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annaluckylark's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, War, and Classism
beccaand'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny and Kidnapping
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Fatphobia, and Racism
h_elene's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Cultural appropriation
mirandaleighhhh's review against another edition
There is excessive fat shaming (I mean really so much I was rolling my eyes), and the depiction of Arab culture and characterizations were racist. I’m confused that there aren’t more reviews discussing this. I skimmed through the rest to find insane shit about killing cats (apparently Sophie is in this and is a cat) and what appears to be human trafficking of his relatives who bare the brunt of the fat shaming??????????? ….?
I don’t care that this came out in the 90’s, it made me feel gross and honestly angry and it’s not worth my time. And what’s more is the story is so boring! I do not understand why she wrote this at all.
I am going to attempt to read House of Many Ways since I already got it from the library, but it’s really all soured for me now
Moderate: Body shaming, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
lakinglaze's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexism, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Classism
littlefoot10'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
The only redeeming qualities of this book was having Sophie, Howl and others from the previous book within these pages.
I couldn't stand Abdullah. He is just freaking swarmy. He comes off as a sleezeball because of all the positive affirmations he gives to everyone knowing he's being facetious about it the entire time.
The body shaming within this book was on another level. It was utterly ridiculous. The nieces, were brought in TWICE to be made fun of for their size. There are absolutely other ways to say you aren't attracted to someone. But to say that these two are gobbling with fat shaking is not it at all.
I tried to stay in the mind set that this book was written in the early 90's when beauty standards were ALL about being as thin and model like as possible. For a woman writer to be so callous towards these characters seems irresponsible towards young readers.
More body shaming towards the bartender where Abdullah finds the soldier. I just don't understand how every female character from this book is looked down upon if she is not thin and beautiful.
And then the writer moves on to discussing drowning cats because they are evil. I just don't understand. You and write about ANYTHING. This is a fantasy story so you could even say that in this specific culture the citizens believe cats are consorts with witches or djinn or even just see as bad luck. But to literally say it's okay to kick them and drown them if you even lay eyes on a cat is fucking insane to me. No accountability towards the readers that could be young reading these works.
Can you believe that the magic carpet wouldn't take Lettie along with Sophie and Abdullah because she's 'fat' and pregnant. Like it's a fucking magic carpet....
So in this fantasy world, even growing a baby doesn't give you any grace with this author because you have gained weight to grow this person inside of you... so because you're large for whatever reason you're not 'valued as a woman' because you've gained weight. It's fucking mind-blowing.
The only reason this book has two stars is because of the characters from Howls Moving Castle. Otherwise this novel is trash. Not sorry.
Minor: Body shaming
alexklop's review against another edition
Ughh this is so unfortunate. Not only did this book perpetuate harmful stereotypes of Arab and MENA (Middle Eastern / North African) people but as well was excruciatingly boring. After reading Howls Moving Castle I was excited a sense of whimsy and adventure and unfortunately this story was what I got instead…
It felt like the writing style was completely different than the previous book, and after reading other reviews, someone said it perfectly that this book sounded like it was written by a completely different author from book 1.
I plan to attempt book 3 as they don’t seem to connect whatsoever; I’m just hoping it’s better than this book.
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Islamophobia, and Classism
ac_anemon'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? No
3.5
Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia
turtleghost'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? No
3.75
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Xenophobia
pocketspoon's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
I also find it annoying that the Howl's Moving Castle characters all have babies in this book, as if that's the only possible progression of a young woman's life/story.
Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Slavery, and War