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avasbookmark's reviews
232 reviews
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
That being said, I think I would’ve preferred to see this as a play. The 12 hanged maids were really the stars of this book and although I thought the chorus concept was unique, I wish the book had delved deeper into their lives and stories. I thought I was going to be a lot more invested in Penelope as a character than I actually was by the end of this :(
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, and War
3.5
Towards the end, I did feel like I was listening to the author read me her resume or LinkedIn profile and I swear I heard the same few sentences repeated but with slightly different wording- maybe to hit a word count goal?
Minor: Body shaming, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Sexual harassment
- 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? Yes
4.0
My problem with short story collections remains though. Some of these stories are more memorable than others and I probably would have preferred a full length novel but that’s just me.
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Classism
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, and Slavery
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pedophilia
- 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: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Sexual assault
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Vomit
- 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
3.75
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
- 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
Minor: Homophobia and Infidelity