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sophieamreacher's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
sydneykidny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Outing
adelinebal4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Suicide, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, and Injury/Injury detail
brookey8888's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
astareads'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? No
3.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abortion
Minor: Fatphobia
necessary_rotting'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? No
2.5
It is nothing I would discourage anyone from reading, but it isn't something I'd reach for when recommending to a friend. I didn't dislike reading it (although I found the main character insufferable), but it's not a story that will stick with me.
As someone into thrillers and true crimes, it was a little too obvious. That being said, if you're looking for a quick read this isn't a bad choice. With this being ruth ware's first novel, I'll probably check out her other ones.
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Outing
xx_coco's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Let's start off with the positives: this was a quick read, but that's about it. The structure of the mystery was pretty standard and the set up was one I'm familiar with. Take a group of near strangers, isolate them, and it's the perfect opportunity for something shocking to happen. The plot had promise, but the execution could have been better. I spent a lot of this book wondering when something was going to happen because so many moments read like filler–there were long stretches of stagnant plot before the story gets going. Even when the story gets going it's difficult to get into because the characters are flat and fairly annoying. There isn't a chance to get to know anyone in depth beyond Nora really, and I didn't enjoy my time spent with her inner monologue if I'm being blunt.
I wasn't a fan of the back and forth between the present and the events of the bachelorette party. It did create mystery around the big event that sets the second half of the book in motion, but the whole memory loss trope is hit or miss. Without that one aspect the entire mystery would fall apart.
The main reason this book suffers is the characterization of Nora. She's naive, whiney, and I had a hard time believing she would have accepted the invitation to Clare's bachelorette party once the big reveal happens. The plot relies on a lot of unbelievable circumstances lining up perfectly for the story to unfold the way it does. I couldn't suspend my disbelief that much.
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Medical trauma
unicornweasley's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders