rayreyes's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Death, Ableism, Murder, Body horror, War, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Misogyny, Confinement, Torture, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, and Vomit
mermaidsherbet's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Bullying, Child death, Gore, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Hate crime, Cannibalism, Confinement, Colonisation, Sexual harassment, Excrement, Genocide, Grief, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
jenny_librarian's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
I expected horror, but I didn’t expect that kind of body horror and gore. Some of it is stomach-turning, not for the faint of heart.
The Irish folklore is interesting and very well integrated. It makes you want to learn more about the Sídhe. However, I would have appreciated a glossary or a guide at the end for readers less familiar with the folklore.
One of the unfortunate downsides (and the reason I didn’t round it up to 4 stars) is the amount of misogyny, slut-shaming, ableism and bullying. The incel behaviour of Conor is part of the themes explored (and that ending was delightful), but I’m not sure if those things expressed by other characters was necessary. In any case, it’s something you need to be aware of if you want to read this book.
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Torture, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death, Fatphobia, Islamophobia, Vomit, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide