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jonathandavid5's review against another edition
5.0
Brutal, haunting and beautiful. Definitely recommend checking TWs before reading this one.
kain47's review against another edition
This is more a story about trauma and abuse than looking into the lore of aswangs. Not quite what I expected and not really keen in reading in details about SA and death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
astronomnicole's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder
emmareadstoomuch's review against another edition
4.0
whoa.
this is the darkest, saddest, awfulest, most unbearable story, but it is so very real and so important.
technically it's magical realism, but the magic comes at a far second and there is no loveliness here - in fact, i wouldn't rely on the synopsis or marketing at all - but once i overcame my confusion i was able to appreciate this for the light it brings to untold stories.
a truly excellent debut.
bottom line: wow!
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currently-reading updates
murdered girl is transformed into a magic creature from filipino myth to undergo a quest that may or may not involve Revenge...
what could sound like a better read than that.
(thanks to netgalley etc for the e-arc)
------------
reading books by asian authors for aapi month!
book 1: kim jiyoung, born 1982
book 2: siren queen
book 3: the heart principle
book 4: n.p.
book 5: the hole
book 6: set on you
book 7: disorientation
book 8: parade
book 9: if i had your face
book 10: joan is okay
book 11: strange weather in tokyo
book 12: sarong party girls
book 13: the wind-up bird chronicle
book 14: portrait of a thief
book 15: sophie go's lonely hearts club
book 16: chemistry
book 17: heaven
book 18: the atlas six
book 19: the remains of the day
book 20: is everyone hanging out without me? and other concerns
book 21: why not me?
book 22: when the tiger came down the mountain
book 23: the lies we tell
book 24: to paradise
book 25: pachinko
book 26: you are eating an orange. you are naked.
book 27: cursed bunny
book 28: almond
book 29: a tiny upward shove
this is the darkest, saddest, awfulest, most unbearable story, but it is so very real and so important.
technically it's magical realism, but the magic comes at a far second and there is no loveliness here - in fact, i wouldn't rely on the synopsis or marketing at all - but once i overcame my confusion i was able to appreciate this for the light it brings to untold stories.
a truly excellent debut.
bottom line: wow!
------------
currently-reading updates
murdered girl is transformed into a magic creature from filipino myth to undergo a quest that may or may not involve Revenge...
what could sound like a better read than that.
(thanks to netgalley etc for the e-arc)
------------
reading books by asian authors for aapi month!
book 1: kim jiyoung, born 1982
book 2: siren queen
book 3: the heart principle
book 4: n.p.
book 5: the hole
book 6: set on you
book 7: disorientation
book 8: parade
book 9: if i had your face
book 10: joan is okay
book 11: strange weather in tokyo
book 12: sarong party girls
book 13: the wind-up bird chronicle
book 14: portrait of a thief
book 15: sophie go's lonely hearts club
book 16: chemistry
book 17: heaven
book 18: the atlas six
book 19: the remains of the day
book 20: is everyone hanging out without me? and other concerns
book 21: why not me?
book 22: when the tiger came down the mountain
book 23: the lies we tell
book 24: to paradise
book 25: pachinko
book 26: you are eating an orange. you are naked.
book 27: cursed bunny
book 28: almond
book 29: a tiny upward shove
lil_poundcake's review against another edition
DNF at 58%.
Clearly well-written and thoughtful, but so difficult to read. Just a never-ending saga of abuse, which is the point. It might wrap up in a satisfying ending, but I can't bear to read the rest to get there.
Clearly well-written and thoughtful, but so difficult to read. Just a never-ending saga of abuse, which is the point. It might wrap up in a satisfying ending, but I can't bear to read the rest to get there.
dawndigsbooks's review against another edition
Stopped reading at 10%. Not right for me at this time.
julieb's review against another edition
5.0
"Our people are lightbulb crunchers, bed-of-nails walkers, fire eaters. Every day is a circus in our jungles, alive with naked intent."
Damn, this is a painful, tremendous read.
I had to look up so many references I didn't want to miss.
* pakshet (Google it!)
I had the pleasure of working with Melissa Chadburn many years ago and we knew then that she is brilliant and could do everything she wants to do! I can't wait to stand in line to buy a signed copy of this book when it comes out on April 12.
Thanks, NetGalley folks, for a chance to read and review this gift.
Damn, this is a painful, tremendous read.
I had to look up so many references I didn't want to miss.
* pakshet (Google it!)
I had the pleasure of working with Melissa Chadburn many years ago and we knew then that she is brilliant and could do everything she wants to do! I can't wait to stand in line to buy a signed copy of this book when it comes out on April 12.
Thanks, NetGalley folks, for a chance to read and review this gift.
yeagerfaust's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0