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sharon_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
As much as I loved our Gemma, once I hit 75%, the referencing to the panic, her pain, etc got to be a little much and didn’t need to be repeated EVERY chapter. It was never expanded on, and it always the same explanations. I know there is much more at play, but saying the amount of times she wakes up to pain, and it being the same old ordinary pain of everyday life is not needed all the time.
As for the fantasy, the world is super interesting. I was curious to learn more as I started reading, and as we dove deeper, I was interested but also felt like things weren’t being explained? Despite enjoying the side plots, I felt it took away from the main story and where the book was going. In the last 15%, stopping in the middle of our conclusion and final reveal, to have this side plot be brought forward again was a tad bit annoying and I don’t think it was needed since I felt like our characters could have come together as a team without it, and it would have been more powerful?
I’m still excited for the next book, even though I’m not sure where they are going to go from here. But I look forward to reading.
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
magecosplay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Self harm and Violence
Minor: Suicide
cehanzen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Body shaming
katerina_12_k's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide
madz47's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Suicide
issiwerro's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Murder
smithmd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide
kalecake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Body horror, Sexual content, and Blood
luckylulureads'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? Yes
4.75
I’d say the romance was more Insta-lust than Insta-love, and honestly I don’t see anything wrong with that. There’s definitely still some tension or push/pull in the relationship between Gemma and Talan that it seems realistic. Sure, he can kinda lay it on thick, but with reason. ..
Gemma herself is an unlikeable character, and yet I loved her. She deals with chronic pain and crippling anxiety, and as someone who can relate, it can be difficult to find the energy for kindness or generosity when you’re running on fumes like that. She can be moody, irrational, and selfish, but she is also aware of how her actions affect others in the aftermath. She’s a traumatized person who is working on healing and coking to terms with her pain. And I think she has incredible growth over the course of the book. As the author intended, Gemma is absolutely Amy March and Emma Woodhouse coded.
The plot of the book itself is super interesting, and I found myself unable to put the book down once the mysteries really got rolling. I had to know what all of these seemingly disparate threads meant. While the book takes a really wild turn in the second half, it quickly gets back on course, and there are some intense revelations. It puts a lot of the first half into perspective.
I absolutely cannot WAIT for book two, which I have on good authority is definitely Farrin’s book. Which hopefully means more Ryder!
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, and Death of parent
katsmeowbrown'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
2.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt