Scan barcode
exrthalex'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
4.0
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War
book_cave_ghost_girl'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: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Murder, and War
zinelib's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Minor: Rape
birdomens'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
syllareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Minor: Rape and War
paulineerika's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I've seen some other reviews criticize the plot of this book as being too meandering or drifting and I can see that. I think the summary provided is misleading: this isn't a clear story about three women and their lives throughout the end of the Civil War. In fact, I wouldn't really call it a story about three women at all. If anything, it's Rue's story, but it's really more about the community in the aftermath of the Civil War. I think one reviewer had it right: the story felt like a mood, not a plot. It's not one that's easily defined or even described.
Atakora's writing is wonderful and I enjoyed it, but the book itself was not as enjoyable, if that makes sense. I was stressed a lot when reading it, waiting for the worst to happen. And while the axe never quite falls, there is a lot of tragedy and trauma that the characters experience almost casually, like it's just a regular part of life, which is heartbreaking. (Of course, given the setting of the story, I guess that's not so surprising.) The ending is tentatively happy, but not completely satisfying.
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
madeleinebay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, Hate crime, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
lindseydunn'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: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, and Violence
michaelion'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
3.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Confinement, Hate crime, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Dementia, Abortion, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Terminal illness, Medical content, and Stalking
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: Rape, Torture, Violence, and War