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jesssicawho's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was impressed by how well written some of the characters were. They felt multi-layered and empathetic, even if (some) were despicable. The ending was touching.
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
pamel_au_miel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Death and Violence
takecoverbooksptbo's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Child abuse, Suicide, Confinement, Murder, Blood, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Self harm, and Grief
meggles801's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Oh my god.
Just read it.
Check your TWs first, but then,
JUST READ IT.
Are you still reading this review? Why?!
Go read Boys in the Valley!
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Graphic: Blood, Death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Confinement, Murder, and Child death
killmoore_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Violence, Religious bigotry, Torture, and Vomit
kirrarrik's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Minor: Confinement, Blood, Death, Child death, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Gun violence, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Physical abuse, Murder, and Death of parent
purstiltski's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
"His smile wavers, and for a moment he thinks the boy's face flickers, becomes indistinct, as if covered in gray mold. But then the face returns, and he's just a boy again. Or what was one."
Graphic: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Bullying
kkalicky94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Murder, and Suicide
kermit_the_wrong's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Violence, Blood, Grief, Gore, Murder, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Torture
discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
But in all seriousness this was really good. Despite the “Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies” description, I didn’t find it necessarily frightening as much as I just found it really… upsetting? Tragic? The relationship between Father Andrew and Peter was so endearing, but I also appreciated how Andrew’s character—objectively the best of the priests—is not perfect (I mean, he’s complicit in child abuse).
Peter’s internal struggle the entire book with whether or not to become a priest himself serves as such a good sort-of backdrop to the rest of the story and his role in it as well. I just really liked Peter’s character, and even though I’m not a person of faith, I found his story really moving.
If you like horror that explores religious themes, this is right up your alley.
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Child death, Confinement, Gore, Murder, Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, and Chronic illness