Reviews with content warning for Animal death - The Pisces

DNF @ 52%

I love Melissa Broder and will continue to read/buy anything she puts out. However, I am extremely hit or miss when it comes to smut in books and unfortunately this one is just not working for me.

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ghoulianne's review

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

You know, sometimes you gotta question how fucked up an author is to be able to depict such deplorable characters… Where is this inspiration drawn from? How can our main character, Lucy, have so much sympathy and pity for herself, yet shows ZERO remorse for her actions and the people (and dog) she’s hurt.

The beginning of the book was intermittently relatable, but the remaining 80% was incredibly painful and laborious to trudge through. If you are into characters with less compassion than serial killers, dive right in! I absolutely LOVE the lack of self awareness Lucy exhibits.

”Oh, my mermaid boyfriend wants me to drown for him? No way!! That takes away my autonomy!! But I ABSOLUTELY have every right to repeatedly over-drug a dog that is not mine to the point of FATALITY so I can see my shitty, potentially illusory mermaid boyfriend :))

Yay!! Girlboss slay!!” I’d say grow the fuck up, but I know this character is too self-centered and dimwitted for that to be possible.

Also, what the fuck is up with the numerous disgustingly unsexy sex scenes and ill-placed sexual metaphors??? It’s reminiscent of everything that is wrong with try-hard avant garde writers (take Lena Dunham for example).

Would not recommend unless you want to make your day worse. I have never said this about a book before, but I truly wish I could get the time back that I spent reading this shit show.

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spageddy's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

funny, gross, mostly funny though

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niltic's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Darkly, darkly funny. This book is good, and the humour and delivery felt very fresh/contemporary to me. It's incredible that Broder can weave in so many tones and dark themes and jokes into one tight package. I laughed out loud multiple times, but reader beware that some topics won't be for everyone. I knew very little and found the plot quite surprising, depressing and silly!

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