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the_library_of_mary's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was so surprised by how much I loved this book. Based on reviews I had seen and reading the synopsis I knew I would enjoy it, but I didn't realize how much I would truly love it. I couldn't put it down, having to force myself to stop reading to sleep and go to work haha.
The general gist is " fairy tale victims go to modern day group therapy". It centers around 5 women and each chapters is a different person's story. Each of the stories is interesting as they dive into their traumatic pasts that have given them like " true crime notoriety". Because they are all telling their own traumas there are some holes, where clearly they don't want to speak on it or they are defensive or hyper fixating on things. They are their own unreliable narrators for their own stories, its amazing. You are trying to piece things together, wanting more details. But then you kinda feel guilty because one of the main themes of the book is how these traumas get publicized to the masses, and everyone has opinions on your own personal issues. It's no one else's business, nobody is owed anything.
If you are looking for a book that delves into traumas and how it effects different people and a shorter read, I would highlight recommend. Obviously check trigger warnings before reading.
The Will / Jack chapters were so weirddddd ( in a good way). The detail about the lotion freaked me out every chapters, there was so much description about it. I knew there was something up with Will, but I didn't put together that he would be Jack until Ashlee's chapter.
Ruby, what a disaster. The language describing her and that she uses is so literally disgusting. The matted, soiled, smelly fur coat is so prominent that you feel like you are smelling it. You feel uncomfortable, which is the point. The destructive behaviors makes you want to give her sympathy, but when someone does she bites back.
Raina, I couldn't wait for her chapter. I was so interested in why she was there, and especially after you see she was invited as a mistake. The Little Man relationship I didn't see coming and I was so invested. I was eating those pages up, seeing where it was going to go. I felt like Ashlee, who had her mouth open the entire story in shock haha. Raina seemed so tragic and I think being able to tell someone about this loss she suffered gave her some freedom.
The general gist is " fairy tale victims go to modern day group therapy". It centers around 5 women and each chapters is a different person's story. Each of the stories is interesting as they dive into their traumatic pasts that have given them like " true crime notoriety". Because they are all telling their own traumas there are some holes, where clearly they don't want to speak on it or they are defensive or hyper fixating on things. They are their own unreliable narrators for their own stories, its amazing. You are trying to piece things together, wanting more details. But then you kinda feel guilty because one of the main themes of the book is how these traumas get publicized to the masses, and everyone has opinions on your own personal issues. It's no one else's business, nobody is owed anything.
If you are looking for a book that delves into traumas and how it effects different people and a shorter read, I would highlight recommend. Obviously check trigger warnings before reading.
Ruby, what a disaster. The language describing her and that she uses is so literally disgusting. The matted, soiled, smelly fur coat is so prominent that you feel like you are smelling it. You feel uncomfortable, which is the point. The destructive behaviors makes you want to give her sympathy, but when someone does she bites back.
Raina, I couldn't wait for her chapter. I was so interested in why she was there, and especially after you see she was invited as a mistake. The Little Man relationship I didn't see coming and I was so invested. I was eating those pages up, seeing where it was going to go. I felt like Ashlee, who had her mouth open the entire story in shock haha. Raina seemed so tragic and I think being able to tell someone about this loss she suffered gave her some freedom.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Murder
fluffernutterfriday's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read this book from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., then work up six hours later to finish it. I *inhaled* this book. Brilliance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pedophilia, Blood, Cannibalism, and Murder
amessina3399's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I really enjoyed this book, but it took me a minute to get into it. It’s primarily a collection of stories interrupted by the members of the support group talking to each other. I found the women’s thoughts on each other’s traumas really interesting to read, but the stories were somewhat hit or miss—each relatively different in vibe and genre. Other than that, really fun read! Really awesome feminist perspective on how women get twisted by tragedies, and even worse, but the media. Good if you’re into the kind of “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” x Final Girl vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body horror, Infidelity, Pedophilia, and Kidnapping
Minor: Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
wormywormy's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Takes fairy tales into modern day. Pulled me in with every page!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pedophilia
maddy4prezident's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I picked up this book on an impulse, not knowing what it was really about other than a vague concept (grown up fairy tale women in group therapy), and I was so pleasantly surprised by the story. The way this story unfolds before the readers eyes is exceptionally compelling and so well done. I adored the commentary on how people view and treat women in this world, and I loved the way that this book incorporated the very literal plots from these fairy tales and applied it to otherwise very grounded characters. This book grapples with the fragility of being a woman while showcasing the power of sisterhood and solidarity. Overall, I really this book, and I would recommend it to any and everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
jessereadsthings's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Interesting idea, but just ended up being kind of boring.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
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