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rchltnnswd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: War, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Violence, Sexism, and Torture
saskiahill's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Death, War, Suicide, Murder, Medical content, Islamophobia, Drug use, Drug abuse, Blood, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Torture, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Sexism, Self harm, Misogyny, and Alcoholism
Minor: Pregnancy
hjh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Torture and Violence
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It helps that Pilgrim is a fantastic character with a fascinating backstory, and I immediately wanted to know more about him. We come into the narrative relatively close to the end, and a huge chunk of the book is given to filling in blanks along the way. We learn about Pilgrim and the Saracen (Saracen's history is particularly interesting), and their characters flesh out gradually as their paths converge.
The story is heavily influenced by the wake of 9/11, and a new terrorist threat to US soil. So it's incredibly emotional at times. Everyone in the book has been affected in some way and it certainly ramps up the pressure. The story is filled with secrets, covert ops and a huge range of sub-plots that connect in really intricate ways.
By the time things reach a head I couldn't put it down, and I read 220 pages in a day. It's a great, epic book, but the end in particular goes nuts on the tension and drama. But mostly I was there for the amazing characters.
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, and Death of parent
chloeprowse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Graphic: Islamophobia and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse
hilarylouise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Graphic: Death, War, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Sexual violence
Contains content about terrorism and jihad, with a potentially “black and white” filter - some hints at the school of thought that says Americans are good, the Middle East is bad.quesarah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, and Violence
gaius_bouns's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Violence
emilyjulia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The plot is extremely intense and there was a scene in the first third of the book which I had to skip over because it was way too graphic and disturbing. Also, the characters were written in a slightly sexist way as all the males were much more than their physical appearance, unlike the female characters.
Having said that, it is well-written and immersive, although I probably won't be picking this up for a re-read any time soon.
Make sure to check trigger warnings before reading!!!
Graphic: Violence
fscolli93's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Torture, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia