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angel_kiiss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Out of all the “unhinged” women I’ve read, Edie feels the most real; she’s layered and complex, a nice girl and sometimes horrible person, she’s lovable but that is hidden beneath her antagonistic flaws.
Who hasn’t found themselves in love with someone before they realize it wasn’t ever really love. Who hasn’t been struck by the reality of a person only after you’ve dug yourself six feet for them.
I can’t believe this was a debit novel. Very few books have moved me this much, and even fewer gripped me like this from beginning to end.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Death of parent, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Medical trauma, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death, Mental illness, and Racism
mekaylynn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Eating disorder, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
marjoleinvanderspoel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Abortion
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death and Grief
ashleybeereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Infertility, Mental illness, Suicide, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit and Abortion
nataliegray's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racism, Blood, and Abortion
Minor: Animal death
madelynfrank's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Classism
nightfell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am SHOCKED that this is Leilani's first book and I WILL be reading all her other books.
Luster is a book about a young woman named Edie who is struggling with her life. She gets into a relationship with a middle aged white man and the book goes into detail about the privilege, race, class, gender and many other themes that come as a result of their relationship as a black woman.
I related to this book too much.
The writing is phenomenal. It probably isn't for everyone as it requires the reader to pay rapt attention and digest every single word that is written, but that is why I love it so muc. There were sentences that were paragraphs long, which added to the tone and meanings which were perfectly conveyed. Each subsection was perfection, and after each one I felt the urge to out down the book, and stare at the wall, as each part is so packed with meaning, and intention and precision.
I'm not smart enough to put down in words how this book made me feel, and to unpack the multitude of the layers this book had, all I can say was that it is a one of a kind, and it was executed so well. PLEASE READ IT.
It took me over a month and it is just over 200 pages long. That's because I read it during a time where I was already depressed and at times the book got too real for me. Some times I would read it and have to make a choice to keep reading or prioritise my own happiness and wellbeing. But it communicates the type of depression that holds you tightly and is with you always. I don't know If this is making sense but just read it.
That fact that Raven Leilani sat down and wrote this masterpiece makes me genuinely angry, because how did she write this. More accurately: how can anyone write something this powerful. One of my best books of the year.
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Blood, Car accident, and Abortion
dori39's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abortion
Moderate: Drug use, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Gun violence, Mental illness, and Suicide
megdarcy'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
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Vomit, and Pregnancy
dorsetreader'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
2.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, and Medical content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Abortion, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism