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immovabletype's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i happily read it, despite all of my notes starting with a variation on "but then why--"
i didn't have it all figured out from the beginning like i thought i did but it was still fairly predictable, and i think most readers will figure out the big "reveal." i also didn't really buy into the romance. just felt like it moved too fast to be authentic (even taking into account their being teenagers). however, i did quite like the characters, eden felt like a well defined protagonist, and i was invested in her relationships with her friends. i wasn't really confident of the author's ability to tie all of the emotional threads together but it was actually done well and thoroughly. mostly i was really excited to be able to read a ghost story and still sleep at night. i briefly dnf'd when the ghost shenanigans kicked up a notch, because they always make me have to sleep with the lights on for like a month, but then i realized i am way too exhausted always to have any trouble sleeping, so I picked it back up. turns out there's finally a use for parental exhaustion!!
i didn't have it all figured out from the beginning like i thought i did but it was still fairly predictable, and i think most readers will figure out the big "reveal." i also didn't really buy into the romance. just felt like it moved too fast to be authentic (even taking into account their being teenagers). however, i did quite like the characters, eden felt like a well defined protagonist, and i was invested in her relationships with her friends. i wasn't really confident of the author's ability to tie all of the emotional threads together but it was actually done well and thoroughly. mostly i was really excited to be able to read a ghost story and still sleep at night. i briefly dnf'd when the ghost shenanigans kicked up a notch, because they always make me have to sleep with the lights on for like a month, but then i realized i am way too exhausted always to have any trouble sleeping, so I picked it back up. turns out there's finally a use for parental exhaustion!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Murder
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Medical content, and Sexual content
klutzykara's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
I am not sure what to make of this one. As a horror novel, I didn't really pick up on the desires themes for this or what to gain from reading this story. Not creepy, scary, or insightful. It kept my attention, sure, but I can't say I enjoyed it. The trauma included in this narrative did not seem to serve a purpose to me.. it was just disturbing and sad to read about with messaging that felt contradictory or at the very least convoluted.
Also, very disappointing to see fatphobic comments thrown in towards the end of the book. Trying to make an unlikable character does not require this.
Also, very disappointing to see fatphobic comments thrown in towards the end of the book. Trying to make an unlikable character does not require this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Physical abuse
Moderate: Fatphobia and Suicide
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