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macmannwood's review
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Blood, Emotional abuse, Death, Cannibalism, Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Physical abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Grief, Eating disorder, Violence, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Abortion, Pregnancy, Torture, Vomit, and War
twoclaws's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Violence, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Body horror, Abortion, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Sexual assault
bentgaidin's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
'Star Eater' is a story that pleasantly surprised me. I picked it up without knowing really anything about it beyond that it was about women who get magic by eating their mothers; I might have guessed that it would be about family trauma, but I was also amused to discover how much office politics was involved too. A lot of the story revolved around intra-group feuds among the magic wielders who control the city; despite the bloody, revolting source of their power, it's all very civilized - which is to say, full of subtle slights and fake smiles and social pressure to conform 'for your own good.' There's also a metaphorical layer about generational trauma; mothers who fear their lives being consumed by their daughters, who will be raised to fear their daughters in turn; men turned into hungry monsters, exiled but inescapable; and the constant fear of not being able to give enough to be worthy, of being bleed dry by other people's demands. The story is a little wobbly at the end, but I'd still recommend this to fans of dark fantasy (by which I mean, watch out for blood, bodily trauma, abuse and rape) - it's a really compelling and original fantasy and it's worth taking a look at.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, and Gore
Moderate: Abortion, Pregnancy, and Rape
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Miscarriage
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