cecicastro's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
If you are considering reading this book, don’t. The only redeeming things about it are the first and last chapter (hence my added .5). Although it has some good lines here and there, the writing style is mostly incoherent and random, the story telling is clunky at best. Plot-wise its one of the worst books I’ve ever read.
There were so many plot holes left unanswered. The side characters were flat and used only to portray stupid stereotypes. Apart from David’s mom, every woman in the story is either a horrible person or weak. The men all read the same, giving advice that was so straightforward it was boring and took away from interesting story lines being explored (like David’s OCD). There also seemed to be no point to the story being set during WW2 other than to justify the sexism, fat shaming, and rampant homophobia.
Also important to note: this book is NOT for children. There’s so much gore and violence in it, I really don’t get how it’s supposed to be meant for younger audiences.
There were so many plot holes left unanswered. The side characters were flat and used only to portray stupid stereotypes. Apart from David’s mom, every woman in the story is either a horrible person or weak. The men all read the same, giving advice that was so straightforward it was boring and took away from interesting story lines being explored (like David’s OCD). There also seemed to be no point to the story being set during WW2 other than to justify the sexism, fat shaming, and rampant homophobia.
Also important to note: this book is NOT for children. There’s so much gore and violence in it, I really don’t get how it’s supposed to be meant for younger audiences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Sexism, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Death, and Pedophilia
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