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geckotigerwolf's review against another edition
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexism, Violence, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
mamiza03'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual violence
no_more_shelf_control's review
- 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
4.0
The story begins with a fox sniffing out the blood of the bodies that have fallen from the roof, impaled on the fencing. (Like I said, dark, but what a gripping start!) As the pages turn, we go back in time to Sylvie being pushed into her long-time friend Tess's world with the revelation of a brain tumor. This begins the events of a vow renewal on the Scottish new year's celebration of Hogmanay, the night of the fox's discovery.
Sylvie and Tess have a complicated friendship and as Sylvie is climbing the judicial ladder and presiding over a case that stirs old concerns, Tess is pushing to drag the same event up for some sort of closure with the looming threat of her tumor.
There were layers to this story that I don't want to spoil, so if you enjoy a darker thrill, go in blind!
I would caution ⚠️ those sensitive to sexual assault and more graphic descriptions. This is my first of Tyce's novels, so I wasn't as prepared. Fortunately, that wasn't too long, and the story at large was compelling enough for me to get past it. (I don't enjoy any "open door" scenes, consent or not.)
The various narrators were a great feature of this story. In between Sylvie's story and memories leading up to midnight, there were peppered scenes of police witness statements, and then from one of the victims after the fall. It made for a very dark, atmospheric read!
Again, a shout out to @hankpryan for introducing me to this story via her YouTube channel, A Mighty Blaze! I listened to the author chat, checked my @NetGalley and requested the audio! I am grateful to @tantoraudio and @recordedbooks for this @sourcebooks title that you granted to me. The audio will be available February 21st!
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
courtgooley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
dorsetreader'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail