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kappafrog's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The southern small town setting was often very absorbing too. I loved the porches, the iced tea, the corn fields, and how well Lillian blended in wearing borrowed clothing when she had to stay in the house with her sprained ankle. The people were very different than the ones we meet in NYC, and I liked seeing their characterizations explored, though more could have been done with some of them (like the police chief, whose racism never comes up after that chilling first scene with him).
The ending here didn't reach the heights of the first book. While in that book everything got tied together, here there were a lot of red herrings. I didn't find that as satisfying and exciting as the first book. The end felt like it came a little too quickly - I would have liked to see more aftermath with some of the other characters like Bob, though I liked the final scene with Maeve a lot. Carl was begging for a followup we didn't get too. I was a little disappointed by the way things ended in this one. More realistic perhaps, but the first one was so deviously clever I was a little let down this time around.
My favourite scene in the book was the funeral held for the murder victim. I teared up at that. I loved all the beautiful little touches of circus life, like the decorated coffin and the parting words everyone gave her: "See you along the road."
This mystery was more personal for Will, which meant Will made a lot more mistakes and crossed a lot of lines in conversations that she normally wouldn't have done. Sometimes that was a bit frustrating. I wasn't as interested in her romance this time around. However, I liked Joe's character. Some of the side characters who were interesting but underdeveloped were Evelyn, Carl, and even Doc.
Overall though, this was another wonderful novel! I was totally drawn into its world and absolutely loved seeing a mid-20th century circus behind the scenes. You truly got the feeling for the passing of an era.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Racism, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Homophobia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Car accident, and Abortion
kimveach'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
karcitis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, and War
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment