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caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Audiobook narration - FIVE STARS. Seth Numrich definitely earned that Audie Narrator Award. And the surprise of having Stephen King play the grumpy Mr. Bowditch was chef's kiss.
The first 1/3 of the book was a solid four stars. I LOVED the writing, the characters, and the story. And then that big event happened that completely changed this book. This 2/3 of the book is where the actual "fairy tale" happens. For the next 1/3 of the book, we had the mc, 17yo Charlie (narrating as his adult self) doing a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. I was bored. I only made it through this section of the book on the back of the outstanding audiobook narrator. Then Charlie arrived at "the city" and the plot finally started to move along. At the end, all I can say about last 2/3 of the story is that it was ok.
But I can't end this review w/o discussing some issues. First, there was a LOT of lazy writing in this book. Charlie was constantly telling us how the beings/situations/locations in his journey reminded him of xyz fairy tale. If he mentioned Rumpelstiltskin one more time . . . Heck, King even name dropped one of his books! This book also felt like it borrowed (and not well) from Tolkien, The Hunger Games, and other stories. Second, can we talk about the sexist language in this book? The constant use of the words b*tch and c*nt to describe women that were unlikeable. But, OF COURSE, the princess was beautiful . . . and blonde. Which leads me to King/Charlie's love of racist H.P. Lovecraft and the trope in which the saviors/royals and blonde and blue-eyed. Just no.
This book could have been a three, but the lazy writing and overt sexist language and depiction of the women in the story left a sour taste in my mouth.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Blood, Car accident, and Death of parent
poppy_dandybee'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? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Gore, Excrement, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
abbyynormal'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
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Medical content, Car accident, and Death of parent
liksie's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
spoetting's review against another edition
2.75
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent
batchy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Confinement, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
shiftycow1313's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Bullying
anniefizzell's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
lindsaybethlyons's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
itsheyfay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Genocide, and Grief
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and War