Scan barcode
hsteel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Child death, and Violence
leila_reads_too_much's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Alcohol, Child death, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Violence, Child abuse, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Vomit
rachiebears's review against another edition
I was already having issues with the way some of the side characters were talking about the main female character.
I stopped reading once I read the N word with the hard R. As there are no trigger warnings on or in the book I was unprepared. The shock of the N word led me to investigate the author, why she felt like she could use the word, and the other contents of the book.
Unfortunately, I discovered this author is white. I cannot continue to read a book that continues to use black and brown bodies and voices to depict a fictional romance that contains real trauma that has happened, is currently happening, and will continue to happen.
Living through MMIW2S+ and SA traumas through my own family I cannot stand by and finish this book knowing that she is profiting off black and brown traumas and stories.
But to those who read it and liked it, I hope it is a catalyst for you to fight racism, social injustices, and inequity.
Just know that this book isn’t not fantasy for many black and brown people and communities, this book is an on going reality. Sundown towns still exist. Racism still exist. White patriarch and misogyny are heavily prevalent and affect us all negatively.
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Racism, Child abuse, and Violence
thekristinashow'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
5.0
I decided to read Out of Darkness as my February pick focused on reading 12 banned books this year, and I’m literally sitting here sobbing and speechless.
This book is set in the 1930s in East Texas, and the storyline grapples with a lot of deep topics: racism, forbidden love, sexual abuse, physical abuse, school explosion, and more.
I was completely enamored by the more lovable main characters - Wash, Naomi, Cari, Beto, and the nice supporting characters. But if you’re looking for a warm and fuzzy story, this ain’t it.
However, if you’re looking for a powerful, layered story that sheds a light on some deep topics - this is it. Just grab your tissue box too.
TW: all the trigger warnings…
Graphic: Cursing, Physical abuse, Rape, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Death, Racial slurs, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, Racism, and Sexual violence
ceruleanblue42's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Rape, Child death, Death of parent, Xenophobia, and Racism
zombiezami's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Rape, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Toxic friendship, Racism, Grief, Gore, Blood, Incest, Sexual assault, Torture, Addiction, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Cursing, Sexism, Death of parent, Violence, Vomit, Hate crime, Child death, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, and Child abuse
Moderate: Pregnancy, Bullying, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Slavery
obsidianchainsaw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Death of parent, Gun violence, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
jenni_whitfield's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol
drosenquist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual assault
Violence and racism that may be triggering for someitzcooper's review against another edition
Graphic: Death, Rape, Pedophilia, Bullying, and Sexual assault