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books_and_things's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Whew! What. A. Ride.
I do want to provide some trigger warnings ahead of this review. This book deals with murder, rape, depression, suicide ideation, overmedication, and violence. Please do not continue with this review or the book if any of these things are going to be detrimental to your mental health.
I tell you this book was wild. Camille is aimless after the death of her daughter. She is fully swept up in grief, overmedicated, and overall a shell of the person she was. One evening Camille attends an event honouring the boy who Camille believes r*ped and killed her daughter. She snaps at the thought of this boy thriving while her daughter no longer lives and ends up getting arrested. After this, Camille starts receiving business cards and eventually finds her way to a Facebook group of grieving mothers. Not only does the group have grieving mothers, but all the mothers have yet to get justice for their kids.
As Camille finally starts to feel a sense of belonging, she is invited to the dark web to join an exclusive group where she is free to express her most violent hopes and wishes. Upon expressing for the first time all the dark details she envisions for her daughter's murderer, she is met with acceptance, with encouragement, with women supporting her dark desires and adding their own. Needless to say, Camille has found her place.
Things get a bit dicey after Camille decides to join the Collective, slowly taking small actions that play a much bigger role and eventually lead to the murder of someone.
Camille has to decide. Does she stay in the Collective or are the secrets and weight of the Collective too much to bear?
Oh man, this one was dark but I was expecting wayyyy more. IDK, I saw so many reviews saying this is dark, dark so I guess I was expecting more? Maybe I am just depraved. Anywho, I loved the way this ended. I was captivated to see how it all came together. I thought for sure Wendy was going to be the person in charge but man, I was wrong.
What I really did not see coming was Camille being the target of the Collective. WHAT?!?! I personally don’t think a phone call at the wrong time and some strong words warrants murder but eh what do I know?
All that to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I especially loved the look at grief. It is dark and raw and totally consuming.
What I really did not see coming was Camille being the target of the Collective. WHAT?!?! I personally don’t think a phone call at the wrong time and some strong words warrants murder but eh what do I know?
All that to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I especially loved the look at grief. It is dark and raw and totally consuming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Self harm
rambleandsipwithelise's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual violence
tomilola's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Murder
catinseas's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Police brutality, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, and Alcohol
danaslitlist's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
First I have to say the premise of this book is so intriguing and well executed by Alison Gaylin. I was a bit worried I'd find it either too out there or too safe but stays steadily grounded in just enough realism and "what if"s that it works. I also appreciate the lack of on page violence when it was something that the author could've easily written in and had it "work" in theory. I think this book benefits from the idea and threat of violence, from the knowing that it happens, but without making that the focus of the narrative.
Instead this is thriller that puts the focus on grief and the many ways it can present itself. Self destruction, the destruction of others, regret, anger, and so much more. And while this is still a suspenseful and tense book I found this to be a much more emotional journey than I had expected. I really appreciated the commentary on victims of violence at the hands of those who have the means to escape justice (whether that is because of their race, financial or social status, or just utter incompetency of the system).
The Collective spends a good portion of itself discussing how the world views these victims in life and in death and how that extends to the surviving members of the victims' families. One of the most powerful and gut punching moments occurs when justice (in theory) is finally attained for one of the main characters and we see how quick the world is ready to reinvent the narrative they spent so long pushing and benefiting from. And how fast everyone is to move on immediately after, how that doesn't sate the feelings of rage and pain that linger for those still wronged.
I really enjoyed our main character, Cam, she's a beautifully flawed (and who wouldn't be given the circumstances) character that I wanted to both shake some sense into while also root for her to keep going. The mysterious supporting cast that names themselves The Collective are equally fascinating and I really love that even in the end we know very little about who they all are and how this system works. Again, the premise is just genius and terrifying. I also appreciate the deviating from the young lover with Luke, I tip my hat to Alison Gaylin for that little twist.
