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angievansprang's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
This book was totally unexpected. It was a bit weird to get into at first, but once I grasped the concept, I couldn’t put it down. I was very invested in all of the characters and I had to know what would come of them. Wren felt all too familiar to me by her structured ways of living and proclivity for perfectionism. I will be thinking about this book and it’s many lessons for quite some time to come. Overall, I think it ended on a hopeful note and I LOVE when a book that tackles deeper, darker themes is able to accomplish that. I would love to read more from Emily Habeck.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
cait's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Infidelity, Grief, Pregnancy, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Physical abuse, Self harm, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, and Terminal illness
fkshg8465's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hard to say how I feel about this book. I think the closest I can get to it is that it’s bittersweet. Love lost, family lost, family created, love found, metamorphoses, letting go, hope - these are all the things the book is about. Dispute its many unresolved issues, the ending still provides a kind of unexpected closure. The only open question for me is whether or why or how Wren is a common denominator no one in the book considers. Three people in her life, two of whom she loved dearly, end up with illnesses that are presumably extremely rare. Yet she knows three such people. So what is she doing to be on the receiving end of that so many times?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Child death, Grief, and Physical abuse
queenkath32's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Body horror, and Adult/minor relationship
luverbyrd's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Death, Pregnancy, Abortion, Terminal illness, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
jacquelynrovene's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
cosmun's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I was reading the synopsis of this book, I laughed out loud. A husband turning into a great white shark??? It sounded equally ridiculous as it was intriguing. Shortly into the story, I knew this was going to be a five star read for me. Not only is the prose gorgeous, poetic and creative, the story was absolutely beautiful. Though having a loved one turn into a great white shark is not relatable….many have experienced watching a loved one through illness. This book expertly captures the feeling of grief, guilt, and longing for more time. I absolutely loved this. Though the story is mainly about Wren and Lewis, there are several love stories throughout, friendships, parent/child relationships, romantic relationships. All of them were a joy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Chronic illness
astoriareader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
SYNOPSIS:
- Wren & Lewis are in their first (and last) year of marriage.
- The world is the same as ours, except people can inherit genetic mutations where they change from human to animal. Shortly after getting married, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis. He will retain most of his consciousness, memories, and intellect, but his physical body will gradually turn into a great white shark.
- Wren’s mother, Angela, similarly experienced an animal mutation diagnosis, and her story is woven throughout as well.
MY THOUGHTS
- A beautifully written book. It is hard to describe, but it truly is art.
- The writing structure is written different than other books I’ve read, but in a really good way. I thought it was quite clever to include play/scene sections throughout the book.
- Frankly, I am shocked I ended up loving this book. I thought it wouldn’t be for me, but it ended up being one of the most unique, oddly beautiful books I’ve ever read.
- As far out as the book may sound, it is an emotional ride, and it explores being a caretaker, finding peace, transformation, family, love, loss, grief, & how relationships grow and change.
- I am shocked this is Habeck’s debut novel, as it is the best writing I’ve ever read. I was so moved by her writing.
- What an imaginative, unique plot.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Beautifully written. The book is truly a work of art. Although the plot may sound silly, trust me: you don’t want to miss this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief and Medical content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Animal death, Death, and Pregnancy
thecottoncandyunicorn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think you will either love or hate this book. If super short chapters and just going with the bizarre (people turning into animals is not uncommon) isn’t your thing, I might skip it. Luckily, I love weird books with short chapters, and l loved it. The book is divided into three parts, and I loved how each part gave further insight into the characters. It was really beautiful and moving (and I absolutely love the cover). The one part that I wasn’t a fan of was the epilogue.
I HATE the woman has to have a kid at the end of the book trope, and I was disappointed this book fell into that. It kind of makes sense with the story, but I really wanted more. It definitely felt like the author was unsure how to give Wren a happy ending, and just thought I know! I’ll give her a kid!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
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