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bkwrm1317's review
- 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
3.5
Recommend reviewing CWs for folks 💜
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Addiction, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
While not technically abandoned, a main character definitely struggles with feelings of abandonment, hence indicated as a minor CW, but it’s a fairly prominent theme for good sections of the novel, so could be considered moderate.tinyelfarcanist's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's a tale of grief, and how the outside world continues even when one's own universe crumbles down.
It's told in three different POVs: A young man (Arlen) who's presented with a red pill/blue pill decision; the coming of age of a girl (Cassandra) that lived lifetimes in her young years; and a dying girl (Ianthe) who's leaving this world and taking Cassandra's with it.
I found the prose in Ianthe’s chapters a little flowery for my taste, but they are short and sparse. If you like purple prose, you’ll love them, though.
I also had trouble with some of Cassandra's chapters, especially from when she was younger. Her dialogue felt stilted and unlike how a 5yo speaks.
Arlen's chapters were definitely my favourites and the ones that drive the story forward as they take place closer to present events. In a short period, he will discover a lot about his life and experience powerful emotions for the first time.
The author created a fascinating world where the magic resource (shine) encompasses every field as it can heal, heat, conserve, and be a powerful drug. The beautiful description of the scenery made me crave an adaptation.
I was warned of Chorn's books, and this still managed to ambush me. If you're planning to read one of her books, be ready to get your heart ripped out.
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Deadnaming, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Vomit, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Violence, Pregnancy, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
mjwhitlock18's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
- Trans and queer MCs
- Themes of hardship, grief, family
- Lyrical, elegant prose
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Child death and Deadnaming
Deadname mentioned twice. Character who finds out immediately accepts their gender identity wholehearted, no questions askedwordwilderness's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Chronic illness, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, and Murder
Further details on DEADNAMING content warning: