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gphemsley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
paduckling's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Blood, Excrement, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Police brutality, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
imaginaryalchemist'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
4.5
One of my favorite aspects is the characters. They all play off each very well in my opinion. It's always entertaining to see Alex banter with everyone, I love how much of a smart ass she is. My favorite character would probably have to be Mercy, I'm glad she got more screen time and development in this novel.
I also enjoyed the murder mystery aspect, just like I did in Ninth House, and how it blended in with the overall story. I do wish the societies had played more of a role, they're very interesting and I'd like to know more about them.
I'll be eagerly awaiting the third installment in the Alex Stern series, and I plan on checking out Leigh Bardugo's YA series. I enjoy her writing style
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
There are frequent mentions of rituals that often involve body horror. Murder is a major plot point. The main character's past, (which involves drugs, an abusive relationship, death, s*xual assault, forced institutionalization, and murder) is frequently brought up.hannahcstocks'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
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Alcohol
jakobmarleymommy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
addie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicide attempt
marinaaurelia'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
4.75
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Vomit
suchsweetsorrow89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
there are some specific things within this that I will spoil below, but all in all, I think this is a really fun read when you're looking to pass the time. in addition, I think the serious moments and reflections in this book are really stunning and you can tell how much leigh as evolved as a writer, philosopher, and world-builder.
- I would have liked to see more of dawes' backstory! while alex's story is special, it's also the story we have heard before. I thought one of the strongest aspects of ninth house was darlington's story, and I would have loved something similar for dawes, especially since she plays a more prominent role.
- on that note on darlington, I wish there were more of him. while I understand that's the 'point', I thought he fell way flatter than usual in his own thoughts and in his interactions with everyone after being rescued. it really did feel like he took more of a secondary/unnecessary role after his rescue, and it left me feeling uncomfortable in the wrong way (almost like it was defamation to all that his character was built up to be in the first book). I'm also not really buying that he would just surrender to alex, to his role, and to lethe as easily as he did.
- the twist was... just fine. maybe it's because I'm older, but I thought that this twist was a bit more expected than the first and just was not a page-turner in the way the other was.
- unfortunately, the ending did not make me really excited for the third book, since this new plotline just felt like a weird grab all while the one for the first book just made more sense? idk idk
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Vomit, Police brutality, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Police brutality
krisalexcole'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, and Suicide attempt
theotheleo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, Racism, Torture, and Blood
Minor: Emotional abuse, Rape, Slavery, Suicide, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Fire/Fire injury