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kelseyr713's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War
generaljinjur's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Medical content, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
keen's review against another edition
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, and Gore
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Confinement and Pregnancy
just_one_more_paige'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Blood, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cannibalism and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse and Pregnancy
wordsareworlds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder, Pregnancy, and Colonisation
faroukk's review against another edition
4.0
The main criticism I've seen of this book, and it is important to note, is that Khaw's prose is overly wordy to the point that it actually gets in the way of the story/understanding what's going on. To give you an idea of how "overly complicated" the vocabulary is: I had to google words I'd never seen before/didn't know the definitions to offhand at least 1-3 times per page as I was reading it (and I would say I have a pretty extensive vocabulary). I was willing to do the work of researching definitions while reading due to the shortness of the book, but I most likely would not have had the stamina to do so if the book were longer.
With that being said, I don't agree with the argument that the "thesaurus fluff" didn't add anything to the story. Khaw clearly has intention behind every single word that they write. The extremely flowery and vibrant prose is often used to beautifully describe some of the most horrific gore you could read. I find this intense contrast, to portray such monstrous and grotesque things so beautifully, to be incredibly evocative and found that it added to the unique atmosphere the book is trying to evoke. Additionally, once you actually google the words, it becomes clear that Khaw did not just randomly decide to use big words. The author has a clear understanding of what these words mean, and constructs sentences expertly to convey incredibly powerful imagery.
I'm also admittedly biased because I also actually really like books that use big words, and I love the opportunity to expand my vocabulary. I believe that reading is just as much about expanding your language/cognition as it is about understanding the thesis/story of the writing. With that belief in mind, I was willing to go on admittedly a very arduous journey of constantly pulling out my phone as I was reading to understand what the hell was going on.
Ultimately, if you're willing to stomach the gore and the purple prose, you will love this book. The tone and atmosphere is incredible, the monstrous psychology of desire within the characters is fascinating, and you'll come out of it having learned a bunch of new words! Like I said I'm biased so if the wordiness is not your thing then take my opinion with a grain of salt, but this was right up my alley and I came out of it inspired to write more myself.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Torture, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was so unique from all my other reads lately, and so much was packed in a lil dark fairy tale novella, woweeee! This follows a serial killer mermaid (but like, idk give her a break okay) and a nonbinary plague doctor in an apocalyptic wasteland.
The prose was lyrical, lush, dreamy, eerie, visceral. I don't really know how to write a review that does this novella justice, but I had a great time. The commentary on what it means to be human, connection, love, and more in a society where those sentiments, concepts, or practices are almost extinct?
I had to look up a lot of words because again, the prose is incredibly flowery and I'm just a mere peasant, but oh wow, the vibes were immaculate!!!!
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
lilinn_aion'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
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
jmtleaf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
e_l_k's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
That doubt was dashed from my mind from the first page onwards.
Khaw has a way with descriptive prose that my English teachers would have envied, coveted, before gagging at how vivid the depictions of viscera and horrible violence are. This is NOT a book for the faint of heart or stomach. But it is a spellbinding tale of rediscovery, self-acceptance, and love in the face of pure, selfish evil.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Miscarriage, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
There is a short story at the very end of the book that presents the events directly precluding the main narrative.