Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

23 reviews

jules840's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Incest

sarahweyand's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad 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

1.25

I thought THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS was going to be my low-rated book on the month, but look at me exceed expectations. Maybe part of the reason here is on me, but I thought this book was a YA mystery when it was in fact a very adult thriller that centers heavily around the first listed trigger warning here. The book's synopsis in no way alludes to this being the crux of the story, reader be warned. So....not the most fun surprise.

I can understand and appreciate some dark, disturbing literature when done right. I read a lot of horror and I like a lot of horror. But in this context I cannot stand for the girl-on-girl hate and women blaming this book is full of. Every woman is alluded to being or just flat-out described as a slut, a mean girl, trailer trash, or some other nasty moniker that is not equally ascribed to the male characters. And given what this book is about at it's core, that's really fucking disgusting.

Unfortunately, I think this means I'm done with Amy Engel as an author, but maybe that's for the best. Please don't read this book. If you need something dark and depraved, read PRETTY GIRLS or something. And if you're a contrarian and this means you really have to read it now, please read the content warnings so you know what you're getting into. I'm not messing around.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Incest

Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Child death and Abandonment

jessyjessx's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Incest, and Rape

blacksphinx's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Vomit, and Grief

Minor: Violence and Murder

Slut shaming, victim blaming.

playswithstring's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol

antidietleah's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Incest, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Sexual content, and Death of parent

Moderate: Infidelity, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Vomit

bookzombiee19's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Incest, and Suicide

damnitdelayna's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

4.0

Book Dynamics✨
Non linear timeline 
One POV (mostly)
Dark AF
Slow Paced

JFC this was exactly what I thought it would be and I still wasn’t prepared. 

A great portrayal of grooming and how someone can get so easily trapped in the unthinkable. 

I liked how it wove together past and present for Lane but also the story of each Roanoke Girl. The family tree at the beginning of the book was very helpful in remembering who belonged to who once things started to unfold. 

Overall: grab if you want a slow burn make your stomach churn family drama - I don’t even know if family drama is the right term here though 🫠

Favorite Character: Cooper

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Incest, Miscarriage, Rape, Suicide, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

madeleinebay's review against another edition

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

cateyeschloe's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

I was warned going in that this book is dark and twisted, and that definitely rings true!

I read the book in a day and enjoyed (if I can use that word for this subject?) every minute of it. 

The story had me engaged from the Prologue and I stayed engrossed throughout every chapter. The characters are all interesting and multi-faceted, each shining a light on varying shades of grey in their moral compasses. The majority of characters have an effective character development and arch one way or another and where that growth may be lacking in some areas intentionally serves the story quite well. 

The book presents many characters who are extremely flawed and deeply affected by the ripple effects of situations and traumas in their lives. The interesting aspect, though, is that the author makes a point not to vilify most of these characters regardless of the choices they make and the actions they take (save for perhaps one character, who in my opinion cannot be anything other than a villain, so that could just be my lens coloring that perspective).

The author also does an excellent job of highlighting how often both society, individuals, and sometimes even our own minds will shift blame onto victims (specifically women) and twist the situation away from the actions and motivations of the perpetrator or abuser. 

This book tackles trauma, depression, suicidal ideation, internalized misogyny, assault, and abuse head on in many different forms and makes a concerted effort to showcase each of these from an outlook of empathy and patience. 

The topics covered in this book are grizzly, uncomfortable, and often very unsettling. However, I will definitely say it’s not an overly graphic book, in my opinion. The author explains what is going on without getting so visceral in the details that you reach a point where you feel like you need to shower. 

It lost a few points from me simply because I wished the ending had resolved things a little more completely or thoroughly, but the choices the author makes do still make sense. 

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone with the stomach for darker, troubling subjects!

As a suggestion however, I would definitely recommend checking out the trigger warnings before reading if you have any concerns. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Murder

Minor: Drug use, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Blood, Vomit, Abortion, and Abandonment

The main themes of this book involve incest, pedophilia, underage rape, and rape. They are integral to the plot and ever present throughout the chapters. There is one scene of dubious sexual consent, wherein one person is extremely intoxicated when they initiate having sex with a basically sober individual. The drunk party is enthusiastic but their intoxicated state eliminates any room for true safe and sane consent.