Scan barcode
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
“We are the same species. We're all human. It's not that people cannot understand me; it's simply that most of them don't want to”
This young adult historical gothic horror blew me away. This is the second book I've read by AJW and he has not disappointed me thus far. I will continue to read *anything* he writes, even a grocery list!
Anyway, this story is about 16-year-old Silas Bell, who is our autistic, trans, Violet-eyed protagonist and is struggling to be himself in a world that continues to other him and violently tries to force him into boxes that he simply does not fit into! He is diagnosed with "Veil sickness," which allegedly "spirals women into madness," and Silas is sent to the Braxton’s Sanitorium and Finishing School to prepare him to become an obedient wife. However, since Silas is a medium, he begins to meet the spirits of the students who disappeared at this school, and uncovers the dreadful past that his teachers are hiding.
I listened to the audiobook on Libby and I really enjoyed the narration. Sometimes, the narrator would almost whisper, which felt eerie and gave me chills, but that is not a bad thing. It really added to my reading experience, because there were so many moments in which Silas was deeply uncomfortable and viscerally wincing through the pain others put him through.
The autism representation was a breath of fresh air to find in a historical setting; Silas recognized how his "differences" made others uncomfortable because they didn't understand him. However, he ruminated on why he behaved certain ways and it was not only linked to his stress or frustration; he would also make gestures when he was elated or simply feeling enthusiastic! I appreciated this self-examination and the way Silas tried to normalize and destigmatize it, even if it was only how he thought about it to himself. It's hard to be perceived, but it's such an empowering feeling to boldly know something so fervently inside you.
AJW wrote the scene of Silas' epiphany about Daphne's trans identity so beautifully. It's a subdued moment, yet both Daphne and Silas knew that it was life-changing that they found each other. I rooted for them and this is the kind of stuff that makes you believe in a universal magic that will always allow you to find your chosen family. Their romantic subplot was full of acceptance, empathy, and compassion; if that isn't swoon-worthy, I don't know what is.
Quotations that stood out to me:
“Am I in love with her already? Perhaps. Or maybe I’m just confusing love with comfort, and I’m okay with that. Is there any difference between love and a safe harbor from a storm? Should there be? There are a lot of different kinds of love, and though I may not be able to tell them apart from each other, I appreciate all of them the same.”
“It should be noted that I do not define my manhood through my love of women. There are lots of men who do so: their hunger to dominate feminine things, their power over their wives and daughters, are the building blocks of their maleness. That is not me. Yes, I could love a man if I ever found one who accepts me as I am, and I’ve dreamed of being so lucky—but I love women too. I love women as men are expected to, but the way only one who has ever experienced womanhood can.”
“When something terrible happens—or at least, when you learn about it—it feels like it should affect the entire world. It feels like something should change. But it doesn’t.”
“To separate how you are seen from who you are sometimes feels nigh impossible.”
“They will take being beneath powerful men if it means they are placed above everyone else.”
see content warnings below!
Graphic: Sexism, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Medical trauma, Homophobia, Medical content, Torture, Gaslighting, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Rape, Murder, and Violence
holasoyrohan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Heed the content warnings, they're legit.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Deadnaming, Violence, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, Forced institutionalization, Torture, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Blood, Rape, Medical content, and Sexual assault
everesto'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: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Gore, Ableism, Blood, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Transphobia, Death, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Dysphoria, Medical content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Self harm and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, and Miscarriage
kase's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Confinement, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Death, Murder, Blood, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Abortion, Medical trauma, Dysphoria, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Body horror, Self harm, Transphobia, Ableism, and Adult/minor relationship
kingsteph's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Abortion, Body shaming, Deadnaming, Gaslighting, Grief, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Transphobia, Cursing, Vomit, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Medical trauma, Hate crime, Ableism, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Dysphoria, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Self harm, Physical abuse, and Medical content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Rape, and Mental illness
arlingtonchamberofgay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Miscarriage, Grief, Pregnancy, Rape, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Physical abuse, and Torture
elfyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Forced institutionalization, Dysphoria, Gore, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Murder, Sexism, Body horror, Medical content, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Violence
clockworkchild's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Transphobia, Medical trauma, Gore, Deadnaming, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Bullying, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Child death, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Rape and Vomit
lizziaha's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, Dysphoria, Sexism, Confinement, Abortion, Blood, Body horror, Deadnaming, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Medical content, Murder, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Classism, Homophobia, Grief, Lesbophobia, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death
shysheepys'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
This book was so intriguing that I sat and read it over a 5 hour span and did not want to move. Though I did break it up, I stayed up late two days in a row to finish it. I absolutely did not want to put it down. It is, however, not for the faint of heart.
Honestly, I don't know how this is considered a YA novel other than the characters being in their teens. I'm an avid horror reader, and this book made me cringe so hard every other scene. In a good way? Its beautifully written and the story and plot are top tier, too. Even some twists I didn't see coming.
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Abortion, Dysphoria, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Pregnancy