clo_l's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
Minor: Blood, Cancer, and Animal death
annie_brewer'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? It's complicated
3.25
This one felt very confusing at the start with mulitple POV/timelines and so many characters, but once the dynamics within the families were explained a bit further it was possible to identify the characters and where they fitted into the story.
This was a very quick read, and I was continously seeking out how all the characters fitted into the main story, but the book felt unbalanced in that the past was much more interesting than the present storyline.
The 'cult/commune' style of the familes living situation was fascinatingly laid out and the perceptions of the kids during these events was so well written, which to the reader (and some characters) were obvious indications the slow indoctrination of the parents into submission.
Henry was a very interesting narrator. The oscilation between story-telling and correcting the others narratives was so well done via audiobook I got an intense understanding his true personality. I felt uncomfortable with how persistent he was to romance Phinn, but I would consider this behaviour due to his dysfunctional childhood, however some may have an issue with the gay character being presented as creepy and obsessive.
Other than Henry, Lucy returning to London to see The Baby felt like an unimportant story and Libby was a very unremarkable character that was too nice and trusting.
I didn't know there was a sequel until seeing another review, but I do really want to know what else could possibly be added into this family tragedy on top of an (unneccesary) drug trip, dispicable abuses, domineering control, and murder.
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Confinement, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Drug use
Minor: Animal death, Pedophilia, Miscarriage, and Murder
maxine_t96's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Colonisation, Murder, Child abuse, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Torture, Sexual assault, Death, and Bullying
Moderate: Miscarriage, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Drug use
shell18's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Graphic: Death, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, Drug use, Animal death, and Infidelity
vikixkv'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
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse, Drug use, Vomit, Torture, Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, and Pedophilia
sksumbera's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Biphobia, and Blood
luelle_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Graphic: Confinement and Death of parent
Moderate: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Rape, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Drug use, and Miscarriage
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
greatestheights'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
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Infidelity, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Animal death
norwegianforestreader'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Deportation, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Drug use, Physical abuse, Body horror, Grief, Alcohol, Animal death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Animal cruelty, Bullying, Car accident, Death, Cancer, Cursing, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Homophobia, Infidelity, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Torture, and Toxic relationship
butilikeit's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, Rape, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Mental illness, Animal death, Miscarriage, Drug use, and Alcohol