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unboxedjack's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The premise of criminals, hardened and violent, being offered a chance at a second life compliments of some miraculous memory erasing technology was an interesting conceit at best. This book did raise some interesting questions about what makes someone "worthy" of redemption, how trauma impacts and perhaps connects us, and the nature of evil. All the same, Sternbergh seemed to rush through elements of the plot too quickly (hello there cobbled together explanation of deliberate memory loss) and his characterizations often felt maudlin, exaggerated, and/or stereotypical. Perhaps that's simply the nature of the sort of western thriller genre, which is not my usual cup of tea, but it grated at times. All the same, an enjoyable, escapist read worthy of 3 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy