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rynstagram's review
4.0
I love how this book uses pop culture references to anchor the plot, as well as the names of people and ghosts.
I've always thought that trans-ness and queerness have a lot in common with being a ghost, and this book explores that as well as how trauma in general has a lot in common with ghostliness.
It has kind of a slow start and the pacing could be a bit better, especially with Danny's friendship with Seiji, and the last chapter is kind of a quick summary of how everything wraps up which I don't always love.
But I was surprised by how much depth and heart this book has; I love being caught off guard with a good book turning quickly into a great one!
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Blood, Transphobia, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Grief, Sexual assault, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Violence, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Incest, Alcohol, Confinement, and Gaslighting
Minor: Torture and Terminal illness
elizabethwebb's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Violence, Transphobia, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Deadnaming, Confinement, Child death, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexism, Racism, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Lesbophobia, Incest, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Dysphoria, Death of parent, Death, Bullying, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Abandonment
betweentheshelves's review
- 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
3.5
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This is a seriously heavy book, and it took me a little to get into it. Stay tuned for a full review to come on Thursday!
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Transphobia
Moderate: Medical content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
spearly's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
TW: sexual assault, rape, murder, toxic relationship, sexual abuse, physical abuse, suicide, transphobia, homophobia, dead-naming
This book was nothing like what I was expecting. The blurb made it seem a bit more mysterious, a bit more high energy. But Thomas has written an expressive, impactful story about a trans boy who can never seem to escape his own ghosts, literally and figuratively.
Violet Ghosts was a quick read! It had a handful of complicated characters, characters who have all been traumatized by something, either in life or death. Readers get the wisps of a thrill, a darkness to the book, but unfortunately, it never feels too fully formed. I can't speak on it too much, as I am not a victim of trauma in the ways that Sarah, Patricia, and Dani are, and everyone processes their past in their own ways, but the book felt almost.... passive on the atrocities that these characters face. It focuses more on trying to exorcise evil ghosts than to make any sort of commentary about what our characters are going through. Perhaps this was the point. All I know, is I was left for wanting.
I think this could have made a really great thriller if Thomas had chosen to take it in that direction. As it stands, it felt a bit lacklustre for me.
Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Deadnaming, Alcoholism, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Torture, Suicide, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Medical trauma, Incest, Grief, Gore, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, Child death, Cancer, Bullying, Blood, and Addiction