ghoulpilotfinn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Very heavy subjects in this book. TWs for (a lot of) SA, r*pe (offscreen), p*dophilia, kidnapping, violence towards women and children, police.
That being said, this book is a page-turner. I probably would've finished it in a day if life permitted. The characters are so well written, every one of them having so much depth to them. The atmosphere building is impeccable. The suspense made it hard to set the book down. Despite the heavy subjects, scenes and TWs, Lourey somehow manages to never take those scenes too far.
My few issues with the book:
1. The descriptions however of some of the girls went too far at times imo. Even through Heather's POV, the descriptions of the other girls, especially of her 12yo sister Junie, seemed overly sexualized and made me uncomfortable.
2. The vibe change between the resolution and conclusion of the book was so drastic, it almost felt rushed. (ending spoilers)
Spoiler
Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful and thankfully good ending, but going from an entire book of "you can't trust anyone, not the cops, not even your own family" to "let's trust the non-local cop" then "we're now certain everything is good and we're safe" felt almost ironic. The resolution went so fast, like Constance and Gloria making up after years of not talking then moving in together all within a few paragraphs. It felt very "Hollywood movie that needs to have a perfect happy ending or else it won't get approved" (if that makes sense). I don't know, it was at both a relief to see these girls feel safe for the first time yet disappointing because it felt unrealistic considering the rest of the story.Conclusion: good book, don't trust cis men, know your self-defense, and fucking raise your sons right.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Grief, Child abuse, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Death, Sexual assault, Murder, Confinement, Kidnapping, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Rape, Medical content, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
jenlindeman's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Murder, Death, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
erinhanso's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, Rape, Pedophilia, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Grief, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Mental illness, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Drug use
Minor: Abandonment
hollyslibraryholds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Murder, Misogyny, Grief, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Torture, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Drug use, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexism, Rape, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Drug abuse, and Mental illness