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sighclopss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
mgmaliska's review against another edition
5.0
A disturbing, yet impressive and important, story of how patriarchal society harms us all.
The lead character is trans and there is queer rep, including lesbian and another trans character.
The story isn’t a happy one. A young neurodivergent trans man destined to become one of the world’s foremost medical minds is basically imprisoned at a twisted, abusive, and haunted finishing school for young women.
I especially loved the depiction of anxiety and social pressures as a rabbit on the chest and to read (listen) to a book with a ND main character.
I’m not sure I would ever read this again because it is dark and bloody and so very messed up but the book of absolutely prolific in its subtle yet biting analysis of society and the how men destroy the world.
One of my favorite lines was: Why is that when men hide their faces they become monsters instead of angels?
The lead character is trans and there is queer rep, including lesbian and another trans character.
The story isn’t a happy one. A young neurodivergent trans man destined to become one of the world’s foremost medical minds is basically imprisoned at a twisted, abusive, and haunted finishing school for young women.
I especially loved the depiction of anxiety and social pressures as a rabbit on the chest and to read (listen) to a book with a ND main character.
I’m not sure I would ever read this again because it is dark and bloody and so very messed up but the book of absolutely prolific in its subtle yet biting analysis of society and the how men destroy the world.
One of my favorite lines was: Why is that when men hide their faces they become monsters instead of angels?
theojayne's review against another edition
4.0
i don't have much to say beyond that I loved this book, probably more than I loved White's debut novel. If you're looking for t4t plus horror, check this one out!
gefthetalkingmongoose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this book so much I don't even have the words for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Death, Transphobia, Medical content, and Abortion
Moderate: Self harm
kathy_thielman's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lilys_librqry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
This is one for the queer, autistic and mentally ill among us (me) and I loved it SO MUCH🫡😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Transphobia
Moderate: Ableism and Homophobia
venatrix's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was a lot, but it was wonderfully written. We follow an autism coded, trans man in Victorian England as he is committed to a special finishing school/sanitarium for sick women. Women whose sickness includes lesbianism or being feminists. They are committed to be made into the "perfect wife" because of their value as breeding stock in their ability to interact with the dead - an ability that is denied to them due to their sex.
It was brutal, but glimmers of hope were found in unexpected places to keep us, and the MC, going.
It was brutal, but glimmers of hope were found in unexpected places to keep us, and the MC, going.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Deadnaming, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Transphobia, Medical content, and Abortion
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Medical trauma
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
The MC does think things as a surgeon, very anatomical and descriptive - even when there may be no injury related to the thought processes.deepfriedaries's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
5.0