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annabel_winter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Transphobia
bootrat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved the inclusion of a trans woman among her group of friends (despite the mild transphobia that comes from this being written in 2001), as well as the blase attitude towards homosexuality and the sex positive nature of the book.
A great short read and an enjoyable story even though the end is a little sad.
Warnings:
Though the main character is a child by today's standards the book is written with the (however mistaken) understanding that life expectancy at the time was around 40 so the events in the book take the character to almost middle age. Despite knowing Zuleika's age I mostly pictured her as a woman in her 20-30s, living life in the way that somebody of that age would in today's world.
Also, the rape mentioned in the content warnings is in the context of child marriage and the expected "marital duties" that accompany that. It isn't described in detail.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual content, and Slavery
Minor: Colonisation and War
ruby_mae_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Rape
zozierose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
lucys_library's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Blood
lyktestolpe'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Death
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
jennikreads's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Rape, and Toxic friendship
lenin_lover_69's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Violence
Moderate: Rape
lotseliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
bethsbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the poetic writing, but once you learn the author's style, it's simply the most lovely thing. Mix that with the brutal content and graphic scenes of the book, and it's truly something so jarring (in a good way).
I absolutely loved watching the main character explore her sexuality and take ownership of it throughout the novel. The sex scenes were so original, too. The author really knows how to play with language.
I recommend this book, especially for first time novel-in-verse readers. It's incredible.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, and Murder
Minor: Toxic relationship