lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Slavery, Abandonment, Gun violence, War, Cannibalism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Ableism and Body shaming
c_dmckinney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual harassment, War, Confinement, Abandonment, and Slavery
Minor: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Vomit, and Animal death
I tagged death of parent but her parents are technically alive just slaves trapped in their own mind and body by alien parasites. The parasites do not love their host's teenage daughter and she doesn't know why. Also an animal who is really a teenage girl is threatened with death but does not actually die. A shrew is focused on maggots and dead flesh.phillyhufflepunk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
That being said, I have some problems with this one, starting with the concept of
Spoiler
morphing outfits. It makes no sense, and the argument that this is a book meant for kids does nothing to change that. It is clearly a sloppy throwaway device the adults in charge threw into the story to make it clear that teens could never possibly be nude near each other. Oh no kids, don't worry. Nudity isn't real. Bodies are shameful You'll never have to change your clothes in gym class.Also,
Spoiler
Cassie is somehow 80 pounds? In one of the early chapters, it clearly states that she is fully morphed back into her human form, except that she still has her bird wings and that she could not fly like this because her body is 80 pounds. According to average growth patterns published by the CDC and the Cincinnati Children's hospital, this would only be normal if she was the shortest and skinniest possible for her age group, which is very unlikely.And finally...
Marco is the most ignorant boy on the planet when it comes to girls.
Spoiler
In one chapter, he calls ugly girls skanks. In another, he berates Rachel, calling her dumb for using her morph to protect herself from getting kidnapped and raped. Rachel is left feeling guilty and ashamed.I have always loved the series, even as a kid, but this one was never my favorite.
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexism, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Toxic friendship
ulogil'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
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Slavery, and War
Minor: Self harm
chicafrom3's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Body horror and Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment