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frantic_vampire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
2024 reread: This was the first time rereading this book and all I have to say is: damn. This is still such a good book! Neil is an unhinged, mouthy idiot and I still love him. I loved just how bitchy and scared and paranoid he is. I just…this book is so unhinged in the best ways and I still love all the characters. They’re all sweet, if a bit fucked up (okay, a lot fucked up) and I’m obsessed with them. This is still a solid five stars!
Original review: Holy shit! Why did nobody warn me that I would fall in love with this series? I knew I was a goner as soon as I finished the first chapter. I don’t think I’ve fallen for a book series that quickly since I read Wolfsong. There was something so compelling about the story, about Neil as a narrator, about the characters, and about the writing that drew me in and didn’t let go until it absolutely had to.
Neil is the biggest sweetheart! He’s got a serious attitude, he’s a little oblivious, he’s mouthy and argumentative and stupidly brave. I just wanted to give him a hug. I loved how the team just kind of adopted him as their little brother (and as their child) and have decided to give him all the love that he needs. And the monsters! Andrew, Aaron, Nicky, and Kevin. Why do I love these fucked up boys so much 🤦♀️? I just want to give them all the hugs and love. I also really loved the girls and Matt. They are all messed up in some way, but they’re family.
This is how to do a found family story! I just love the way they work together and they protect each other. I can already tell that this will be a series that I come back to again and again. It’s such a wonderful bit of storytelling that’s completely self-indulgent and decadent. This is getting a solid five stars. I would highly recommend this one!
Original review: Holy shit! Why did nobody warn me that I would fall in love with this series? I knew I was a goner as soon as I finished the first chapter. I don’t think I’ve fallen for a book series that quickly since I read Wolfsong. There was something so compelling about the story, about Neil as a narrator, about the characters, and about the writing that drew me in and didn’t let go until it absolutely had to.
Neil is the biggest sweetheart! He’s got a serious attitude, he’s a little oblivious, he’s mouthy and argumentative and stupidly brave. I just wanted to give him a hug. I loved how the team just kind of adopted him as their little brother (and as their child) and have decided to give him all the love that he needs. And the monsters! Andrew, Aaron, Nicky, and Kevin. Why do I love these fucked up boys so much 🤦♀️? I just want to give them all the hugs and love. I also really loved the girls and Matt. They are all messed up in some way, but they’re family.
This is how to do a found family story! I just love the way they work together and they protect each other. I can already tell that this will be a series that I come back to again and again. It’s such a wonderful bit of storytelling that’s completely self-indulgent and decadent. This is getting a solid five stars. I would highly recommend this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Blood, and Toxic friendship