spinebrreaker's review
Not my vibe, not my style. It was a long shot to begin with but I'm really REALLY not in the mood for this style/genre right now. If this is something you normally like, go for it.
grapie_deltaco's review
4.0
*Thank you, NetGalley, for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
In one of the most unique approaches to the monster story, readers catch a glimpse into secret safe space meetings, government cover ups, and online discourse surrounding the existence of “monsters” as well as how the paranoia and hysteria that comes with it affects marginalized communities as a result of their exposure.
With multiple storylines and characters surrounding various events, overlapping and separating, we jump throughout the general timeline of pre and post-exposure of monsters via police body cam footage.
We explore the secret world of magical creatures living among humans and their growing desire for equity through protest-planning and safe havens. We also see new layers of themes surrounding “passing privilege” and how it applies to these magical “monsters”.
It’s an interesting writing style and pacing that took some getting used to at first, but watching all the ties between storyline and characters be revealed slowly over time was fascinating to see.
CW: references to police brutality, multiple mentions of racially motivated hate crimes, references to domestic violence, death, violence, grief, murder, child abuse, substance abuse and multiple references to recreational drug use + addiction, mentions of transphobia, on-page mass shooting
In one of the most unique approaches to the monster story, readers catch a glimpse into secret safe space meetings, government cover ups, and online discourse surrounding the existence of “monsters” as well as how the paranoia and hysteria that comes with it affects marginalized communities as a result of their exposure.
With multiple storylines and characters surrounding various events, overlapping and separating, we jump throughout the general timeline of pre and post-exposure of monsters via police body cam footage.
We explore the secret world of magical creatures living among humans and their growing desire for equity through protest-planning and safe havens. We also see new layers of themes surrounding “passing privilege” and how it applies to these magical “monsters”.
It’s an interesting writing style and pacing that took some getting used to at first, but watching all the ties between storyline and characters be revealed slowly over time was fascinating to see.
CW: references to police brutality, multiple mentions of racially motivated hate crimes, references to domestic violence, death, violence, grief, murder, child abuse, substance abuse and multiple references to recreational drug use + addiction, mentions of transphobia, on-page mass shooting
tinybibliophile's review
2.0
The premise sounds so up my alley: A woman (Laina) finds out her brother was brutally killed by cops, found naked on the street... and there is a video footage. However what the video showed revealed even more questions. Werewolves are real? This is a multi POV - where you see glimpses of different characters such as Laina, Rebecca, and the child/Dragon. The writing is stellar but I felt the different POVs were very confusing going into. It didn't really give me a chance to warm up the story/characters. Overall, this was not for me. and I ended up DNF.
Thank you to Blackstone and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Blackstone and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
bookchantment's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
melialy1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Based on the summary I was really excited to read this book. But instead I found it confusing and difficult to follow. There are too many characters, too much switching of points of view from chapter to chapter and even from paragraph to paragraph. The first-person narrator’s situation is never adequately explained. Most of the plot, in fact, is never adequately explained.
I powered through this book because I wanted to finish it before the end of the year. If it wasn’t for the timing, I definitely would have DNF’d it.
I powered through this book because I wanted to finish it before the end of the year. If it wasn’t for the timing, I definitely would have DNF’d it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mass/school shootings
daylightlotus's review
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rothcoe's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
creativelifeofliz's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a bit hard to rate. There's a lot of world building that has to happen and it unfolds in a confusing way. I know this is intentional, but I'm not sure I really enjoyed it.