juliecukier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Drug use, and Animal death
elizabethng2'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Gore, Blood, Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Animal death, Drug use, Murder, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Mental illness
deadhouseplant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Animal cruelty, and Murder
rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Samantha has been struggling in her MFA program. She has been having a hard time writing and an even harder time connecting with her fellow students. The four other girls in her class have created a strange codependent clique, the 'Bunny's.' Samantha has always felt distant from them and has instead found a singular friend who lives in town but doesn't attend her college, Ava. When the Bunny's suddenly start showing interest in Samantha and invite her to be part of her group, Samantha lets her curiosity lead her. But what she finds out about the group and about herself will have a lasting impact on her.
This is such a strange book. There are aspects that I really appreciate, such as its commentary on academia and MFA programs in particular. Sam is an interesting character though I did feel quite distant from all of the characters in the story. I believe it is intentional, but Samantha's life before college is only hinted at and left me feeling as if I didn't have a full idea of who she was as a character. With the ending, I have a lot of questions and things that don't exactly make sense. I think I follow the gist of what is happening but there is also a lot that feels left open. One of the things that Awad nails is the atmosphere. This story has a creeping dread that is only added to by body horror. I would love to read more about what people think happened in this book because it is quite loose. I think this would make a great book club selection as it would be a lot of fun (and very helpful) to discuss.
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Body horror, Violence, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny, Death, and Grief
lisadakeii'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug use, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Gore
booksandteatime's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Drug use, Mental illness, Death, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Animal death
bronzestars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Classism, Animal death, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Blood and Cursing
Minor: Eating disorder, Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent, and Vomit
lyssylyssy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, and Confinement
scmiller's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Drug use, Murder, Violence, Alcohol, Body horror, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Abandonment, Gore, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Self harm
Moderate: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Cursing, Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Torture, Violence, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Gore, Grief, Murder, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Body horror, Eating disorder, Car accident, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Blood, Drug use, and Kidnapping
Minor: Drug abuse, Car accident, Confinement, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Mental illness
seapotatohowisitalrtaken's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Death of parent, Violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Cursing
Moderate: Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Torture, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use and Rape