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stephanieanneauthor'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? It's complicated
5.0
Brom's writing style is beautiful, and I felt just about every emotion over the course of this dark tale. And given the multitudes of dualities - man vs nature, woman vs man, pagan vs christian, etc - I wouldn't be surprised if I got more out of a second reading. This might just have to be something I re-read in the future.
Overall, the story reminds me of that meme that's something along the lines of: my favourite horror movie genre is "good for her". I cheered Abitha's every success and felt my heart ache for her with every failure. Good for her!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Gun violence, Racism, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
laurel616's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
At about the 75% mark I put this down and went seeking reviews to see if I wanted to finish it - I knew by then it would not be a good ending, but I wanted at least a satisfying ending. The general consensus was that it would be satisfying, so I powered through.
I am glad I did, I do feel like it was worth getting to the end, but if I had known some of the more gore and graphic scenes that were in this, I would have skipped it. That being said, I did feel like it ended in the best place it could have, and didn't leave me dreading anything.
I read this on an e-reader and based on some of the other reviews I wish I had the physical book to see better the illustrations included for each chapter start (and at the end).
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Sexism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent
swiftpool's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
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
laurenthompson6290's review against another edition
4.25
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment
charlie_woodchipper'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
Feminist and wonderful!
Could have never guess that this was written by a man. The internal turmoil of Abatha in face of misogyny was extremely on point. Would definitely read Brom other books
Minus 0.5 for the *very* bad depiction of indigenous people. It's also quite repetitive sometimes.
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Torture and Religious bigotry
Minor: Animal death and Sexual harassment
kelleykamanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, and Colonisation
Minor: Racism
kaseythefairy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
ilaxaria's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment
bitteralbatross's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment