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robotnik's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I picked this one up right after finishing Paper Princess because that one entertained me so much. This one was still good but it wasn't nearly as entertaining as the first one, and was even kind of boring at parts.
And, as much as I was amused by it, I still have to point out how entirely and utterly problematic this book is. There's a whole lot of bullshit going on it, and the most glaring and obvious one is Reed and Ella as a pairing. Reed is a nasty piece of work and probably one of the worst people I have ever read as a love interest. The way he just hounds Ella throughout the beginning of the book is absolutely disgusting and I would want her miles away from him where he's not being a piece of shit all the time.
Not to mention all the shit with Brooke and Delacorte and Jordan. It's just a world full of exceptionally shitty people, that's all.
Again, highly problematic but also kind of entertaining.
And, as much as I was amused by it, I still have to point out how entirely and utterly problematic this book is. There's a whole lot of bullshit going on it, and the most glaring and obvious one is Reed and Ella as a pairing. Reed is a nasty piece of work and probably one of the worst people I have ever read as a love interest. The way he just hounds Ella throughout the beginning of the book is absolutely disgusting and I would want her miles away from him where he's not being a piece of shit all the time.
Not to mention all the shit with Brooke and Delacorte and Jordan. It's just a world full of exceptionally shitty people, that's all.
Again, highly problematic but also kind of entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
ieryka_magic's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Ok. My second review ever. So.
The same problems as the first one, including:
• male dominance and chauvinism and sexism that is NOT rebuffed or called out
• sexual harassment and near-rape
• romanticizing abuse
• no plot whatsoever because who needs that
• a protagonist who is a "not like other girls" type
• alcohol addiction that is totally shrugged off
• DID. I. MENTION. ABUSE. AND. HARASSMENT. YET.
• Sex begin used as an excuse, a bribe, a payment method, AND a redeeming quality (what an amazing trait!!!!!!!!!!! **sarcasm**)
Again. THIS IS NOT OK.
I'm not gonna address the "plot" here because let's face it, it isn't plot, it's just petty drama. Plus, can I just confess that the only time I actually agreed with Ella, in the WHOLE series, was when she said that Reed was acting like a dog, sleeping at her door and shit?
Again, I'm going to say it:
THIS. GODDAMN. BOOK. Mentally scarred me.
The book (and the series) is a literal Wattpad mafia mets the rich bad boy fanfiction and (as someone who used to eat that shit every day) it makes me sick to the core to know that *this* is considered ok to be published.
Honestly? It would've been a *great* idea if it kept the "plot", but turned the message from "this is totally ok and not toxic" to "this behaviour is not ok, but everybody can change. Therapy and other professionals are there for you. And if they don't change, leave them. Also, *CONSENT*??? HELLO??? YOU THERE?"
To think that this book went through so many hands before it was published and IT STILL WENT TROUGHT.
If someone, anyone, girl, boy, non binary, teen, child, adult or elder reads this review, please know that this kind of behaviour is toxic, not ok and dangerous.
The same problems as the first one, including:
• male dominance and chauvinism and sexism that is NOT rebuffed or called out
• sexual harassment and near-rape
• romanticizing abuse
• no plot whatsoever because who needs that
• a protagonist who is a "not like other girls" type
• alcohol addiction that is totally shrugged off
• DID. I. MENTION. ABUSE. AND. HARASSMENT. YET.
• Sex begin used as an excuse, a bribe, a payment method, AND a redeeming quality (what an amazing trait!!!!!!!!!!! **sarcasm**)
Again. THIS IS NOT OK.
I'm not gonna address the "plot" here because let's face it, it isn't plot, it's just petty drama. Plus, can I just confess that the only time I actually agreed with Ella, in the WHOLE series, was when she said that Reed was acting like a dog, sleeping at her door and shit?
Again, I'm going to say it:
THIS. GODDAMN. BOOK. Mentally scarred me.
The book (and the series) is a literal Wattpad mafia mets the rich bad boy fanfiction and (as someone who used to eat that shit every day) it makes me sick to the core to know that *this* is considered ok to be published.
Honestly? It would've been a *great* idea if it kept the "plot", but turned the message from "this is totally ok and not toxic" to "this behaviour is not ok, but everybody can change. Therapy and other professionals are there for you. And if they don't change, leave them. Also, *CONSENT*??? HELLO??? YOU THERE?"
To think that this book went through so many hands before it was published and IT STILL WENT TROUGHT.
If someone, anyone, girl, boy, non binary, teen, child, adult or elder reads this review, please know that this kind of behaviour is toxic, not ok and dangerous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Not worth it