The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
ohkaereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
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Albeit, the book had its moments. The past and present were woven well into the novel. The chapters and parts were organized rightfully. I also liked the small integration of music into the story, the lyrics toned well to the narrative beats. The story was immersive with the cinematic qualities of a lifetime movie. The exploration of an abusive relationship was decent. The âvillain monologueâ at the end was one of my most liked (up until the âshift/turning pointâ).
But I wasn't thrilled, I was disgusted. I finished the book because it was easier than not finishing it. The romance was ick, the characters were ick and the ending was ick. There were also instances of narrative fatphobia (fatness almost always linked to disgust or disliked characters) and the discussion/mentions of race left a bad taste in my mouth. âBut the woman standing in front of him is black, her skin the color of coffee with a few drops of cream,â is used as a description. I'm a black woman and that was a personal no for me. The story felt riddled with things like internalized misogyny because, for some reason, we are trying to justify why Geo deserved this and Angela deserved that and trauma porn. While it isn't exploitative, why is the reader subjected to three on-page rape scenes? Why is it one thing after another happening to Geo? And this also brings me back to the plot. It's a thriller. You would think the plot is the biggest part but that would mean the prison sequences were pointless. I get the characters needing to be humanized and solid but in hindsight, it was excessive. In the end, the book felt like a fluke. A plot so predictable it was annoying and this is coming from someone who likes linear stories (and spoilers and seeing right through stories â give me a plot, 50 or 60% in I know how it ends, how the puzzle fits). The story was not predictable in a fun way but rather in an I-can't-wait-to-be-finished-with-this-mess way. A book that might as well have been a novella. The story was a good in-between to kick me out of a slump but extremely disturbing. I spent most of the novel horrified but bemused. The novel had a tacky quality that caused me to inappropriately laugh at times. There were quite a few grammar errors as well but I wasn't too distracted by them.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, Homophobia, and Vomit
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, Drug abuse, Addiction, Drug use, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Pedophilia, and Gun violence
The book has three on-page rape scenes (chapters 4, 22 & 24) and an on-page attempted rape (forcible incest, chapter 32 and 33). Forced institutionalization refers to the fmc's time in jail; there is no admittance to any facility based on psychiatry in the novel. Injury/injury detail refers to aspects of the murders (not considered torture since they are not prolonged) and a victim's loved one's anxious and intense fingernail biting. There is only one instance of gun usage, at the book's end, but there are a few mentions of the weapon weaved throughout the book.louandlife'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
It's a good read. The book was gripping and fast paced. I managed to finish it within about 13 hours. If I didn't sleep, I could have finished it in one go. This book does jump around the timeline to tell this story. So it's not a chronological story. I wouldn't say the characters are likeable but it is more of a plot based story. The big reveal of the killer was a bit disappointing, as was the end of the story. If I liked the ending, I think this book would have been 4 stars. I'll also know I'll forget about this boon soon which is why I wouldn't rate it 4 stars. But I also appreciate this book because it was a good choice for me to read in my goal to read more books whilst I still can during this holiday.
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, Physical abuse, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Infertility, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Alcohol and Terminal illness
Minor: Addiction
readersmultiverse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It was good but not mind blowing. If you read thrillers, youâd probably be underwhelmed by this one.Â
It was very dark and gory. There are a lot of details of bodies being dismembered and children being murdered.Â
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Murder, Rape, Sexual harassment, Child death, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Minor: Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, and Cancer
erripsis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
maryrhg's review against another edition
- 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
1.0
Maybe Iâm the weird one but I seriously have no idea why people rate this book so highly. There is so many rape scenes in this book most of which seem to be there just to make the reader uncomfortable and donât really ad anything to the story? (If you know, you know Iâm talking about the last one). The ending is rushed, the romance is rushed and unbelievable. You could remove kai from the story and it would have basically been exactly the same. I didnât find it thrilling or suspenseful at all just icky to read. If youâre looking for something to disturb you this might work for you, but for me this was definitely not it.
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Death, Sexual content, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Cancer, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Vomit, and Body shaming
mcminimin'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
2.5
Graphic: Rape and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Self harm
Minor: Abortion