urbanstheno's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Rape
Minor: Abandonment, Mental illness, and Grief
kiddocut's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book is not for everyone. Don’t go into it thinking there is a big twist once you read what the subject matter is-there is no twist. That’s the point.
It’s one of the most challenging and upsetting things I’ve ever listened to and if you skip bits I don’t blame you-I had to skip some final chapters to “finish” this book. <specifically those associated with assisted suicide>
I think it takes great skill to write about this subject matter in a humanizing light without excusing the actions of the MC’s son.
The point of the book is seeing her do everything she thinks she can to save her son from his own urges-even denying the truth or hoping it’s a mistake…and how that rips her family apart. And yeah the MC does stupid and dangerously risky things to do that-but I can’t help but understand how hard it must be with the association of someone like her son.
I think this book does a good job with the ripples of victimhood that the actions of the MC’s son actually does. That it affects every family member and how it affects them. And I think we forget that aspect of these kinds of crimes.
If you can stomach it, (again, it’s not for the faint of heart) the change of perspective is interesting in and of itself.
And as much as I like that, I do wish there was like a blurb or something about the research in this book-especially when it comes to the profiling efforts. It’s well researched but i still felt left hanging.
It’s one of the most challenging and upsetting things I’ve ever listened to and if you skip bits I don’t blame you-I had to skip some final chapters to “finish” this book. <specifically those associated with assisted suicide>
I think it takes great skill to write about this subject matter in a humanizing light without excusing the actions of the MC’s son.
The point of the book is seeing her do everything she thinks she can to save her son from his own urges-even denying the truth or hoping it’s a mistake…and how that rips her family apart. And yeah the MC does stupid and dangerously risky things to do that-but I can’t help but understand how hard it must be with the association of someone like her son.
I think this book does a good job with the ripples of victimhood that the actions of the MC’s son actually does. That it affects every family member and how it affects them. And I think we forget that aspect of these kinds of crimes.
If you can stomach it, (again, it’s not for the faint of heart) the change of perspective is interesting in and of itself.
And as much as I like that, I do wish there was like a blurb or something about the research in this book-especially when it comes to the profiling efforts. It’s well researched but i still felt left hanging.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Self harm, Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Sexual violence, Stalking, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Pedophilia, Medical content, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Incest, Bullying, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
Don’t go into this thinking there is a twist like I did-I was mislead by a friend suggestion, there *is* a slight one, but it’s so minuscule and misleading that it’s a pseudo twist that has no affect on the MC or her son.smixter88's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Let me start by saying you 100% need to check for trigger warnings. Honestly, if you just read what the book is about, you'll immediately know at least one of them, but there are several severe ones. I have this really bad habit of not reading what a book is about, and just reading it because it's a thriller or its been recommended a lot. That's what happened here. With that said, I know this is marked as a psychological thriller. It's absolutely not. This book made me feel like I was going to vomit multiple times. It's a heavy read. The things in this book are horrific. I can honestly say I don't recommend this book. They are not just mentioned here and there, it's the entire book. That being said, I'll get into why I gave it a five star. Lucinda Berry's writing is beautiful. The emotions she wants you to feel, you do.
Disgust ✔️
Saddness ✔️
Happiness ❌️ *because it doesn't exist here*
Rage ✔️
Empathy for certain people ✔️
Hatred ✔️
Love ❌️ *again didn't exist*
Depressed ✔️
See the pattern?
You see this book from the mothers perspective, and her literally trying to save her son, only to realize...
I hated and I do mean hated the ending for many reasons. Again, I don't think I was ever meant to like it. I'm honestly confused as to why this book exists. And why the f*ck did I not read what it was about? I would have NEVER read this book. I'll learn my lesson eventually.
Disgust ✔️
Saddness ✔️
Happiness ❌️ *because it doesn't exist here*
Rage ✔️
Empathy for certain people ✔️
Hatred ✔️
Love ❌️ *again didn't exist*
Depressed ✔️
See the pattern?
You see this book from the mothers perspective, and her literally trying to save her son, only to realize...
I hated and I do mean hated the ending for many reasons. Again, I don't think I was ever meant to like it. I'm honestly confused as to why this book exists. And why the f*ck did I not read what it was about? I would have NEVER read this book. I'll learn my lesson eventually.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Drug use, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Sexual assault
chryses28's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A very intense, heartbreaking read that will leave a mark on you days after finishing it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Vomit, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Pedophilia, and Emotional abuse
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