The only reason that I'm removing a star from this book is because of the ending. This is a book that builds up and up, a dam about to break, but instead of a shattering of that dam we get someone poking the wall with a stick to create a leak that completely ruins the spectacle. Now, I'm not saying that we needed to have a guns blazing ending or anything but it was very anti-climatic and that I think it could've been fixed with some little changes. One of those being the pacing; the majority of the book has great pacing however the last 100 pages or so goes by very quickly with a lot of reveals and twists given to you all at once. This didn't quite work out for me the way I think it was intended especially given the reveals we were receiving. They were quite vital for Cam and her character and instead of having any time to ruminate on them we're forced to go, go, go. The other change I would make would be to make the stakes at the end a bit higher. I think the ending is where the author finally played it too safe for me because there was never a question of what decision she would make.
I think a lot of my minor issues have to do with the pacing of the last 100 pages. It’s so fast as if it’s trying to quickly tie things together on a time crunch. I wish we had some more time to focus on the relationships that motivate her decisions at the end.
Instead this is thriller that puts the focus on grief and the many ways it can present itself. Self destruction, the destruction of others, regret, anger, and so much more. And while this is still a suspenseful and tense book I found this to be a much more emotional journey than I had expected. I really appreciated the commentary on victims of violence at the hands of those who have the means to escape justice (whether that is because of their race, financial or social status, or just utter incompetency of the system).
The Collective spends a good portion of itself discussing how the world views these victims in life and in death and how that extends to the surviving members of the victims' families. One of the most powerful and gut punching moments occurs when justice (in theory) is finally attained for one of the main characters and we see how quick the world is ready to reinvent the narrative they spent so long pushing and benefiting from. And how fast everyone is to move on immediately after, how that doesn't sate the feelings of rage and pain that linger for those still wronged.
I really enjoyed our main character, Cam, she's a beautifully flawed (and who wouldn't be given the circumstances) character that I wanted to both shake some sense into while also root for her to keep going. The mysterious supporting cast that names themselves The Collective are equally fascinating and I really love that even in the end we know very little about who they all are and how this system works. Again, the premise is just genius and terrifying. I also appreciate the deviating from the young lover with Luke, I tip my hat to Alison Gaylin for that little twist.
The only reason that I'm removing a star from this book is because of the ending. This is a book that builds up and up, a dam about to break, but instead of a shattering of that dam we get someone poking the wall with a stick to create a leak that completely ruins the spectacle. Now, I'm not saying that we needed to have a guns blazing ending or anything but it was very anti-climatic and that I think it could've been fixed with some little changes. One of those being the pacing; the majority of the book has great pacing however the last 100 pages or so goes by very quickly with a lot of reveals and twists given to you all at once. This didn't quite work out for me the way I think it was intended especially given the reveals we were receiving. They were quite vital for Cam and her character and instead of having any time to ruminate on them we're forced to go, go, go. The other change I would make would be to make the stakes at the end a bit higher. I think the ending is where the author finally played it too safe for me because there was never a question of what decision she would make.
I think a lot of my minor issues have to do with the pacing of the last 100 pages. It’s so fast as if it’s trying to quickly tie things together on a time crunch. I wish we had some more time to focus on the relationships that motivate her decisions at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, and Medical content
palebea's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
This is a real dark and twisted book but it feelsIaccessible and not overwhelminglyIso. It took me a few chapters to really get into the story. I feel like parents especially mother's may relate better to the anger and grief displayed by Camille from the outset. I didn't relate so easily so I must admit I found it frustrating. It took me a while to warm up to Camille and to understand her character but I think the writing does create understanding. Once I did, I got wrapped into the story.
I did not anticipate the ending. It was really quite poetic after all. I can't say I was even really that sad for Camille. As much as I would have loved for justice to exist within the book, this is Camille's story and I think it ended for her aptly. Maybe a reflection of the overall theme about the lack of justice. I loved the addition of organ donation and I imagine to myself that, that will have carried on Camille's story in a way - like Luke did for Emily.
I do recommend this book absolutely. It is dark and suspenseful in nature with great writing, complex characters and a original plot line.
I do recommend this book absolutely. It is dark and suspenseful in nature with great writing, complex characters and a original plot line.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Stalking
eve_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This is a book for those who want an easy, weekend binge read. It's not the masterpiece of the decade by any means, but goodness is it hard to put down.
