Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel

3 reviews

reading_under_covers's review

4.0

A quick-paced crime fiction novel!

This one had me hooked from the first two pages and I found Eve's search for answers regarding her daughter's murder keeping me on my toes. A story full of twists and heartbreak.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Pedophilia

kostas's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Drug use

escapinginpaper's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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? Yes

3.0

This one started out really strong for me – in fact I don't remember the last time several passages in a book made me sob, but here we are. Unfortunately the way the story panned out fell flat.

This is set in Missouri – main character Eve is a waitress in the poor Ozark town she grew up in. Eve's saving grace was her daughter, who basically "saved" her from otherwise living a dark, drug-riddled life like her mother. Unfortunately, the book begins with Eve's daughter being murdered, and the rest is her contending with her new life alone, the lacking police-work, and wanting to get justice for her daughter's death.

There were some really poignant moments in the first half with Eve dealing with her grief, and learning to lean on the people around her. However, while I really would have liked to see Eve grow beyond her circumstances, the book takes a turn at the end that was kind of disappointing for me. Ultimately, I think besides some passages about grief, most of this plot will end up not being much of a standout. I think Engel's The Roanoke Girls was a much stronger work, and I would recommend it highly over this one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Pedophilia

Minor: Cursing, Incest, and Pregnancy