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cassie7e's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
One star for competent writing, one star for prominent queer rep. If this had been marketed as YA instead of adult, I might have had different expectations.
Maybe I'm just too old for immature teen drama, but I found all the characters offputting and unlikeable. They are terrible to each other and all think they are in the right, or are responsible for all the wrong in the world. I don't think it's unrealistic, especially in how teen girl performers are exploited, but made it very hard for me to root for any of them or really care how their storylines played out.
I also found the "mystery" of Cassidy's depression confusing. It was neither surprising to me that a character in her position would struggle with mental health for years, nor was there ever a conclusive explanation found for her struggles to justify everyone's bizarre interest/confusion about it.
Maybe I'm just too old for immature teen drama, but I found all the characters offputting and unlikeable. They are terrible to each other and all think they are in the right, or are responsible for all the wrong in the world. I don't think it's unrealistic, especially in how teen girl performers are exploited, but made it very hard for me to root for any of them or really care how their storylines played out.
I also found the "mystery" of Cassidy's depression confusing. It was neither surprising to me that a character in her position would struggle with mental health for years, nor was there ever a conclusive explanation found for her struggles to justify everyone's bizarre interest/confusion about it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Racism, Toxic friendship, Grief, Sexism, Body shaming, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
Minor: Drug abuse, Death, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Cancer, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Abortion, Biphobia, Infidelity, and Stalking
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