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tealstarlight'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? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed the world the Belles live in. The vivid and frothy descriptions are a great contrast to the disturbing side of life in the kingdom. There are charming elements in the relatively simple ways people live in this world: the unique postal system, the floating lanterns that can be changed according to mood/ occasion, and the bustling, almost Dickensian marketplaces.
The Belles' magic takes the place of plastic surgery. I wasn't expecting the vivid descriptions of the painful magical procedures, but they highlight the kingdom's obsession with beauty.
Random favorite thing that enchanted me in this book? The absolutely adorable idea of teacup animals!
Graphic: Slavery, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Bullying, Grief, Mental illness, Medical trauma, and Sexual assault
I thought "The Belles" would be a simple sweet story with a bit of mystery. It was a pleasant surprise to see the story unfold to be more interesting than expected. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.ablakley's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Vomit, Murder, and Sexual assault
Minor: Body shaming
dustghosts's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
+ Through the narrator and her sisters’ POV, a refreshing celebration of diverse forms and interpretations of beauty
+ Representation/inclusion that feels natural and casual, only occasionally heavy-handed
+ Visceral and gripping descriptions, dialogue that feels True, a protag who is naive, charming, and morally challenged time and again.
- Pacing can be a bit strange— slow and meandering at the beginning, too fast near the end. Some of the protagonists largest concerns feel underaddressed as a result, and some situations (ie: her being
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Animal cruelty, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Body shaming, Torture, Toxic friendship, Murder, Physical abuse, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Fatphobia
bendersreads'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
4.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Torture, Vomit, and Toxic relationship
nytephoenyx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Torture
line's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Body horror
Minor: Vomit
wyrmbergsabrina's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Vomit, and Violence