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asourceoffiction's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This raised some incredibly complicated questions that I'm still trying to process. It's been hard to articulate my feelings without sounding like I'm writing an essay about morality.
The idea of punishing people based on behaviour rather than law is intriguing, and it is a natural bi-product that the society ends up striving for outright perfection, which can be so damaging. It's a fascinating insight into what makes perfection and how much we should judge people for one "flaw".
When errors in judgment or poor moral decisions carry such weight without legal intervention, the people controlling the system wield immense power; they could twist any act into a flaw to suit their agenda. It's more powerful than the question of legality, which is what makes it so clever as a premise and what makes the Guild so dangerous in the story.
It's so clever that there is no black and white or good versus bad, even as characters wish they were perfect. Celestine begins to meet several advocates for Flawed rights who are fighting the system, but most of them still aren't looking out for the Flawed themselves. There is so much pursuit of one's own agenda, potentially at the expense of what's right, on both sides.
Essay portion over, it's a brilliant story that really makes you think (as you can tell). Celestine goes through so much and it's quite disturbing at times, but she makes a great protagonist as she tries to work out what's right and whether being perfect is actually the ideal. I can't wait to read the next book!
The idea of punishing people based on behaviour rather than law is intriguing, and it is a natural bi-product that the society ends up striving for outright perfection, which can be so damaging. It's a fascinating insight into what makes perfection and how much we should judge people for one "flaw".
When errors in judgment or poor moral decisions carry such weight without legal intervention, the people controlling the system wield immense power; they could twist any act into a flaw to suit their agenda. It's more powerful than the question of legality, which is what makes it so clever as a premise and what makes the Guild so dangerous in the story.
It's so clever that there is no black and white or good versus bad, even as characters wish they were perfect. Celestine begins to meet several advocates for Flawed rights who are fighting the system, but most of them still aren't looking out for the Flawed themselves. There is so much pursuit of one's own agenda, potentially at the expense of what's right, on both sides.
Essay portion over, it's a brilliant story that really makes you think (as you can tell). Celestine goes through so much and it's quite disturbing at times, but she makes a great protagonist as she tries to work out what's right and whether being perfect is actually the ideal. I can't wait to read the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Torture, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
brooke_oconnor's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Police brutality