Scan barcode
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
The bad: I knew pretty early on that this was not going to be a favorite. I don't read a lot of thrillers in general but I enjoy sci-fi so I figured I would give it a shot. I couldn't stand the main character. And thus, the book was doomed in my eyes. The pacing was jumpy, and the plot was predictable (as in, I guessed what really happened in the first chapter and the main character didn't figure it out until the ~50% mark). There was some promise for some thoughtful introspection but the approach was heavy-handed at best. Some of the descriptions were vivid and others were flat out whacky.
I don't know if I will try another book by the author, but I don't think I was the intended audience for this work so who knows what the future holds.
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
katiefurms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Cannibalism, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic
ottercorg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I enjoyed the main characters and plot, felt that Crouch told the story well. The reason I've avoided sci-fi for so long is that my brain is not good at comprehending the science part. But this book made it palatable and mostly easy to understand - which made me enjoy it even more! Only a few times did risk going over my head.
Overall, an interesting tale that kept me invested, and not just because I had nothing better to do.
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic
sonias's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Violence, Police brutality, and Stalking
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
whatathymeitwas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Abortion, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
now_booking's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Kidnapping and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Medical trauma, Stalking, Abandonment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, and Classism
ggcd1981's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Drug use, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Violence, Stalking, and Alcohol
clea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The book was suspenseful with an interesting concept and loveable protagonists - it has everything a great thriller should have (maybe except for surprising plot twists; I found them all a little bit too foreseeable).
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Terminal illness, Grief, and Stalking
Minor: Child death, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts