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bigcandle'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tudor keeps you gripped by alternating chapters between 1986 and 2016, leaving each chapter on a mini cliffhanger that gets resolved incrementally in a way which manages to be incredibly satisfying, instead of frustrating. At no point does it get jumbled or unclear, which is impressive considering how many plot points are introduced across timelines!
It's brilliantly mysterious and spooky, funny at points and devastating at others. I just could not put it down and read the final 200 pages last night. Just a great balance of tense thriller and contemplative discovery.
Oh, and the epilogue? Incredible. It tied the story together in a way which was equal parts shocking and satisfying. I literally closed it and said "yep. That was a fucking good ending." Very gothic very good.
I think there could/should have been some more exploration of certain types of trauma and how they influence the character, specifically
One thing I really enjoyed was the tragedy of consequences, how impulsive, understandable actions led to cascade effects which were unthinkable. It really evokes a feeling of the gothic, of corruption and fear meddling in people's lives, leaving them to stand by and watch their awful role.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Gore, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Dementia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicide, and Violence
whiskeywoman79'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
3.0
⭐⭐⭐/5
TW: SA (graphic once, but mentioned in different ways throughout)
I am not sure what to say about this story. It was creepy. It had its good parts and its bad parts? I was left confused and underwhelmed? I am rather unsure how I feel about it as a whole.
I feel like the author kept trying to justify inappropriate adult-child relationships. Like the one that was forced was bad, but because the young girl liked the teacher back that one wasn't bad, TF?!! Both shouldn't have happened, and neither should be condoned.
Can we also acknowledge that he was sexually assaulted!! They kept glazing over that Other than when he asked about the accusation made at the church "What he did to you - some people would give that same name."
I have no idea how it won the awards it did.
Will like this if you like Stephen King? For me it is like SCI Fi movies it's the B-rated version of Stand By Me.
I grew up in a small US town in the 1980s, yet I felt so disconnected from the flashbacks, maybe it is a UK v US thing? I never believed they were 80's kids.
I had such high hopes for this read because The Burning Girls is one of my 5-star reads for this year, after DNFing The Drift, and now my experience with this I am starting to think it was a one-off.
I am using this for a challenge I am just not sure which one yet.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Gore, Dementia, Abortion, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident
kelkelau'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
2.5
Moderate: Alcoholism, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Dementia, and Murder
georgiiaa'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? It's complicated
3.0
Twists and turns but almost so many it got a bit confusing I found? Lots of different names and relationships to keep track of.
Although, the ending was wrapped up nicely - I enjoyed the last few pages.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, Blood, Dementia, Car accident, Murder, and Pregnancy
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Cursing, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Suicide, Car accident, Abortion, and Pregnancy
bobinsbooknook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Dementia, Car accident, Abortion, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Death of parent
hailey_horror'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
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Pedophilia, Suicide, Violence, Dementia, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Murder
tlskayte's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Dementia, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, and Car accident
lousyreader157's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Blood, Dementia, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Gore, Suicide, Medical content, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Child abuse, Self harm, Car accident, and Abortion
castamere's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Abortion, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death of parent