the_wistful_word_witch'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
Most of the book is spent watching Jared navigate the world as a recovering alcoholic. He manages to land on his feet, getting into college despite all odds, and starts building a life for himself. And you start hoping that things are going to stay good for poor Jared, who really is a sweet kid that got dealt a really shitty hand in life. Until the worst happens and forces him to take on his Trickster mantle. And shit starts speeding back downhill in a matter of mere chapters.
While being incredibly detailed and wildly imaginative, this book left me feeling more exposed and raw than the first one. I can't even imagine where the last book is heading...
Graphic: Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Drug abuse, Blood, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Vomit
Moderate: Bullying, Dementia, Animal death, and Sexual harassment
dcheers'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: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Stalking, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug abuse, Grief, and Terminal illness
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Kidnapping, and Toxic relationship
kyrki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoy this series. I enjoy the slow, slow build for 200 pages that just lead to whiplash for the last 40. I like how much Jared so desperately just wants to not be involved with everything that happens around him and (eventually) to him. I really like Jared as a character, and I think it's because he gives off quiet himbo vibes, and I love himbos in media. He's kind, caring, and just one of the most dense people I've ever read about. Part of it is because he's in denial, but part of it is because he's simply not the brightest like
Spoiler
the first few times he met Shu he thought she was just in zombie makeup he's so dumb i love himI'm looking forward to the next book (which I have to wait for ugh). I'm curious how the pacing is going to differ in the next book, because where we left off was... well, I don't know how much Jared can ignore the supernatural anymore.
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death
kaylamoran's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Cannibalism
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Grief, Racism, and Vomit