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dazzle_spider_reader_1212's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Addiction, Sexual content, Alcohol, Rape, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Hate crime, and Sexual violence
booksjessreads's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I thought Plett told her stories so vividly and the imagery used to convey thoughts, feelings and behaviours was so striking, graphic and raw. Plett does not hold back on anything - so do bear in mind that there is graphic love/sex, transphobia etc. so do check out the content warnings. In places, I also thought the audio did some of the stories incredible justice - listening to these made it even more immersive. There is absolutely no doubt that Plett is a really talented writer and writes very evocatively.
I think the thing that most let me down was the format with which I listened. Despite the audio working really well in places, I felt really disjointed between all the stories at times and I only really followed what happened with Absolution and the first story or two. Towards the end, I definitely lost the flow of the book and felt a print book would have afforded more clarity to me, personally. I think I would like to re-read this in a different format to see if my thoughts are still the same.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Drug use, Addiction, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
thewoodlandbookshelf's review
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual violence, Mental illness, Grief, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Addiction, Transphobia, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
jayisreading's review against another edition
4.5
I was particularly taken to the short story, “Obsolution,” which was actually broken up into parts and told between other stories, following the protagonist’s arduous journey towards discovering herself. It was a complicated story, too, that didn’t shy away from complicated topics and how this particularly impacts trans women, ranging from gender dysphoria to toxic relationships (platonic and romantic).
Something that needs to be highlighted is that this collection is very heavy on sex content, though it’s not smut. I read all these scenes more like Plett wanting the readers (especially cis readers) to get over the discomfort of trans women having sex and that it’s as much a part of their lives as it is for others. It’s not an educational moment; it’s more a coming-to-terms moment.
Much to think about in this collection, but it’s definitely an impactful one.
Graphic: Transphobia, Dysphoria, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Rape, Suicide, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Addiction, and Homophobia
Minor: Drug use and Death
pizzasprite's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Transphobia, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Deadnaming, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Religious bigotry, and Vomit
teainthelibrary's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Sexual assault and Addiction
boy_topics's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Grief, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, and Vomit
abigailkokitus's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Transphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Grief, and Sexual assault