mayze's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Blood, Child death, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Addiction, Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Death, Drug use, Excrement, Gore, Medical trauma, Murder, and Suicide attempt
emmalouisereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Many of these stories were only about 10 pages which I think is just not long enough for me to get invested.
I preferred the stories that were a little creepy, especially the longest story in the book ‘the kids who came back’. I didn’t particularly enjoy the stories that weren’t scary and instead were just absolutely vile (on purpose I’m sure). I had to take breaks between stories as some turned my stomach. So, if that’s what you’re looking for - this is the short story collection for you!
Graphic: Child abuse, Cannibalism, Suicide, Body horror, Blood, Child death, Domestic abuse, Excrement, and Self harm
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexism, Transphobia, Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Pedophilia
morriganivy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
There are a lot of uses of slurs in this book that don't seem to be used for any reason other than to be shocking and dark. It feels at times like the author couldn't figure out how to make her stories harrowing so decided to use the cheap tatic of using slurs to add some edge to it. Which I would say is the same issue with how she approaches poverty and sexual assult, its only there to be shocking.
I think it's a big shame because it also has some beautifully crafted short stories such as Angelita Unearthed and The Well. These stories are better because it doesn't rely on shock value and being offensive, they are simply creepy as hell. It's ashame most of the stories weren't able to do this.
Minor: Sexism, Child abuse, Child death, Body horror, Drug abuse, Ableism, and Sexual assault
avahasstrongopinions's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Murder, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Transphobia, Medical trauma, and Fire/Fire injury
nicnevin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, Abortion, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cannibalism, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, and Vomit
cliffhangerbooks'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Cannibalism, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence