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reading_bunny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Writing: 5/5
Characters: 3/5
Plot: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Favourite quote:
"You can justify anything of you do it poetically enough"
- Oliver Marks
Review/my thoughts:
This book took me a long time to read, partially because I went through and looked up every quote they mentioned, but also because the book was dense, the writing wasnt too hard to read through it was just a dense book.
I really enjoyed the story, and I thought it was paced nicely, only revealing informationto the reader as the characters learn about them which lends to the bizzying and disorienting feeling of the narrative.
The characters were all stellar, and Oliver's unreliability as a narrator was at times a little frustrating because I would have loved to learn a little more about the others but Oliver is fairly dismissive of a few if them for whatever his reasons.
The relationship between
Overall, this is not a book that I would re-read but it is one that I would recommend to someone who is very into Shakespeare and/or cannparse it well enough to understand the meaning of the prose, as well as those who are into the Dark academia aesthetic since this book is not only a corner stone of the genre/aesthetic but also because this is a lot like the secret history in its core expects
In the end, an enjoyable experience and I'm glad I gave this book a chance and the time it deserved
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Death, Homophobia, Sexism, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Eating disorder, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
gia0203's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is not very original. It borrows a lot from existing dark academia, obviously The Secret History being the main one. I do think though that the writing style makes up for its originality. It’s so lively and fun! And the characters too are so interesting and so sympathetic. A new favourite of mine for sure. I loved the twist at the end and the rising hysteria and ugh. Stunning.
On another note… the male characters in this book are very complex and well developed and the female characters are very wooden, particularly Meredith. She faces a lot of misogyny and her character revolves so much around the men in her life. Just something to think about in terms of female representation, especially when written as “competition” in relation to queer men. Not quite sure if this book passes the Beschdel test. If not for this, it would be a 5 star for me.
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
branthegremblin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
maddiebennet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I am really inlove with Oliver Alexander and specially James, I can't fr
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
mausekuchen'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
4.75
The drama unfolding, with every act a new aspect spinning the character's world around, the book's telling you they're doomed and you watch the horror unfold more and more.
Do I think that the ending is a shocking plottwist? No.
But the ending is such a great tragedy that I was completely - emotionally and physically - captured, the kind of tragedy I long for. A defeaning applause would resound as the actors depart.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Sexism, Suicide, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia and Vomit
sophie8's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gore, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Grief, and Toxic friendship
The only bit I'd call 'gore' is when they find *you know who's* dead body, but it's pretty graphic! Also, Meredith is slut shamed several times, which I've listed as sexism.oakairi's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content, Blood, and Vomit
rainydayswithbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Blood, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexism
astridaw'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
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism and Suicide
julells's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I hated it.
Go read it.
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism