paperbackparker'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
3.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual violence, Biphobia, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
blue_reader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Xenophobia and Homophobia
ghostlyprince'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Rape, Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual violence, Confinement, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Outing, Biphobia, Bullying, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Alcohol, Body shaming, Racism, and Vomit
Minor: Car accident and Fatphobia
nabecker13'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? No
2.0
Graphic: Classism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Vomit, Biphobia, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Sexual assault
karlisimp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
therainbowshelf'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: Bullying, Body shaming, Rape, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Lesbophobia, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Drug use
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit
Being drugged, blackmailjagodasbooks's review against another edition
5.0
5/5⭐ it was tragically beautiful
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Homophobia
bluberrybooks'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Vomit
Moderate: Biphobia
dalmavatai'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? Yes
5.0
Ciela and Lock are both amazing characters and I felt for them deeply. Their chemistry and banter was so well executed, it was so funny but in a way that felt real and natural. The humor in this book, combined with the interrogation of trauma and healing, as well as a blossoming romance between two characters who have been traumatized in the same way and are outcasts in different but related ways, was wonderfully done and each element balanced out the others. The exploration of the main characters' gender, race, class, sexuality, and size and how they played a role in their marginalization as well as in the impact the assault had on them, was so so well done. For example, Lock blames himself for not being able to resist because he's a guy and men are not supposed to be women's victims. Ciela often talks about how her queer, brown, and soft body is marginalized and not seen as something to be respected by a culture dominated by straight, white, and thin bodies. There's commentary on how her pansexuality gets reduced to her being 'a lesbian' , as well as how both her and Lock are scholarship students and because of their class status, their word against their attackers' would not be believed. All of the commentary is well-integrated into the story and is a crucial part of how it unfolds as opposed to something added to it so that the author would sound 'woke'.
Lock and Ciela's relationship is truly one of the best relationships I've ever read about and Lock is the best male love interest I've ever encountered in a book. His crocheting, him being comfortable in his masculinity, his relationship with his sister, and his open acknowledgement that he can't possibly understand what it's like to be in Ciela's shoes all make him such a wonderful character to read about. Their relationship is tender, beautiful, and raw, and how they find solace in each other is heartwarming to read about. Their banter and chemistry are truly exceptional and a joy to follow.
The only small issue I had was that it got a little repetitive towards the end, especially vis-à-vis the magical realism elements. I didn't really mind the magical realism, but it's definitely something outside my comfort zone and I at times felt that the descriptions of the mirrored glass as well as of the pastries Ciela makes were overwritten and also got quite repetitive towards the end.
Overall, though, this book is truly so so amazing and something that will stay with me for a long time to come.
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Lesbophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
macquincy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Racism, Bullying, and Biphobia