Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Monstersona by Chloe Spencer

4 reviews

elliott_the_clementine's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• 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

4.5

Let me begin by saying that this book is not what I expected. I thought Monstersona would be kind of like a queer version of the dystopian-style young-adult fiction novels of my childhood; instead, I found an absolutely unhinged horror-romance-thriller that functions as a multilayered story showing the complexities of trauma, grief, and recovery. This book is perfect for fans of Jennifer’s Body (the most bisexual horror film of all time, and specifically mentioned in this book!), the television series Daybreak and The Last of Us, and literally any kind of horror-comedy media. 

Also, there is an amazing dog! His name is Tigger and I love him. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Fatphobia, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Biphobia, Misogyny, and Sexism

kuurankero's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, and Vomit

Moderate: Grief and Sexual harassment

motaki's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.75

I loved the portrayal of grief, it felt painfully real.
I'm so sad I couldn't connect enough with Riley, she's a kid and she's going through a lot but that doesn't make it up for her endless string of bad choices.
I would have loved a second POV, following Aspen around would have been so much better for us readers, such an interesting character, I wanted to know more.
The ending felt too rushed,

both MC's dads are awful, why would anyone choose to go back to live with a manipulative POS of a father? Ri, I don't get you at all

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

empng's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Death of parent