chlohss24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Murder, Child abuse, and Child death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence
Minor: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts
absolutechaos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The synopsis of the book made me think it would be a mystery, but it’s more focused on our protagonist, Camille. It’s an examination of her childhood, patterns of self harm, and her fractured family dynamics. As a sucker for stories about generational trauma, I loved this aspect. Camille’s mother is a striking character and I enjoyed her presence in the book.
Honestly the reason this has three stars is that it personally isn’t for me. I didn’t enjoy the repeated descriptions of sexual assault of children. It had its place in the book, but wasn’t part of its core and so at times, it felt like the author was aiming for shock value more than anything. I personally would have preferred the book have a bit more restraint, as it’s throughout the whole book repeatedly and I think less could have been more here. But this isn’t my genre of choice and I get that a lot of people find this element compelling and raw.
Don’t read this book if you’re squeamish and if you have any major triggers, please check if the book has them. It does not hold back.
Graphic: Child abuse, Addiction, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Murder, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Drug use, Grief, and Sexism
nadiaxm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Self harm, Body horror, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Rape
crpettit's review against another edition
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Torture, Incest, Mental illness, Murder, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Homophobia, Infertility, Kidnapping, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
birbmcbirb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Misogyny, Mental illness, Child death, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Self harm, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Bullying
Minor: Classism
loujanae's review against another edition
1.5
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Vomit, Sexual content, Child death, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Murder, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Body shaming
lloch23'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I had an idea of what was going on due to seeing bits of the TV show, but other than that, I was astonished at what was actually happening. It is a quick, unsettling read that does not hold back the description of trauma and its consequences to individuals and to families and how a parent's trauma can be passed down to their kids.
The characters in this are not necessarily likeable. I felt sympathy and pity, but other than Camille, I would say no one was particularly nice or pleasant.
My last note would be this: please, please, if you struggle with self-harm or alcoholism, be careful with this book and maybe reconsider if you want to read it. I do not struggle with self-harm myself and I am not a therapist, but I was shocked at times how graphic it could be. MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING in regards to self-harm in my opinion.
Graphic: Murder, Self harm, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Child death
Minor: Sexism, Medical trauma, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
brandywyne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Self harm, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Murder, Mental illness, Grief, Drug abuse, Bullying, Addiction, Violence, Sexual violence, Child death, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Death, and Alcoholism
inneraman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Child death, Drug abuse, Murder, Addiction, Body horror, Death, Bullying, Child abuse, Mental illness, and Self harm
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Blood, Eating disorder, Misogyny, and Rape
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Animal cruelty, and Pregnancy
mellowreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
big CW obviously for self harm, but also from gross sexualization of minors from a 30 year old woman, one of which is her little sister lmao, and victim blaming + internalized misogyny. The main character is gross.
Graphic: Blood, Self harm, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Vomit, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, and Sexism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Torture, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Incest