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paulineerika's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
I didn't quite know what to expect going into this book. I'd read Creep before, so on some level, I understood this would probably be a dark/darkish story. But the synopsis was sparse and I just really didn't know what I was getting into.
I had a couple of wrong guesses early on about Jonah's secret, but had a pretty solid idea of what the twist was when "South Carlisle" was introduced . But even knowing that didn't take away from the story for me. This book was pretty much un-put-down-able for me, so thank God it was a quick read.
None of the characters are good. It might be a stretch to call any of them likeable. They are all gray: selfish, secretive, and manipulative. But they're also complicated and layered and Penaflor does it so well, especially with Fatima and Jonah.Jonah, to me, was such an interesting character because he wanted redemption so badly, but for most of the book, didn't seem to do much to deserve it except try to erase his background. But that one brief chapter from Fatima's book when Brady talks about why he did what he did--it really makes you wonder how much of it was true and how much punishment or redemption he truly deserves. It's a reminder that so many situations aren't black and white, no matter how much we want them to be.
I also really enjoyed the format of the book: interviews, published journal entries, and especially the excerpts from Fatima's book. There was something heartbreaking about the ending, which was also somehow both satisfying and unsatisfying.
I had a couple of wrong guesses early on about Jonah's secret, but had a pretty solid idea of what the twist was
None of the characters are good. It might be a stretch to call any of them likeable. They are all gray: selfish, secretive, and manipulative. But they're also complicated and layered and Penaflor does it so well, especially with Fatima and Jonah.
I also really enjoyed the format of the book: interviews, published journal entries, and especially the excerpts from Fatima's book. There was something heartbreaking about the ending, which was also somehow both satisfying and unsatisfying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Violence
booksandmagic's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
hmetwade's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Very predictable
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
ishouldbereading's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, and Sexual assault
sarkenobi's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Hate crime, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing and Mental illness
leacallida's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Très déçue, j’en attendais beaucoup et c’était très plat, aucun personnage n’était intéressant, le plot twist n’en est PAS UN (on le voit venir depuis le début à tel point que quand Jonah a révélé avoir subi des agressions j’ai cru avoir mal compris car pour moi c’était évident qu’il les avait commises et non subies ?? ) et la fin est nulle et véhicule de mauvais messages. Ne perdez pas votre temps à lire ce livre.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was truly meh. I did not care for the plot or the characters and it was just super boring to me. There are dozens and dozens of books in the genre that I have read that are far better than this one, so I don’t recommend.
Age rating: 13+
Age rating: 13+
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
lowie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
tindra_jallhage's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
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