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ariana3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Blood, and Murder
thetiefenator's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Gun violence
gafforama'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
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Classism
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"Love is the path of least resistance, you see? It’s a lot more work to cause harm to someone who mistrusts you, or fears you. Or hates you. Love opens the city gates wide, and allows all manner of horrors right inside."
I don't read a lot of speculative fiction, so this took me a little bit to get into, and at first, I wasn't sure if I was enjoying it at all. Who was this crane, and why was the main character's mother taking him as a lover? Was this normal in this lightly dystopian setting? Did everyone take birds for mates, and why was this crane so particularly cruel?
As the story unraveled, though, I found myself drawn into it so intensely I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was interrupted at the 85% mark of the audiobook and couldn't get back to it soon enough because I had to know how it would end! And gradually, I realized that this wasn't a story that was supposed to make perfect sense, because it isn't a story about the crane. It's a story about generational trauma, and cycles of abuse, and the things that people — especially women — will tolerate in the name of love.
I enjoyed this so much. I can't wait to read more from this author.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
jessicafee86'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
meaghanelizabook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
booksthoughtsandtea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
arayo's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
devynreadsnovels's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Grief
archaicrobin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Everything in this novella was superb for me, the narrator, the writing, the pacing, the plot, I absolutely loved it. I had a personal connection with this one and immediately connected with the 15 year old narrator since I was also the sole provider for my younger siblings when I was 14 and on. Making sure they’re fed, in bed, happy, and cared for. Lying to social workers when they came to visit out of the sheer terror I’d never see these kids that were like my own again. This book touched on a lot of trauma for me, but that’s one of the reasons it struck me in such a powerful way. One of my favorite books of 2023 by far!!
Sometimes Mothers fly away, and we’re left picking up their messes.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment