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.
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Stalking
Minor: Pregnancy
scifi_rat's review against another edition
-the most obnoxious prose. ex: describing her baby's gums as a wet pink secret
-i spoiled myself and the ending is wack af
-characters are annoying
-the pace is really slow for something advertised as thriller
-i spoiled myself and the ending is wack af
-characters are annoying
-the pace is really slow for something advertised as thriller
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Stalking, Violence, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual assault and Pregnancy
saraperdue01's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Grief, Murder, and Stalking
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
Graphic: Death, Body shaming, Abandonment, Mental illness, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Blood, and Grief
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