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Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
I think this would be a really fun aspect for the author to play off of (Jess solving ~mysteries~).
The main gripe I have other than lack of diversity is the protest portion of the story. It doesn’t add anything interesting to the story nor is it necessary (imo).
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Almost every character was white and it FELT like it. However, it feels realistic for white people to stick together and but think of others in a post-apocalyptic world. I did have a lot of issues though with the two non-white characters essentially not being developed and only used by the main characters. Sure they grow together but ugh.
The entire book could have been condensed but the ending came way too quickly. The pacing felt off and made it hard to read, especially with every few paragraphs/pages switching off to another character. at times it felt dizzying trying to understand who was who for a bit.
Overall, I enjoyed the book for what it was but think I would have enjoyed it more as a movie.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
The MC was insufferable in all the wrong ways. I was hoping for growth but it felt like it was always entirely about how she grows for others - nothing within herself.
Yet, I was still drawn to her story so I could see what happens
The story felt real, but was also really disappointing. No characters made me care about them - I felt bad for Miriam, Rachel was simultaneously selfish and people pleasing, and all other characters were miserable side characters. Maybe the story wasn’t for me? Maybe I wanted more from everyone and it was too much? Maybe it was just too real of a story to feel satisfied.
The story is about sexuality, desire, and longing but it feels more accurate to say it’s a view of how hard it is to be gentle and caring for ourselves and others when it comes to our wanting. How can all parties remain unharmed when desperately grasping for things you want, deserve, and seemingly can’t have?
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Grief, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol
