tigger89's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I don't typically read domestic thrillers, in part because I have a distaste for some of the tropes common in recent years. I picked this one up because of the sci-fi twist, but I wasn't sure how well I'd like it. I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed it! The front half of the novel is a medium-pace set up, introducing the characters, the world — it's futuristic, but in an everyday sort of way — and the crime; the second half is a page-turner, accelerating through the mystery as the stakes get higher.
What I loved the most is how the story examines victimhood in our society, questioning the fairness of people — especially women — being expected to conform to a narrow range of acceptable recovery behaviors. I also appreciated the parts dealing with true crime voyeurism, explored both traditionally through an amateur detective society and experimentally through a virtual reality game allowing you to step into the shoes of the victim.
All in all, I think this is very readable for both people who don't typically read domestic thrillers — though it might not hit the same way if you're not familiar with common tropes — and for people who don't read speculative fiction.
What I loved the most is how the story examines victimhood in our society, questioning the fairness of people — especially women — being expected to conform to a narrow range of acceptable recovery behaviors. I also appreciated the parts dealing with true crime voyeurism, explored both traditionally through an amateur detective society and experimentally through a virtual reality game allowing you to step into the shoes of the victim.
All in all, I think this is very readable for both people who don't typically read domestic thrillers — though it might not hit the same way if you're not familiar with common tropes — and for people who don't read speculative fiction.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Stalking
Minor: Pregnancy
polkadots_pints's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A pretty quick, easy read - perfect beach read for me. As you can guess by the name of the book, it has some dark themes but approaches them in a hopeful way. Good mystery elements, and a dash of futuristic sci-fi that questions whether we should use certain technology just because we can. Like all good mysteries, there is a twist at the end!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Murder
Minor: Rape
leebeeloves's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Death, and Pregnancy
Minor: Rape and Cursing
gummifrog's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I had the wrong expectations for it. By the summary, I thought it might be more of a sci-fi thriller pageturner. Instead, it's a very literary, thoughtful, and internal novel with very little thriller or mystery content. Any semblance of a mystery is only brought up halfway through the book, and the most intense suspense only lasts a few pages.
So if you're looking for a thoughtful, literary read about serial killer culture, post-partum depression, and coming to terms with your sense of self, this book may be a good read for you! The touch of mystery was interesting and compelling, although there wasn't enough of it. I really liked this near-future earth, where everyone games in VR and people can be cloned to come back to life. There was some fun commentary on capitalism and marketing distraction from the sins of certain big-name companies. There was also somewhat of an ensemble cast element, with five women in total having been murdered and meeting up regularly in a support group. Their relationships were really fun, and I would have actually liked to see more of them talking as a group and working together as a team.
The prose is a bit detached and clinical, although we follow the protagonist, Louise, through much of her childhood and her conflicted feelings about her murder, partner, and child. The idea of being cloned and having another body that is fully *you* rotting somewhere in the ground is really chilling. I think the author captured that element of horror really well.
Still, it wasn't quite the book I was looking for at this moment! I think maybe I read this book at the wrong time, or I should have looked deeper into it first.
So if you're looking for a thoughtful, literary read about serial killer culture, post-partum depression, and coming to terms with your sense of self, this book may be a good read for you! The touch of mystery was interesting and compelling, although there wasn't enough of it. I really liked this near-future earth, where everyone games in VR and people can be cloned to come back to life. There was some fun commentary on capitalism and marketing distraction from the sins of certain big-name companies. There was also somewhat of an ensemble cast element, with five women in total having been murdered and meeting up regularly in a support group. Their relationships were really fun, and I would have actually liked to see more of them talking as a group and working together as a team.
The prose is a bit detached and clinical, although we follow the protagonist, Louise, through much of her childhood and her conflicted feelings about her murder, partner, and child. The idea of being cloned and having another body that is fully *you* rotting somewhere in the ground is really chilling. I think the author captured that element of horror really well.
Still, it wasn't quite the book I was looking for at this moment! I think maybe I read this book at the wrong time, or I should have looked deeper into it first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Murder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, Abandonment, and Blood
Minor: Sexual violence, Alcohol, and Medical content
allshewrotebks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body shaming, Abandonment, Mental illness, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Blood, and Grief
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