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alexisreads1's review
I have to dnf this book for now. I am not in the right headspace to read this. We jumped from a prologue set during the Salem witch trials to a modern day weight loss meeting. This shift in tone was very abrupt and made it hard for me to even finish that chapter. I loved the prologue and was so excited to continue reading. The first line of the chapter was “I am not the fattest person in the room.” That immediately threw me off. As someone who struggles with disordered eating it was hard for me to keep reading. The entire scene where the mc is at the weight loss meeting was really hard. The motto of the weight loss group the main character attends is “Here today, lighter tomorrow.” For now I have to dnf this book. I’m not going to say I will bever pick it up again because I might. Right now I am just not in the place where I can read this if the tone is going to be similar to this. I feel bad not finishing but I have been trying for a while now and it is just not something I can read right now.
TW: fatphobia, eating disorders, abuse, self image issues
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
TW: fatphobia, eating disorders, abuse, self image issues
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Fatphobia
Moderate: Body shaming and Child abuse
victoriousbookworm's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I really liked this book! We follow 19-year-old Ollie as he goes on an adventure to find his missing friend that, while starting in Boston, leads him to a place that was beyond his expectations and imagination.
The first third of the book was slow for me. While I enjoyed reading about Boston’s North End, I just couldn’t see where it was going. But once it went there, I was absolutely hooked! Discovering Neath alongside Ollie was amazing, watching his shock at the strangeness slowly shift to understanding. I could picture what he was seeing, both the glorious and the grotesque. Neath in itself is just so interesting to me, that I want to know more about the world and how it began.
In my opinion, this one was on those books that gives you random lines and quips early in the story that later make so much sense and help you to unravel the mystery. While I was able to see some twists coming, others completely blindsided me!
If you like fantasy adventures that feel a bit like a mystery as well, I highly recommend you read this book!
I do, however, recommend reading the content warnings. Internalized fatphobia and domestic violence are topics discussed in this book.
<Spoiler> I loved watching Ollie and Tera’s relationship change and develop, as well as Ollie’s relationships with everyone in Neath.
The idea behind Neath, as a place where people who have survived abuse can relocate and where their abusers are held captive, was interesting to me, though I was not expecting this going in.
Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me an ARC of this book
Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me an ARC of this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Eating disorder
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Physical abuse, Blood, Abandonment, and Alcohol
bettysbookishworld's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.0
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the eARC of this book!
I still don't know what to think about this book. On one hand, I really loved the worldbuilding, characters, prologue, twists and turns. However, the self-consciousness about food and talks related to the eating disorder really threw me of and made me feel uncomfortable. In this case, I would appreciate trigger warnings regarding this issue.
I love Ollie and his naive personality. He believed always in the good in everyone and I just love him for that. I think he's a very likeable main character. Terra was the badass female side character the story (and Ollie) needed the most.
The world was set in a very dark underground world that I enjoyed exploring. The whole idea behind, connected to a domestic violence, was very unique and something I've never read before.
Overall, the prologue was the best part of the book although I want to see where the whole story is going so I will give the second book a shot. Not sure if I recommend it l, but if the book interests you, the plot is worth a try and you'll see if it's your cup of tea.
I still don't know what to think about this book. On one hand, I really loved the worldbuilding, characters, prologue, twists and turns. However, the self-consciousness about food and talks related to the eating disorder really threw me of and made me feel uncomfortable. In this case, I would appreciate trigger warnings regarding this issue.
I love Ollie and his naive personality. He believed always in the good in everyone and I just love him for that. I think he's a very likeable main character. Terra was the badass female side character the story (and Ollie) needed the most.
The world was set in a very dark underground world that I enjoyed exploring. The whole idea behind, connected to a domestic violence, was very unique and something I've never read before.
Overall, the prologue was the best part of the book although I want to see where the whole story is going so I will give the second book a shot. Not sure if I recommend it l, but if the book interests you, the plot is worth a try and you'll see if it's your cup of tea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Eating disorder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
audreads100's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
This novel really grew on me as I read and submerged deeper into the world of Neath. It is a classic coming of age story set in a vivid, complicated world.
I love a YA dystopia and I can’t wait to share this with my dad, who is as big of a fan as I am. I cannot wait to revisit Neath and check in with all of its odd characters in the upcoming sequels.
I love a YA dystopia and I can’t wait to share this with my dad, who is as big of a fan as I am. I cannot wait to revisit Neath and check in with all of its odd characters in the upcoming sequels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Eating disorder and Fatphobia
Minor: Child abuse and Violence