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greatexpectations77's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I read this over quite a while because we were on vacation, so it was in little pieces, but it felt like a super long 8-hour book. There was a whole lot of internal discussion with Lizzie, which is partly appropriate for the age, but it still felt like a little much. And then I didn't love that we never get a totally clear idea of everything that happened pre and with the kidnapping. I guess that makes sense because a child wouldn't totally understand it or get all the info, but it wasn't my favorite as a reader. Ms. Abbott likes making up her own words in more poetic prose, which I don't love, and in most of her books it feels like that happens way more in the beginning of the book when she has a lot of steam and then trails off later in the books. I thought the narrator did a really good job.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol