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pythonpages'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
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Animal cruelty
ellornaslibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
However, the story moves so slow and the satisfaction I was hoping to find in this new possible story presented was short-lived as it turned into the usual predictable story. It was at least going to be a 3 or 3.5 star book though until the blatant ableism right at the end. Literal magic in this book, used multiple times throughout to do amazing things, and then we get to this part and just. . . it was insulting and offensive so now it's a 2 star book and I don't know if I'll pick up another book from this author anytime soon.
CW Ableism details:
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting
kelsilitts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and would like to read more of Brom’s work in the future!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Gore, Sexism, and Torture
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
hauntedantiqueshop'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal death, Racism, and Death of parent
It’s a Puritan story, lots of religious talk.solarel's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I’m conflicted a bit. While I enjoyed the main two characters, Abitha and Samson, I found the plot as a whole to be very… typical?
Samson’s story was by far the most interesting plot line. I enjoyed watching him struggle to find who he really is. Is he the monster or the savior? Abitha however, her story felt not just predictable but inevitable. The last third of the book is pure torture porn, and she did not grow as a character. She is merely an instrument of a vengeance arc.
I saw a lot of reviewers say this story was very white. And I think I see what they mean. I don’t know what the author’s religious background is, but this read as a very Christian framed story. People said this was a horror novel. I didn’t find it scary, only sad. People were the villain. Puritan culture was the villain. And yet it still felt like it was still validating their beliefs in the end with what was supposed to be the “horror”.
I don’t know if that makes sense, but “pagan” aspects were not rooted in lore beyond that of Christianity. I guess that’s what made it feel like more of a fantasy masquerade of a pagan story of blurred good and evil.
Stars for ambiance and entertainment only.
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
jessie_cobb'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
4.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
ghoul_girl'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
This book is definitely a new favorite and one I'll definitely recommend to every woman I know.
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood
aubrey_rose'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, and Religious bigotry
cuddlygryphon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Racism, Sexual content, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation
probablytoolate's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail