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rmcassel's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Death, Murder, and Physical abuse
renreadsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Medical content, Suicide, and Violence
theunderfold'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? Yes
3.0
Honestly, I felt like most of the beginning of the book felt a little boring, even though they were trying to keep me engaged with salacious murders (excuse me, "gleanings" lol). And the end did pick up the pace a bit, but it all felt like it wrapped up a little too conveniently for my taste...your mileage may vary.
Don't think I'll be reading the sequels, but this one was an overall decent read.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Violence, Genocide, Blood, Suicide, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
tushay_shanpayne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
3.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Child death, and Suicide
earthie's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
However, starting the book knowing there are sequels brought the book down a notch for me as it seems to be a common trend of Schusterman - great and unique dystopian universes ending up being dragged on past their expiration dates (pun intended).
Graphic: Physical abuse, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Death, Blood, Violence, Murder, Body horror, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Mass/school shootings, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
magnan1mouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Gore
Minor: Genocide, Child death, Gaslighting, Torture, and Xenophobia
molliford'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
4.5
Graphic: Self harm, Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicide and Suicide attempt
cadybooks'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Abandonment, Religious bigotry, Death, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Grief, Animal death, Suicide, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Gun violence, Blood, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Murder, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Body horror
kaylasbewks'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
4.25
Scythe Farady, Curie and Volta were by far my favourite characters - they were all deeply misunderstood in different ways and I loved exploring their pasts and presents.
The plot/twists were pretty predictable and they didn’t really shock me at all, but I was okay with that because I still enjoyed the story anyway. The world building is fascinating and I can’t wait to learn more. :3
I’m someone who actively avoids romance and I did roll my eyes at the beginning of Rowan and Citras ‘relationship’ but it developed in a way I found both enjoyable and surprising. If you’re a romance hater, read this book regardless. 🫵 I’m hoping it stays this way in the coming books, as I’ll definitely be reading them. :)
Graphic: Medical content, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Death, Child death, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Pedophilia
reka111's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
My greatest wish for humanity is not for peace or comfort or joy. It is that we all still die a little inside every time we witness the death of another. For only the pain of empathy will keep us human. There’s no version of God that can help us if we ever lose that.
I started this book thinking I wouldn't like it anyway, but look at me, I'm here and I love it. There was simply a moment - maybe because of the music playing in my ears - but something clicked and I decided it would be 5 stars, it would be all and in the end I didn't regret it.
Cintra grew very close to my heart — as did Rowan — and it just hurts so much that she had to go through so much to get the peace of mind she deserved. I also loved Madam Curie, honestly, she had a calm personality who respected death and did not use it for punishment.
Their relationship with Rowan was complicated to say the least, but in the end they found each other back, even when everything was doomed to deteriorate. They are not average, so much has to be left and this is not accompanied by ordinary love.
The plot was difficult to start at the beginning because it was necessary to absorb and understand a new world structure, but in the end it sucked me in, the idea itself is simply phenomenal and even believable. The pace may be a bit slow, but maybe it just seemed like it was a long book. I loved it anyway, it was a really creative and exciting read, and I can't wait to continue.
Graphic: Suicide, Death, Murder, Child death, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gore, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Emotional abuse