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scburhans's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
** Spoilers Below **
The biggest thing I had an issue within this book was Ruby's family. It made me really uncomfortable that the first black and gay characters we get in the book are child abusers and murderers. While I don't think the racism and homophobia from this decision was intentional - I think it was in an attempt to introduce a discussion on unconscious biases - but it still did not read well at all. Having the villain of the story fake a disability also made me incredibly uncomfortable as a disabled person. There was a lot of covert, and I hope unintentional, ableism in the story. I did, however, enjoy the rest of the book, so I did decide to give the story 3.5 stars rather than just three.
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
kathryn_a's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
readergirl_87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cursing, Gore, and Blood
thatsssorachael's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
The cold open beginning was a little confusing, and after having read the entire book I'm still not entirely sure what the author was going for. But the pace the rest of the book was excellent, and definitely kept me fully engaged. I could read page after page after page, I needed to know what happened.
There's a plot twist featuring a main side character, and I did not see that one coming. I thought that was very smart and thought out, especially as you assume Tudor isn't going there as she's hinted around it so much. I thought it was very clever, and I enjoyed that. I liked that the supernatural element wasn't waved away as something else, I like supernatural elements in stories and I'm always a little sad when it's explained as something else by the end. Flo was an excellent, realistic, flawed character, and I enjoyed reading her perspectives. I also liked that the small village was almost a mood or a character of its own, I thought that was really compelling and it sucked me right in. On top of all that, the writing and dialogue was well done, and I think this one might be Tudor's best.
However, the ending. The last twist wasn't good. It wasn't explained well, the ties weren't fully tied, and it was confusing and unrealistic. This is a common issue she has with her books, and it's frustrating that on her 3rd (4th?) book it's still happening. It's a twist that you can't see coming or solve yourself with the clues given, and I never like those. I also really struggled with the male alternate chapters, and while I know who he is now, I don't understand him or his motivations. On the topic of the alternating chapters, while I liked the different perspectives, I didn't like not knowing who was starting a chapter and having to scan the page to figure it out.
This was a compelling thriller, and I did stay up way too late to finish it. I liked it, and maybe you will too.
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, and Suicide
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, and Murder
Minor: Gun violence
kendallreadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Death and Gore
haleyapratt's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, and Religious bigotry