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weekatsie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
She Started It by Sian Gilbert is a psychological thriller set at a hen party on a remote, private island - the height of absolute luxury. But from the start, things seem a little odd, as it turns out the guests at this getaway weren't exactly the bride-to-be's closest friends, and in fact, they haven't even seen each other in 10 years. As you may expect, things soon start to turn ugly.....
I was hooked by the premise from the start, and the author does a great job of making the characters deeply unlikeable people but also very intriguing. However, I did find it a little tricky to distinguish between the four main ones, as their voices were a little too similar in my opinion.
I really enjoyed the tropical island location and the action had me completely gripped - I was impressed by the high standard of writing, which really made me feel like I was right in the heart of the story. Although I figured out the twist, it took me a while to do so, and the reveal was satisfying.
Despite the fact that this is a psychological thriller, it also tackles some deeper issues, such as bullying and mental health. It dealt with both sensitively, though I found one element of the bullying backstory rather unbelievable (don't want to give any spoilers, so won't give any more details).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide
mbedrosian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Excrement
bookishkels's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, and Homophobia
kaylamoran's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Biphobia, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
10lewis2011's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
erinmichele_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Homophobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, and Excrement
amanda_mh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
gonetoseethelibrarian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Grief
angelarae235's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Biphobia, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Excrement, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
ivykennerauthor's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Lesbophobia