sherenreads'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
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Gun violence, Death of parent, Rape, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, War, Violence, Torture, Sexual violence, Genocide, Cursing, and Bullying
not_funto'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
4.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Self harm, War, Death, Genocide, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Infertility
bookchatwithbeth'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Violence, Child abuse, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexism, Death, and Suicide attempt
ellawebster's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Genocide, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
holee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Genocide, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Child abuse, War, Torture, Pedophilia, Murder, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Sexism, Cancer, Bullying, Death of parent, and Child death
Minor: Toxic friendship and Infertility
mergwenthur'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
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Death of parent, Grief, Gore, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Rape, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, Mental illness, War, Self harm, Suicide, and Violence
sadiaa's review against another edition
4.75
Moderate: Cursing, Death, War, Grief, Xenophobia, Cancer, Genocide, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Murder, Alcohol, Deportation, Rape, Body shaming, Classism, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Medical content, Blood, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Suicide attempt
yannea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a story that deserves 5 stars but it took me three months to actually finish the book. It's a heavy and painful read but it shouldn't come as a surprise when the cover has words like "devastating" and "haunting" written on it.
There were three things that pulled the rating down for me. First of all, I couldn't understand why the main character had to a writer. It depicted a very naive American dream because a 22-years-old immediately getting a book deal that pays all of his bills sounds too far-fetched. Maybe I missed something but I just couldn't see how it played any part in the plot.
Secondly, the "face" of the evil was a blonde, blue-eyed sociopath who worshipped Hitler and wore dark round sunglasses like John Lennon. His description made him a cliché cardboard character. Him being born a sociopath felt such a simple explanation of why someone would support Taliban. It's like someone told you to draw a human shaped monster and this is what you draw. It would be much harder to explain why normal common people do evil things. And normal common people have done a great deal of horrible things.
Lastly, it's written in first person with main character that is not very likeable so sitting so many hours with his regret and insecurity is very difficult. It's a spiral - you think something is bad and then takes place something that is worse. And then it keeps getting worse.
Also if you are triggered by child abuse and explicit violence, then stay away from this book.
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Pedophilia, and Rape
beancastro'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
4.75
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Self harm, Murder, Death, Torture, Rape, Miscarriage, Infertility, Genocide, Death of parent, and Medical trauma
amabel_xo'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
3.75
Graphic: Violence and Xenophobia
Moderate: Chronic illness, Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Classism, Torture, Sexual violence, Self harm, Physical abuse, Infertility, Cancer, Blood, Racism, Adult/minor relationship, War, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Rape, Slavery, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Misogyny, Grief, Genocide, Sexual assault, Islamophobia, Infidelity, Hate crime, and Alcoholism