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andra_k's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Alcoholism and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
obliquity'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
2.0
This is, of course, wild speculation, but it almost feels like a deadline loomed with an expected wordcount, and the author either lost interest partway through or just ran out of time to meet it in any other way. It's something I've seen before, but mostly in less experienced writers - I've even done it myself, back closer to when I started out, and it surprises me that somebody who has published this much has done so at this point in their career. Maybe it's just a stylistic choice, but it's not one that I enjoy.
As much as the middle dragged - and it really, really did - the ending felt very rushed. Shorter chapters, faster pace. Okay, that makes sense. But I would have liked a little more detail in the rounding up of things. The epilogue was pretty short and set two years later, and I feel like some of the stuff that might have been interesting to see immediately after the final chapter would have been more interesting to read that most of the rest of the book. I like characters learning lessons, working their way through things, but in all of these struggles, she didn't seem to actually learn anything on-page at all.
Elena was more interesting to read, and I think she and Ani were about the only characters I actually liked.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual content
Minor: Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Death of parent
zombiezami's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Blood, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Vomit, Islamophobia, Death of parent, and Outing
Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, Suicide, Torture, and Abandonment
semeyers'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
2.5
As others have echoed, Cassie is an extremely flawed and (IMO) a downright annoying main character. Many of the actions she takes are so nonsensical that it had me frustrated and ready to put the book down. In fact, most of the characters are so one-note that I found it difficult to get truly attached or into the mindset of any of them. There was only one character that was interesting and her story is glossed over for the most part and then ends abruptly for seemingly no reason
All that being said, the plot does keep moving and there is a genuinely interesting twist at the end, so if you are looking for a quick read this might be worth grabbing.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gore, Sexual content, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape and Stalking
steviaplath's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
hmatt'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
Something I liked better in the TV series: the cast of characters were more diverse and three-dimensional. There is also a clearer focus on Cassie as the main character, which I think is more suitable. I didn't have any attachment to Elena's chapters or storyline.
Something I liked better in the book: the plot was more straightforward and was discussed in more detail, so it was overall WAY easier to follow. Also, the book didn't get into the weird psychoanalysis weird rabbit fixation which I felt did the TV show no favours.
On the whole, kind of a "meh" book. It was just okay.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Minor warnings are "mentions of"