Scan barcode
genderspookies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing and Grief
Minor: Homophobia
valexander15's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Murder, and War
richardlvargas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Mass/school shootings, and Abandonment
taaniasill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Classism
victoriagallo'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: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
mysteryspouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Pedophilia, and Death of parent
velveteenrabbit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual violence
seventhcr0w's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Stalking
perthalus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I’ve seen the film adapt more than once before, and reading the original book provided so many pieces of context and extra character bits that made reading it entirely worth it. Koushun Takami absolutely nails the action. Even knowing what happens doesn’t remove from the intensity and suspense provided by each encounter, and god, what a premise.
I especially love Kazuo Kiriyama’s gang, though I wish Kazuo himself got a little more background towards the end, but that may just be my bias talking. And I also love Shogo Kawada because… I don’t know, I just love him, okay? 🫶🏻 Now that I think about it, there isn’t a character I don’t really like, maybe besides Shinji, though even he has his moments. But Mitsuko, Kazuo, Shogo, Shuya, Hiroki, Chigusa, and Noriko are all characters I absolutely love.
I will say that the action can ride the edge between believable and ridiculous, especially when characters do somersaults mid-fight. And on top of that, Shinji’s computer jargon and his exposition on pre-established information made his chapters a little repetitive, but other than that I can’t pick out any glaring problems with the book or it’s story.
Overall, it’s a book that is still incredibly entertaining, shocking, and politically powerful as it was when it was first released, and it only made my appreciation grow for the story and the film adaptation.
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia, Suicide, Trafficking, and Classism
dollteezdiary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Vomit