chellbear's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness, Blood, and Car accident
Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Body horror, and Abandonment
keenanmaree's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a really fun, spooky book that was almost half noir/half campfire ghost story. I absolutely loved the atmosphere of this book. Winter in Vermont was a lovely setting for such a creepy and sad story.
The shifting narrative (shifting between timelines *and* shifting between characters) could have easily been awkward and overly complicated, but it was executed very smoothly, and the loose ends came together quite nicely for the most part.
I have to say that the end was the weakest part for me. I wasn’t totally unhappy with it, but I really did hope for a resolution that would (spoilers here!!!) free Ruthie from the burden of babysitting a violent zombie child. Though her life on that farm sounded pretty idyllic and peaceful (for the most part...) so maybe it’s a decent trade off?
The shifting narrative (shifting between timelines *and* shifting between characters) could have easily been awkward and overly complicated, but it was executed very smoothly, and the loose ends came together quite nicely for the most part.
I have to say that the end was the weakest part for me. I wasn’t totally unhappy with it, but I really did hope for a resolution that would (spoilers here!!!) free Ruthie from the burden of babysitting a violent zombie child. Though her life on that farm sounded pretty idyllic and peaceful (for the most part...) so maybe it’s a decent trade off?
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death and Sexism
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