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charcoalpencils'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? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Pedophilia and Violence
Minor: Rape
evelphysicist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Rape, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Trafficking
sphinx_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
With so many characters and happenings in this book, I tried my best to think what is the overarching theme. The best I have is that everyone has their own circumstances, some way grimmer than others. And while the lives of the characters here tangle in a mess, they end up the cause and effect, the reason for someone's pain, etc. - all of their actions stem from how they were taught around them and how their lives had been. They try to live comfortably or move forward in a way they know. For example,
Lacke buries all what-could-bes through alcohol until it was too late.
Tommy, probably not over his father's death, can't agree with his mother having a new relationship so he thinks of rebelling or stripping himself away from the household instead.
Virginia... deserved so much more.
The list can go on, and the characters makes so much sense because of their narratives and backstories presented. (Except for Hakan, lol. Fuck him.)
My heart goes out for many characters but mostly for Eli and Oskar. Two kids who only want to find connection and play, just like any kids should without having to be bullied. Without having to be chasen around. With all the "flaws" the people see around them, they don't see it as such. They appreciate each other which is wholesome af in a very dark story as this.
There were so many parts that were difficult to read. I abhor the bullying (and all unspeakable things. iykyk) but what made me stay with the story are truly the characters. The characters, man. The characters.
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape
mmefish's review against another edition
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Rape
caityq's review against another edition
5.0
It is a fresh, visceral take on a classic theme, and I really enjoyed every moment - even if some were really uncomfortable.
This book was essentially about vampires - but in a way that didn't feel well-trodden.
First of all, Oskar is one of the main voices of the book and at first you think you know which way the book is going. However, Oskar's initial 'bloodlust' at his bullies doesn't stand up to actual murder.
He falls for (mostly, he is 12/13 and fickle) Eli, who's gender is pretty flexible. You learn - through psychic kissing which sounds odd to type but really worked in the context of the book - the torture and means through which Eli became not only a vampire, but as they are - without any genitals.
Through this semi-romantic plot, there's Hakan - an older man who whilst he knows he finds younger boys attractive, thinks he's hit the jackpot with Eli - body of a 12 year old, mine of a 200 year old. When Hakan becomes infected it seems to take differently. Not in his heart - but I believe in his penis (which sounds weird but works in the context of the book, yet again).
There's a visceral gore - from Oskar's piss-ball to Hakan's vampiric erection - that I really enjoyed, even though it was uncomfortable at times.
Graphic: Bullying, Pedophilia, and Rape
maddireads13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
kingsamong'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail
vermethys's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Pedophilia and Murder
Minor: Rape and Suicide
gringolet'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
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
jbcrue'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail