Scan barcode
fadeddpages'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
4.25
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
araowl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Medical trauma
Minor: Child abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Excrement, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Outing, and Gaslighting
addysongilmore'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
laurafrances's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
greatexpectations77's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Gun violence, Racism, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
blackcatkai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this was pretty good, especially for a debut, in my opinion. not a huge fan of how some mental illness was handled, especially the use of words like 'psycho' and such, but this was definitely entertaining. a couple twists, one of which I definitely saw coming, complicated characters, weird relationships, drama, and just kept my attention the entire time. I feel the pace was good, and it was well put together. I'd definitely read more from Bartz in the future.
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, Sexism, and Grief
morellomel'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: Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse and Mental illness
katiieecat's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, and Cultural appropriation
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
“The Writing Retreat” follows a young woman named Alex. Alex is struggling in her personal and professional life. She is an aspiring author, but she has not been able to find the right idea to write about. All of her struggles are compounded by her recent falling out with her longtime best friend, Wren. Things seem to finally be looking up for Alex, when she is invited to attend an exclusive writing retreat at the mysterious home of best selling author Roza. Alex and a handful of other talented young women come together at Roza’s estate for a month-long writing retreat. Unfortunately, this amazing opportunity might be too good to be true when other members of the retreat begin to vanish, and there seems to be something far more sinister at play.
I was initially really excited to pick up this book, because I love to read stories about authors, who are struggling with their craft. Alex‘s character is so relatable. She is a struggling 30 something who is just trying to find her place in the world. She has a fire within her and she wants to write a story because she loves to read the inspiring works of others , but she cannot seem to stoke the fire high enough to be able to come up with her own idea. I really enjoyed seeing her character struggle with her relationship with Wren. After college it is really difficult to maintain friendships for various reasons. Alex‘s story with Wren really highlights how some people are your friend for certain chapters in your life, and that is okay.
Unfortunately, this book fell kind of short for me. It ultimately did not keep my interest, and I had to force myself to finish the story. The ultimate mystery behind what is happening during this writing retreat started out interesting, but it quickly transpired into a plot line that I felt was absolutely ridiculous. By the end of the story, I felt like it was all so unbelievable that I was disconnected entirely. I also ended up not liking any of the characters by the end, which makes it difficult for me to be invested in their stories.
This book was not for me, but I will still keep Julia Bartz on my radar and try a different book in the future.
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
carmenross599's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
My only complaint is I feel like the Alex-Wren dynamic doesn’t get the closure I would’ve liked, especially on Wren’s side. It would’ve been nice to have a raw emotional conversation between them that lasted more than two sentences, specifically about Wren’s treatment of Alex after their friendship ended.
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, and Murder