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kat42's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Body horror
blindfox7's review
Graphic: Gun violence, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Murder
gellyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Gun violence, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
writingcaia's review
- 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
3.75
In truth, this could have been told as a normal YA coming out and coming of age contemporary story, with a bit more trauma maybe, but the author chose well to explore the themes of abuse, neglect, bullying, school shootings (gun violence), racism, mental health and coming out as gay with a horror story.
The book shifts between two POVs, that of Sawyer, the white, blond, gay boy, abused by all, with a severe psychosis bordering on sociopathy and the main character’s POV, Jake, one of the only Black students at a white Christian school where his brother is the known bad boy all girls fall for and he’s the loser spaced out most of the time because he’s a medium, thus is haunted at all times by ghosts and more, which is how he meets Sawyer.
Give it a go, it’s definitely worth it if the themes interest you and you like funky visual, supernatural horror.
Graphic: Bullying, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Blood, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Vomit, and Abandonment
Minor: Racial slurs
directorpurry's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Incest and Toxic friendship
elysianbud'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
4.0
Great characters and good plot. Love to see assholes get their due. Author sets atmosphere brilliantly.
(Also the cover for this is gorgeous!)
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
asinglebird's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
pineapple_queen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Mass/school shootings
discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
One thing I think the author did really well, was depict the parallel between Jake’s helplessness as he’s being stalked and harassed by a paranormal entity; and his helplessness as he endures the racism of his fellow classmates/teachers in his all-white school. In both cases he’s being worn down over time, knowing there’s no one who hears him or would believe him.
I struggled a little in the second half as the action became more focused within the astral plane and the fighting is done between spirits wielding ectoplasmic smoke, etc., just because the language gets sort-of nebulous and I had trouble tracking what was going on. But I don’t think that’s a weakness of the writing so much as a limitation of my imagination.
This is a great spooky season read, but definitely check trigger warnings as this story heavily features depictions and discussions of gun violence and school shootings.
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Racial slurs and Car accident
abitofcourage's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Rape