⁕ Gaylin presents a surprisingly in-depth analysis of anger and revenge in the face of grief. She does not try to entertain forgiveness, rather she explores the reality of taking vengeance to the extreme and the consequences of doing so (bonus points because it's from the perspective of a woman).
⁕ I could not have predicted the ending (which was awesome), but it was very outlandish and a little nonsensical (which was maybe a little less awesome).
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ This is a book for those who want an easy, weekend binge read. It's not the masterpiece of the decade by any means, but goodness is it hard to put down.
⁕ Gaylin presents a surprisingly in-depth analysis of anger and revenge in the face of grief. She does not try to entertain forgiveness, rather she explores the reality of taking vengeance to the extreme and the consequences of doing so (bonus points because it's from the perspective of a woman).
⁕ I could not have predicted the ending (which was awesome), but it was very outlandish and a little nonsensical (which was maybe a little less awesome).
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Stalking, and Murder
alexisgarcia's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i liked this book a lot until the plot twist and ending. the plot twist was not what i expected and felt a little misleading and anticlimactic. if not for that i think i would’ve enjoyed this much more. otherwise, i really liked the concept and the relationships between the characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
carrasreadsandthings's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
I've never read a Thriller before and I'm glad this was my first. Boy were there a lot of plot twists! I loved it and my head is spinning!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug use, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
lovelymisanthrope's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I selected this novel as my book of the month pick last year, but I kept putting off reading it for no other reason than I kept finding books that interested me more. When I finally picked this up, I could not put it down until I saw how everything played out.
This novel follows a grieving mother, Camille Gardner, trying to seek justice for her deceased daughter. Five years ago, Camille's high school age daughter was found alone in the woods, and she unfortunately died shortly after. The lead suspect was a charismatic college student who claims the relationship was consensual and he had no part in the young girl's death. To Camille's horror, the man gets to live his life, and thrive, while she is decimated by her loss. In her depths of dismay, she stumbles across a group of grieving mothers who connect on the dark web and spill their darkest thoughts of revenge against those who have taken their children from them too soon. Camille quickly finds herself in a scheme of revenge against all the bad people who have hurt their children.
I thought this book was going to be a pretty straight forward case of heartbroken mothers who are seeking vigilante vengeance however, that is not the case. This novel has many twists and turns that I did not see coming. Everything, every action, every character, is connected in this grand scheme of revenge that I did not begin to piece together until I was almost at the end. Camille was such an interesting character to read from because she does not come across as this harden criminal that you would suspect to be involved in revenge, but losing her daughter changed her. I do think the ending is very polarizing. I can see why some people would hate it, and it would ruin the book for them. I personally really enjoyed the ending and I thought it was poetic and full circle. The epilogue is where the book started to lose me a little bit, but I still enjoyed my time with this book immensely!
This novel follows a grieving mother, Camille Gardner, trying to seek justice for her deceased daughter. Five years ago, Camille's high school age daughter was found alone in the woods, and she unfortunately died shortly after. The lead suspect was a charismatic college student who claims the relationship was consensual and he had no part in the young girl's death. To Camille's horror, the man gets to live his life, and thrive, while she is decimated by her loss. In her depths of dismay, she stumbles across a group of grieving mothers who connect on the dark web and spill their darkest thoughts of revenge against those who have taken their children from them too soon. Camille quickly finds herself in a scheme of revenge against all the bad people who have hurt their children.
I thought this book was going to be a pretty straight forward case of heartbroken mothers who are seeking vigilante vengeance however, that is not the case. This novel has many twists and turns that I did not see coming. Everything, every action, every character, is connected in this grand scheme of revenge that I did not begin to piece together until I was almost at the end. Camille was such an interesting character to read from because she does not come across as this harden criminal that you would suspect to be involved in revenge, but losing her daughter changed her. I do think the ending is very polarizing. I can see why some people would hate it, and it would ruin the book for them. I personally really enjoyed the ending and I thought it was poetic and full circle. The epilogue is where the book started to lose me a little bit, but I still enjoyed my time with this book immensely!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, and Alcohol
Minor: Terminal illness and Pregnancy