The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
angelfireeast24'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Child death, and Confinement
Moderate: Ableism, Death of parent, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
liliom's review against another edition
Moderate: Murder, Homophobia, Kidnapping, and Sexual assault
thingslucyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Homophobia
Some of the characters (most often the parents of disabled characters) say or think things that come off as ableist even though they come from places of concern and love. The ableism is not directly experienced by characters on page, no slurs are used in direct conversation, and the book and plot itself did not seem ableist to me. The homophobia is incredibly mild, and the extent to which Matthew being married to a man is a non-issue, especially to himself, especially in regards to his upbringing, was nothing short of laughable to me, a fellow gay person. Itâs not bad, the rep is great, itâs just incredibly obvious where the gaps in Ann Cleevesâ experience in this matter lie. (We learn about Matthewâs early life but at no point does it specify when or how he realised he was gay. He justâŚfell in love with a man and it was nothing, apparently, even though heâd been raised in an evangelical cult that regarded sodomy as one of the most unforgivable sins. This man definitely should have had some shit to work through about this but somehow he didnât.)nerdglasses08's review against another edition
3.25
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
Minor: Car accident, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide
akira_outofthegravity's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
As for the plot I have to say Iâm very proud of myself for guessing most of whoâs involved. The final âtwistâ -if you can call it that- had me both repulsed and also wondering how I could have missed it. I loved the themes of abuse in this book, doesnât sugar coat it, Cleeves distinctly calls out the homophobia and covert homophobia (referring to Jon as Matts âpartnerâ, the harassment of women - particularly disabled women, as well as the infantilisation of disabled women and those with mental illness. As someone with mental illness I thought that point was particularly interesting.Â
The saviour complex shown by the characters is really interesting, and Cleeves calls it out in no uncertain terms. I thought Ross was really interesting, being this spoiled brat, essentially, but whoâs actually being manipulated (at least in some capacity) by his boss who he feels in debt to. I liked him more by the end, and I feel like heâll get some more development as the series goes on.Â
Jen was also very interesting. A very judgemental woman whoâs actively trying to better herself, while struggling with being a woman on the force. Her relating everything to her domestic abuse (I suppose PTSD, even if itâs never outright stated) gave a lot of depth to the character and you could really feel her anger, and her desperation to get on with her kids. Again, I liked her more as the book went on, I loved that she was angry. Seems like we never get angry women, and it was a breath of fresh air.
Iâm a little uncertain about Jon, there were a couple of points where I was hoping that what Cleeves was alluding to was in fact residue from Matts childhood (not being demanding with Jon, Jon losing his temper, etc) and not hints that their relationship was actually abusive. Iâm hoping Iâm misinterpreting it. But as a gay reader Iâm constantly scared that the gay characters will be thrown under the bus. Nevertheless Iâm excited to read the next book, and to watch the series which starts next week! (Monday the 23rd October).Â
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
amibo's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.75
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Suicide, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Ableism, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Murder