees and the mahakiya plants was really interesting to me, and I was definitely weirded out at times. The balete monsters and everything else the Diwata conjured up definitely gave me the same creepy vibes as all the creatures and weirdness of the Upside Down in Stranger Things, so if you liked that element of the show you’ll probably enjoy this book.
This is a creepy yet fun YA horror and I definitely recommend it.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Racism, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
awkwardimagination'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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, and Cursing
Moderate: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Gaslighting, Car accident, Animal death, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Medical content, Infidelity, Colonisation, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, and Suicide
alicelalicon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Animal cruelty, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Domestic abuse
hawkscratch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Cursing
tspice24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Colonisation, and Death
ofbooksandechos'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
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Murder, Animal death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Car accident, and Racism
annelihghh's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
guessgreenleaf's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Racial slurs
Minor: Sexual assault
fbzcab's review
- 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
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Cursing, Death, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Animal death, Car accident, and Colonisation
gingerale06's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Racism