alphlia'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? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual content
khakipantsofsex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Suicide, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, and Drug abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Cancer
ashwaar'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: Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Colonisation, Death of parent, Self harm, Classism, Cursing, Abandonment, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
mmulvaney's review against another edition
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Classism, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Sexism, Homophobia, Addiction, Mental illness, Misogyny, Xenophobia, and Abandonment
caterina_1212'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
5.0
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Racism, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Rape
bootsmom3'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
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, War, Misogyny, Racism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Outing
Minor: Abortion, Deportation, and Homophobia
dreareads_'s review against another edition
5.0
Full review to come!
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Drug abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Outing, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Classism, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Xenophobia
avvai'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
3.75
Graphic: Death, Addiction, Abandonment, Rape, Sexism, Racism, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
jamae's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Racism, Sexism, and Classism
kassielovestoread's review against another edition
There are so many heavy themes present in this book, it is deeply reflective and inspires conversations about identity, parental trauma, love, internalized homophobia, sexism and many, many more. I feel this was the strongest part of this book, you can feel the passion and deep understanding of these issues from the way the author writes their characters. It was well done! Olga is a savage, she's the girl everyone wants and wants to be. Olga presents the picture perfect lifestyle: owner of a successful business, is a local celebrity, and is beloved for her taste by her family. She is flawed however, in her understanding of her worth. Which makes her development all too relatable and familiar. I wanted to stick with this book just so I can see if our girl gets a good ending, but I seriously couldn't continue.
The writing style is just the worst. There is nothing quite as demoralizing when you're reading a book and a paragraph is the entire page. Just run on sentences galore. EVERYTHING is over explained. Nothing is left to the imagination and there is far too much information given to the reader. This book felt so dense in terms of wording but almost nothing happens plot wise. To be fair this is a character driven story, but there are way too many moving parts it becomes overwhelming to read.
And, I really, really, REALLY, hated the mother storyline. Maybe it's a cathartic plot line for some, but it was something that filled me with rage. A mother abandoning her children to lead an "underground revolution" for a free Puerto Rico, but mails them letters every so often critiquing endlessly about their lives? Get the fuck out of here. That shit is so infuriating and as much as I loved Olga, shorty was not mad enough for my liking about that.
I feel so bad not liking this book because I feel that it is still such an important read. I can see why people love this book! I wanted to love it too, so badly, and even made it a decent way before I felt like I had to give up now or slowly descend into madness.
Moderate: Addiction, Abandonment, Racism, and Sexism