Reviews

They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall

leasummer's review against another edition

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2.0

Please seek out reviews by those with a similar voice to the author.
This was recommended as a diverse, modern version of Then There Were None. I saw it recommended on a book newsletter as well as Bookstagram. Maybe it just wasn’t for me. For me, the narrator as insufferable; not likable at all. And while we get a lot of backstory it still doesn’t feel like enough. What the heck is her issue? I feel like if I knew more than I could understand her whiny nature better. The other characters were like shells of humans, we got almost no backstory, except their crime. I almost DNF’d it but wanted to see how it played out. It didn’t get better.

badamsadamson's review against another edition

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1.0

I rarely DNF a book but this one was DNF’d at about 50%

It’s one of the most awful things I’ve ever read.

Failed to deliver on anything in promised going in.

Seriously, whatever intrigued you about this book, there’s dozens of other books that do that thing better.

Just avoid at all costs, life is too short to read dreck like this.

cymbopogon's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cre8tivebeauty's review against another edition

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

3.0

shelbarbee's review against another edition

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1.0

DNF at 18%

bookedbymadeline's review

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Really didn’t like the writing style! The plot sounded great but the writing felt clunky and the pace dragged a bit with the rushed intro of new characters without giving them much depth. I’ve heard this is an adaptation of Christie’s And Then There Were None so I’ll read that instead (and maybe some other locker room mysteries!

_shari's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

justellie's review against another edition

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Miriam is such a blatantly unlikable character that I found myself grinding my teeth while reading, and the others were equally bad. This misses the heart of And Then There Were None where all the characters have done horrible things but don't all seem almost entirely loathsome. Unlike what Howzell Hall's author's not suggests, she hasn't made it darker, she's simply made unbearable characters.

leannj's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The most interesting part of this book for me was the blurred lines between people actually being prejudiced and dismissive towards her because she is a Black woman, and what is just her growing paranoia. I actually wish the book had delved into that idea a little bit more, because otherwise the book wasn't super memorable outside of being entertaining on the surface level.

paigeafterpage_'s review against another edition

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2.0

DNF @ 50%.
I just can’t anymore.