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A review by dustghosts
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
+ An engaging, mysterious, thrilling read that feels just right for the age the series is geared towards
+ Through the narrator and her sisters’ POV, a refreshing celebration of diverse forms and interpretations of beauty
+ Representation/inclusion that feels natural and casual, only occasionally heavy-handed
+ Visceral and gripping descriptions, dialogue that feels True, a protag who is naive, charming, and morally challenged time and again.
- Pacing can be a bit strange— slow and meandering at the beginning, too fast near the end. Some of the protagonists largest concerns feel underaddressed as a result, and some situations (ie: her beingsent to the tea house at the beginning ) begin to feel too convenient to the plot progression.
+ Through the narrator and her sisters’ POV, a refreshing celebration of diverse forms and interpretations of beauty
+ Representation/inclusion that feels natural and casual, only occasionally heavy-handed
+ Visceral and gripping descriptions, dialogue that feels True, a protag who is naive, charming, and morally challenged time and again.
- Pacing can be a bit strange— slow and meandering at the beginning, too fast near the end. Some of the protagonists largest concerns feel underaddressed as a result, and some situations (ie: her being
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fatphobia