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iane_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, and Medical content
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Transphobia, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
aksmith92'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
4.5
The book is organized in Acts, and each prologue, the story is framed by Oliver Marks' release from prison after ten years. On the day of his release, he recounts the events leading up to a classmate's death to Detective Colborne, the retiring investigator who never quite believed the official story. Each proceeding Scene then details the fateful year where the classmates and friends fall apart. As the students' final year progresses, their tight-knit group fractures under the weight of secrets and the pressures of the roles they play. The death, *cough cough*, murder of their classmate becomes the catalyst for the unraveling of their lives.
What I Loved: The writing was absolutely beautiful - truly. I was not only immersed but awed. M.L. Rio clearly knew what she was doing. Her portrayal of the Dellecher Conservatory was absorbing, capturing the intensity and passion of young actors devoted to their craft. The characters, each representing a Shakespearean archetype, were vividly drawn and complex. Additionally, the novel's exploration of themes such as ambition, jealousy, loyalty, and artistry's cost was thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
I think what I loved most was M.L. Rio's ability to make almost unlikeable characters real. What do I mean? She made unlikeable characters that you didn't necessarily and automatically like by the end, but unlikeable characters that you still want to read about. It was gripping and interesting; you were curious about what came next, what they would do, and how they would break. I was captured! It takes well-done artistry to make me love a book with characters I wasn't fond of. I've heard that some folks find the pacing of this book slow, but I didn't, and I was enamored the whole way, particularly at the end when we learn the entire truth about the events that occurred at Dellecher.
Why Not 5 Stars? For one, I completely guessed the events that occurred to that fateful classmate. I had thought it the moment his classmates and friends found his body. Therefore, it wasn't as mysterious and surprising ("thriller-like") as I had imagined. However, I didn't mind too much because I still enjoyed reading.
Additionally, Rio's use of Shakespearean dialogue and references no doubt enriched the story - the characters frequently quoted and drew parallels from Shakespeare's plays, adding depth to their interactions and the unfolding drama. It was a precise literary device to enhance the novel, making it atmospheric and underscoring the themes explored's timeless nature. I wholeheartedly understood the point, but here's the thing: I struggle with Shakespeare so much. I knew that going into this book, I didn't like reading Shakespeare, and I didn't like the language and prose. My brain breaks. So, I braced myself. I did a pretty good job for someone who doesn't love Shakespeare, but it still meant I struggled along the way.
With all that said, this novel was clearly compelling and beautifully written, offering a fresh take on the dark academia genre. I know this book will linger in my mind, including that interesting and obscure ending.
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Body shaming and Sexual violence
phantompansy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Suicide, Violence, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug abuse and Mental illness
Minor: Gore and Fire/Fire injury
jelliestars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
helenadominick'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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia
bergha1998'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
3.5
Murder Mystery/Thriller, Dark Academia, LGBTQIA+, Duo Timeline, 1 🔥
“I need language to live, like food—lexemes and morphemes and morsels of meaning nourish me with the knowledge that, yes, there is a word for this. Someone else has felt it before.”
“Anything can feel like punishment if it’s taught poorly.”
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
thefigtree'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
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
redheadorganist'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Homophobia and Fire/Fire injury
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer, Incest, Transphobia, and Fire/Fire injury
Further warning for a student/teacher relationship - never framed as a bad thing as far as I can tell.decie's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Eating disorder, Vomit, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury