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j_e_n_n'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
5.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape
thebookshelfblossom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The audiobook is fantastic. I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy the singular narrator with dual POVs, but I did. This isn’t my normal genre, but I’m glad I branched out. Due does an incredible job immersing you in the surroundings.
If you enjoy historical fiction, and want to try one that is ghosts this spooky season, give this one a try. But PLEASE check all TW. Some really horrific themes are on page.
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
sofipitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Hate crime, Racism, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Pedophilia and Racial slurs
adiajamille's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Murder
keenanmaree's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Blood, Dementia, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
alexseekingspecfic'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: Child death, Racism, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Pedophilia
bmurrscott's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
archaicrobin'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
Steeped in history and her own personal family trauma is a tale of a young boy in the south sent to a horrific “school” for boys and his journey to find freedom with help from the spirits who refuse to leave without justice.
This story is heart wrenching and horrifying, made all the more painful because it’s based on a real place where real boys were tortured, raped, abused and murdered. I highly recommend looking at triggers before starting this one just to be safe, because it’s brutal. While spirits and the supernatural are paramount to this story, the true terror is in the lack of humanity and completely disgusting and historically true displays of racism.
This story was phenomenal but so hard to get through, there were several times I had to put this down and just decompress because it weighed so heavy on my heart. Books like this are some of the most importantly literature in my eyes, especially at a time right now where racism and bigotry are being paraded around as political candidates.
10/10 everyone should read if you can handle it. I will be thinking about Robert, his family, the boys left behind, and the message of this novel for a very long time.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
the_liberalafrican16'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? No
5.0
I have read LOTS of books in my lifetime and not a single one has ever made me cry…until now. What a gut wrenching ride this was. This book made me feel hopeless, horrified and heartbroken. And whilst it’s labelled as a paranormal horror, those aspects aren’t what make it terrifying. No. The reality of the characters’ situation- Robert and Gloria - depicts more horror than any ghosts or paranormal events do. Due is masterful in her storytelling and character development and you really see how our protagonist transforms from a scared little teenage into a traumatised but resolved character who sheds his fears despite the hell he’s been sentenced to endure. I cried multiple times and had to take many moments just to breathe, but I couldn’t put this book down. Considering it’s inspired by the real events at Dozier School for boys (a truly dreadful place), this is an emotive combination of fiction and real history that everyone should read.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
missdeaddoll's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail