not_asha01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Classism, Alcohol, Death, Blood, Animal death, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, and Child abuse
kaylamoran's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Everyone seemed so delusional, I had to suspend my disbelief so much throughout.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
shrands's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It did really pick up though - this gave me Crimson Peak/Hill House vibes with added glamour. It's funny because I think if I had more experience with gothic novels I'd love this even more - but even with my limited experience with the genre I enjoyed it.
Spoiler
It really took an extremely dark turn near the end, which is when it finally started to click to me that all of the magic and escapism is just the main characters' delusions in order to escape their own trauma.
Indigo - abandonment and loneliness, a desire for control over death and family that was taken from her when her parents died.
Azure - escapism from her home life with a mother who devalued her and a predatory stepfather
The Bridegroom - escapism from an abusive home and blocking out the trauma of losing his brother.
Another detail I loved is that we never learn the name of The Bridegroom - as detailed in the book, names have power, and give people ownership over you. Also, the story isn't really about him in the end. It's about Indigo and Azure.
Really great subversion from Chokshi as well, because I suspected they had switched places but then was like 'nah that can't be right, people would notice the difference'
The more I think about the book the more I love it tbh
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Child death, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
emilydrojas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
tinybluepixel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Violence, Death, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Grief