dae_as's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Chronic illness, Child abuse, Sexism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual assault and Pedophilia
readmorbookz'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
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Alcoholism, Addiction, Death, Abortion, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Child abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Self harm
teatunesandtales'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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Child death, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infertility, Hate crime, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Blood, Infidelity, and Misogyny
Minor: Abortion and Classism
cowmingo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Rape, Death, and Violence
Minor: Incest
redheadorganist'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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Stalking, Murder, Lesbophobia, Cursing, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Pedophilia and Rape
srivalli's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Abortion, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
rylee2157'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
4.75
" Hidden inside his grandfather’s trunk, the boy remains. And the book remembers. "
The dual timeline is set in 1881 and 1931 and follows two girls. I liked how the magic wasn't the main focus considering it was the premise of the book. The author did a great job of explaining everything as it went along (medicine, tinctures, a succubus etc.) without making it feel like a textbook.
" What the hell kind of name is Bellflower, anyway? "
It was almost a fairytale ending which wasn't bad but I wanted to be emotionally destroyed after reading it. Overall, I think it was a great book, it isn't advertised as a queer book but that is the underlying plot in some areas. It worked well, but again was a bit fairytale.
" “Life’s just one burden after another, till we die. But it’s the happy things—the good things—that make it all worthwhile. Things like kisses.” "
Graphic: Child abuse, Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Abortion, Bullying, Child death, Medical trauma, Rape, Death of parent, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Murder, and Cursing
mhairi_reads'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
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual content, Bullying, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol
Minor: Abortion, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Infertility, and Child abuse
abi224_'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
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Homophobia and Child death
Minor: Child abuse
bookedbymadeline'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? It's complicated
5.0
I was happy to see that the author included trigger warnings in the beginning of the book. Kennedy said she was inspired by the Bell Witch haunting in Tennessee, which is one of my favorite legends! She also included stories from her own family and their history in the region. Her writing clearly shows this as she puts her heart into the setting and folklore descriptions!
I was pulled into the story right away! I loved the characters and plot twists-Each character is strong and has their own voice, I loved all 3 women equally. I also loved the main antagonist! He showed how charming and clever evil can be and how it can be used to manipulate others.
Finally I liked the happy ending, and closure. It’s rare to have a “happily ever after” in a horror novel but I liked that bit of hope in the end!
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Death of parent, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Rape, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Abortion, and Racism