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softanimal's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.0
A novel way of approaching a murder mystery. I liked some of the characters but I think I prefer to really adore the investigator in mysteries. At first I found myself frustrated by the characters that were not astute enough to pick up on clues I felt were obvious. I put together a lot of the big pieces on my own and then the middle of the book seemed to lag behind. I also struggled with the overt ableism and fatphobia and veiled homophobia in one section of the book and graphic imagining into the mind of a rapist in another section. I do appreciate a mystery story that you can solve from the information provided and that the final missing piece is slotted into place at the very end was satisfying. But the other elements plus some heavy handed soap-boxing made it feel simultaneously icky and trite for me overall. This is one of those books that upon completion I think, "Gee, I really wish this had been written by a woman."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Fatphobia, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, Self harm, and War
ect625's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Weird. Weird, weird, weird.
The concept of the plot is interesting but the execution was really confusing. It would have been better for me if the narrator explained what was going on instead of me stumbling along. There was also an unnecessary plot twist that changed the perspective on everything. If the same murder mystery story was told in a more traditional way, then I probably would have enjoyed it more. Can't wait to talk about it in my book club!
The concept of the plot is interesting but the execution was really confusing. It would have been better for me if the narrator explained what was going on instead of me stumbling along. There was also an unnecessary plot twist that changed the perspective on everything. If the same murder mystery story was told in a more traditional way, then I probably would have enjoyed it more. Can't wait to talk about it in my book club!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child death, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Addiction, Homophobia, and Rape
yeimyaileen's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book is way too long, i liked the last 75 pages but it was really a slough to get through most of the "plot," but the ending makes up for it in the smallest way.
I also think the books contents are pretty unsavory. This book is also super fatphobic, the chapters where ravencourt is the host are almost unreadable. the author really draws out grotesque descriptions of ravencourt , which left bad taste in my mouth, as the internal narrative portrays a fat bodies so disgustingly. also moderate use of the q-slur, which i found was very off putting?? like surely we can stop using the q-slur in FICTION BOOKS that depict the past no? felt intentional.
other than that, i appreciate the concept of the book, but it truly was just too long. i like main character's motivation and commitment topeople being able to change despite their past but... yeah.
I also think the books contents are pretty unsavory. This book is also super fatphobic, the chapters where
other than that, i appreciate the concept of the book, but it truly was just too long. i like main character's motivation and commitment to
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gun violence and Homophobia
Minor: Blood and Murder