Scan barcode
bootrat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The blurb for this book really doesn't match the contents of the book imo, it promised a lot but delivers very little.
I hated most of the characters in this book, Abernathy and Polly were the only ones I cared about. Although Flora is the main character in this, I found it very hard to relate to her, to sympathise, or to care about her. She jumps from one bad situation to another, and though that's normal and true of many abused people she left Jordan far too easily for her actions to be believable.
There's so much sexual assault and abuse in this book, and while that's what you'd expect from the characters it was definitely A Choice from the author to make that a central part of this book when the characters could have been evil in a different way instead.
The "romance" between Flora and Minnie is really anything but romantic. They talk of love, but to me their relationship was all about ownership, control, and desperation. Given what we learnt at the end of the book I really hated that this relationship existed at all.
The Knowing isn't explored anywhere near enough for me, and even in the times where it's used it feels very brushed over and unexplained.
If I wasn't reading this for a book club I probably would have DNFd it.
I hated most of the characters in this book, Abernathy and Polly were the only ones I cared about. Although Flora is the main character in this, I found it very hard to relate to her, to sympathise, or to care about her. She jumps from one bad situation to another, and though that's normal and true of many abused people she left Jordan far too easily for her actions to be believable.
There's so much sexual assault and abuse in this book, and while that's what you'd expect from the characters it was definitely A Choice from the author to make that a central part of this book when the characters could have been evil in a different way instead.
The "romance" between Flora and Minnie is really anything but romantic. They talk of love, but to me their relationship was all about ownership, control, and desperation. Given what we learnt at the end of the book I really hated that this relationship existed at all.
The Knowing isn't explored anywhere near enough for me, and even in the times where it's used it feels very brushed over and unexplained.
If I wasn't reading this for a book club I probably would have DNFd it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Pregnancy
jpaulp90's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
I devoured this book. And I would not be surprised if it is my top book of 2024. Hinds' writing is compelling, her world-building vivid and her characters lean, three-dimensional, out of the page, in all of their flawed and twisted depth.
It is dark, and not for the faint-hearted, but avoids gruesomeness and gore.
Even without the sapphic elements this is a gloriously queer book, navigating poverty, exploitation, otherness, self-realization, survival, revenge, precarity and survival.
To my delight and amazement it manages to conclude on a generally positive note, without feeling trite or forced.
It is dark, and not for the faint-hearted, but avoids gruesomeness and gore.
Even without the sapphic elements this is a gloriously queer book, navigating poverty, exploitation, otherness, self-realization, survival, revenge, precarity and survival.
To my delight and amazement it manages to conclude on a generally positive note, without feeling trite or forced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Biphobia, Child death, Homophobia, Racism, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Re: incest:_treatyoshelves_'s review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion
More...