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coffeekitaab's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
My first of Kia Abdullah and what a rollercoaster ride!
Not an easy topic and I would definitely check out the trigger warnings due to the difficult premise dealt with her but genuinely thought it was very well written, and there were alot of conflicted emotions I dealt with as a result as I was reading. I think there is still a moral compass that the author wanted each character to have and how boundaries are tested when dealing with selfish and selflessness and how that means different things to different people. I was gasping alot of the times with the plot twists and could never predict where the story was headed - which was a relief as I was not sure where the book was heading when the tragedy takes place in the beginning of the book. Kia Abdullah is formidable in making you feel all the emotions and I will absolutely be picking more of her titles in the future!
Not an easy topic and I would definitely check out the trigger warnings due to the difficult premise dealt with her but genuinely thought it was very well written, and there were alot of conflicted emotions I dealt with as a result as I was reading. I think there is still a moral compass that the author wanted each character to have and how boundaries are tested when dealing with selfish and selflessness and how that means different things to different people. I was gasping alot of the times with the plot twists and could never predict where the story was headed - which was a relief as I was not sure where the book was heading when the tragedy takes place in the beginning of the book. Kia Abdullah is formidable in making you feel all the emotions and I will absolutely be picking more of her titles in the future!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
hesticht's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Terminal illness
Moderate: Infertility, Suicide, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide attempt
andieobrien99's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
*before you read this book, keep in mind these trigger warnings:
- miscarriage
- childhood illness
- Multiple child death
- murder
- manslaughter
- cheating
- trauma
- suicide mentions
Woah! What a book! Those twists at the end 🤯
Incredible writing
Incredible story
It was heartbreaking. Poor Yasmin. I cannot fathom the thought of losing 2 children in horrific ways.
I highly highly recommend reading this.
- miscarriage
- childhood illness
- Multiple child death
- murder
- manslaughter
- cheating
- trauma
- suicide mentions
Woah! What a book! Those twists at the end 🤯
Incredible writing
Incredible story
It was heartbreaking. Poor Yasmin. I cannot fathom the thought of losing 2 children in horrific ways.
I highly highly recommend reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Abandonment
shaleen64's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
3.75
The plot is engaging and well developed, however it reads more like a legal/courtroom drama than it does a traditional thriller.
The characters are diverse and whilst in parts relatable not overall likeable. The majority of the plot twists are left until the end which is effective in covering any unanswered questions.
This book is worth reading if you like a courtroom/family dynamic drama, not so much if you want an edge of your seat thriller.
The characters are diverse and whilst in parts relatable not overall likeable. The majority of the plot twists are left until the end which is effective in covering any unanswered questions.
This book is worth reading if you like a courtroom/family dynamic drama, not so much if you want an edge of your seat thriller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Pregnancy
soobooksalot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
jprater's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Miscarriage
Moderate: Suicide attempt
kaylo88's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
The book I just finished reading was an emotional rollercoaster that left me in a state of shock and awe. I can confidently say that it is one of the best books I've read in a long time.
From the very beginning, the story grips you and pulls you into the drama. As the tragic events unfolded, my heart went out to the family, and I couldn't help but feel their pain and suffering.
As the plot progresses, unexpected twists and turns keep you on edge, and the more you delve into the story, the more you realize how intricately woven it is. The drama kept me open-mouthed and captivated throughout.
The novel explores a wide range of themes, including the effects of childhood trauma on adulthood, the challenges of caring for a terminally ill child, infertility, loss, relationships, and the impact of a single decision on the course of one's life.
While I enjoyed the book immensely, I couldn't help but feel that I wanted to know more about the main character's childhood. The author scattered bits and pieces of her past throughout the story, but I craved a more in-depth exploration of the trauma that shaped her into the person she is today. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would love to read a prequel.
This is my first time reading a book by this author, and I can assure you that it won't be my last.
From the very beginning, the story grips you and pulls you into the drama. As the tragic events unfolded, my heart went out to the family, and I couldn't help but feel their pain and suffering.
As the plot progresses, unexpected twists and turns keep you on edge, and the more you delve into the story, the more you realize how intricately woven it is. The drama kept me open-mouthed and captivated throughout.
The novel explores a wide range of themes, including the effects of childhood trauma on adulthood, the challenges of caring for a terminally ill child, infertility, loss, relationships, and the impact of a single decision on the course of one's life.
While I enjoyed the book immensely, I couldn't help but feel that I wanted to know more about the main character's childhood. The author scattered bits and pieces of her past throughout the story, but I craved a more in-depth exploration of the trauma that shaped her into the person she is today. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would love to read a prequel.
This is my first time reading a book by this author, and I can assure you that it won't be my last.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, and Suicide attempt
irinim26's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
jkar7's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is very sad and just keeps getting sadder. I didn't see the twists coming at all. It felt a bit too long and repetitive at times, but overall really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Infertility, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
charlotte112's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book charts the aftermath of a horrible and tragic accident and the resulting legal battle between Leila, the boy's aunt, and the state. The four main characters are closely linked and the ways in which they are form a big part of the story and the twists at the end. I personally liked the main character, Leila, and was rooting for her throughout. The other 3 characters I found a bit more wishy-washy and I particularly was not a fan of the boys mother, Yasmin, who is a bit of a wet blanket. I was surprised by the twists but I felt like the detail for one was not fleshed out enough and glossed over. The twists are only revealed in the last 50 pages so it does make for a quick ending which I was disappointed with. However overall it was an easy reading drama with an unexpected twist but I sadly did not gel with many of the characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt