Reviews tagging 'Adult/minor relationship'

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

3 reviews

_inge's review against another edition

dark mysterious

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

There’s a lot to like about this. I really liked the writing style, for one; it was really readable, getting the tone of a kid right without being condescending. I loved passages where Miv’s background shone through;

for instance when she’s wondering why her Muslim friends aren’t at church, and she’s genuinely confused.

But wow, I once again really don’t get the marketing for this. Quotes on the cover read ‘To read it is to feel a bit better about life’. ‘Heart-warming’. Really?

A serial killer targeting women (and women being afraid they won’t be taken seriously), domestic violence and abuse, a literal child falling to her death because of racist/facist kids, another kid committing suicide because he’s clearly autistic and can’t cope with life, and you write that? 

I went in thinking this was cozy crime, because of these comments, so I was surprised it turned out to be this dark. 

The ending soured my experience reading this too.

Sharon did not have to die for this to be impactful. I didn’t mourn her, instead I just thought: ‘really?’. It also means we don’t get closure; did she know about Ruby and Miv’s dad? Is that why she at times was more withdrawn? I don’t think this is a point to be made about grief; Miv won’t know, so we don’t either, but instead it feels like a cover-up for plotholes or elements of the story which were later erased. Towards the ends it’s also revealed Miv’s mum was likely attacked too, which adds nothing - it doesn’t change her depression or makes it more ‘valid’ (although that’s maybe what this book wants you to think), and because she doesn’t even know if it was him you’re left guessing at its importance.

I had a good time reading this, and would recommend it to others. It’s a great study in how to write kids/early teens as well. The ending just didn’t really feel right to me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

emilyandthewhippet's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I rarely cry when reading but I sobbed at the ending.

Throughout the story I just wanted to hold Miv and tell her that everything would be okay. It was mysterious and even knowing of the Yorkshire ripper, I was still left wondering what would happen next throughout the story. The ending was somewhat predictable but I'm always able to work out where books are going so maybe it wouldn't be for others. Even with this in mind though, the twist was still very hard hitting.
Definitely one of the best books I've read this year, out of almost 60 books so far.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Gaslighting

aileensbookshelf's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence