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cindytheskull's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
All in all itโs a too easy and predictable read with a cast of absolutely annoying characters that keep acting like no human being would ever act in similar situations.
I finished it just to be sure my prediction, which happened by 20% completion of my reading, was actually correct.
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Incest, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
scribblinginthemargins's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Incest, Grief, and Gaslighting
atalea'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
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Incest, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Car accident
readingtotravel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The mystery and story were well written and plotted out, and I love that there were games for the readers to okay along with.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
cassie7e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Confinement, Death, Incest, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
apalershadeofwhite'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? It's complicated
4.0
Overall, this book was so freaking good! I loved the premise, the characters, the execution... but there was one thing that didn't make this a 5-star read which is pretty petty of me, to be honest, but I think it's still valid lmao.
There were some really stunning sentences, metaphors, and similes throughout this entire book. Absolutely beautiful. I did sometimes feel like there were too many in a small space, though. Some of them felt a bit forced and included to try and be beautiful and thought-provoking, but sometimes simplicity is more telling. For example, on one page there were three similes/metaphors all of birds. They were each individually pretty, but there were so many in such a condensed space that it sometimes felt unneeded, unnecessary, etc. Some of the sentences didn't even need a linguistic technique and would have been just as good without them. A specific example being: the sentence "[a]n image of her mum making pastry for mince pies smacks into Lily's head like a robin into a plate glass". In my opinion, you don't need the simile; the word 'smack' is evocative and symbolic enough to insinuate painful or unwanted memories. Also, all of the metaphors and similes were Christmas or winter themed. Kudos to the dedication, but sometimes they didn't make as much sense as they could have if they weren't constrained to a theme.
Regarding characters, I loved Ronnie! He was the cause for a lot of the humour within the novel, which I think was a good choice to offset the darkness of the murder and death lol. I also loved Mrs Castle for her biting nature because she just did not give a shit, which also made for some funny lines.
The author is so good, based on this book, and I will probably read more of their stuff.
(POSSIBLE SPOILER AHEAD)
When it came to the plot twist (which in a sucker for), the hints were perfectly placed. I started to get suspicious of Tom because he was very attached physically to Lily while also constantly verbalising how emotionally attached to her he was. It happened so much that it started to feel like a diversion, but he was also the first who was attacked and did not succumb to his injuries, which was interesting. The other plot twist, about Sara and Tom made me a bit uncomfortable though, but it is DEFINITELY shocking and a twist, so I guess it works lol.
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Confinement, and Homophobia
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Bullying, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
tuhkasirius'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Biphobia and Incest
purplepenning's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Gun violence, and Sexual content
catbuechler's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Gaslighting