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emily_am's review
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abortion, Murder, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Cursing, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
I strongly advise to NOT read this book if you feel strongly like the content warnings will disturb you. If the disturbing feeling is what you're looking for, this is an amazing, eye opening book.kissfist'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
4.75
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
racheldonna14's review
- 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
4.0
The characters start as 2D characters of a troubled teen, ward of the state, and religious tithe which allows the world to be the main character for a while. The world of this book feels familiar (because its mostly Ohio and Arizona) but the rules are different and it takes the reader on a journey to see what the USA has become post Second World War. Once the world is concretely established, the characters, and their relationships between one other, begin to blossom and become complex and whole. Each of their motivations and desires are unique leaving no room for confusion as to why they make the choices that they make even if the choice is wrong. The story is gut-wrenching and visceral from beginning to end.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Pregnancy
dark_marble_eyes'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
However, it comes across to me as a work written by someone who is either not invested in the issue or only invested in the way that it's a profitably inflammatory subject.
I cannot speak to the original intentions for the book and its sequels, but the opinion I personally have formed after reading the book, some interviews of the author, and the reactions of others, is that it lacks integrity of belief. I do believe that books written with intentional ambiguity can be helpful and valuable -just not this one.
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: War
in relation to my tag on mass/school shootings- I do not remember there being specific mention of school shootings themselves, but there are people called "clappers" who are essentially suicide bombers in this universe who will go to schools or public areas and clap, activating [nitroglycerin?] in their bloodstream causing combustion and explosion.veraamber's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Child abuse, Abortion, and Abandonment
Minor: Self harm and Mass/school shootings
oliverreeds'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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Abortion, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
_mims_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
Moderate: Confinement and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Trafficking, Car accident, and Abortion
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Blood, Medical trauma, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Mass/school shootings, Abortion, and Pregnancy