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elderwoodreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Self harm and Antisemitism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Stalking
Minor: Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
ootoom'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
2.5
I liked the story a lot for most of it. Took a turn right at the end that made the ending fall flat, in my opinion.
That said, I think the characters facing intense personal and psychological consequences of being subjected to horrendous media day-in day-out is a type of realistic horror that I typically love.
Couldn't bring myself to rate it higher, couldn't bring myself to rate it lower.
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Self harm and Violence
caseyaboutthroughout's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Violence
woodiefrog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
At various points in reading I started to wonder if we are perhaps taking on the role of the voyeur like in-story interlopers, so eager to hear the gruesome bits of somebody’s life revealed to us (and disappointed when it’s not how we think it’s going, as many other readers here echo in their reviews). And if we are perhaps supposed to be aware of this fact. If the writer was intentional on this point, I applaud her. Clearly it worked. On the other hand, however, the story does feel derailed by the problematic relationship (which I enjoyed; let there be more portrayals of all relationships, toxicity is not exclusive to heteronormativity and we need more affirmation on that in our media), and the premise that starts the intrigue went absolutely nowhere. Overall, a good quick read with unexplored potential.
Did you know some 14% Americans reportedly have sex in their workplace? I did not. But thanks to some stuff in this book I did a very quick and inconclusive research on Google, and now you know too 🙃
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Mental illness, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
jessicavaldez1115's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Genocide, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Antisemitism, and War
will0wh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Self harm and Xenophobia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse
This book has basically every content warning, not particularly graphic but upsetting scenarios are spoken about frequentlytottles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Stalking, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
cateycat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Minor: Gore
messymimms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Also me: reads this book at 3am
A murky book that felt icky at times…but kind of profound, maybe? As someone whose work is centred around supporting people facing trauma and harm, it’s rare to see something representing how much that can affect our “fucked-up-ometer.” And also the camaraderie, trauma-bonding and dare I say, love, that you build with others doing that work.
It’s not all obvious PTSD, it’s shame, fantasising about being a hero, an inability to relax and just be. Being bored whenever things are quiet, fun and safe.
I’m lucky I’ve not had to do a job like this, for shitty pay like this. And with no mental health support. Seeing traumatic content, conspiracies and death day in, day out, has to do something to a person.
On that note, as a domestic abuse professional, it’s also important to see narratives showing that anyone is capable of harm in a relationship. Especially when their own thresholds and boundaries have been distorted.
Overall, it was a quick read but it’s left a mark.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
bibbletje's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Body horror, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, and Sexual harassment