Scan barcode
azazellos_fang'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
francestea'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? Yes
3.75
This book is very unique, the writing is compelling and the story is truly new! It feels both dystopian and historical, patriarchal sci-fi/fantasy and feminist fairytale retelling.
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
thesapphiccelticbookworm'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content and Pregnancy
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
it's a trip to witness devon evolving from a sheltered, naive child unbeknownst of the world's dangerous reality to a harrowed woman who makes tough choices and willing to do anything to protect her child. how the world and the system oppresses and commodifies her, and how she grows into herself to game and turn against them.
what i like most abt the book is its worldbuilding, how dean takes advantage of the 'eating books' idea oft fantasized by book lovers and turns it into this dark, gripping, yet understandable story propelled by its own rules, culture, politics and machinations that mirror the real world in many aspects. how it could be hiding in plain sight is intriguing as well, and i rly am fascinated yet disturbed reading it. moreover, while the novel can turn very dark w/ its concept of mind eaters, much of the violence and gore feel true and never gratuitous.
it's a lil weird though how the 'present' takes place in such a short period and oft gets overshadowed by devon's more interesting past; only when the crew reaches the ravenscars' manor that things truly pick up in the present. furthermore, a few parts is predictable and the climax feels rushed, cutting off when neither devon nor the reader has had time to fully process things. a sequel seems certain though and im interested to see how things develop w/ devon's hopeful rescue of salem.
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Death of parent
purplepenning's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Infertility, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Acephobia/Arophobia, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Slavery, Trafficking, and Fire/Fire injury