cinthiaurora's review against another edition
4.0
I think she’s a very talented writer but in some instances throughout this book the way she presents new info felt a little off.
Spoiler
For example, the cutting.For something that Flynn really emphasized plagues Camille’s every waking thought and influences every aspect of how she interacts with others, it just felt funny to “reveal” it half way through the novel. A novel being narrated by Camille no less.
Same thing with Adora’s violent tendencies. Up until Camille recalls the cheek biting incident, Adora was just presented to be a slightly overbearing, distant but possibly well-meaning mother. For being such a core memory you would think she would have brought this up, just, like, a little bit sooner. I understand the way to build suspense and all the strategies authors use to “leave breadcrumbs” in a story all the way up until the final climax. I understand the reason why these things couldn’t all be brought up at once. But sometimes it just felt like Camille had this selective amnesia until it was convenient for the narrative.
It felt funny, that’s all. But that’s just me being nitpicky.
Another thing that felt weird was the way Richard and Camille just, never spoke again immediately after the climax. I’m not saying it’s not realistic or that I craved any further “romance” between them, it just felt like a loose end Flynn didn’t know how to tie up so it was dropped altogether.
Anyways, those are just some of my thoughts. Great novel overall. Very twisted (in a good way) exploration of the dynamic between mother and daughter- which was rightfully the center focus of the book. Everything beyond that isn’t worth nitpicking too much. (Unless you’re like me and you like nitpicking :))
Graphic: Alcohol, Self harm, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Grief, Body horror, Bullying, Drug use, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Rape, Child death, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, and Vomit
Minor: Animal death, Classism, Sexism, and Misogyny
nightingalehero's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/injury detail, Self harm, Child death, Classism, and Gaslighting
maregred's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Murder, Terminal illness, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gaslighting, and Self harm
Moderate: Addiction, Classism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Rape, Dysphoria, and Body horror
Minor: Mental illness, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
nicoleherz'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sickening and sinister, family secrets, morally grey characters
Had watched the show several years ago and now decided to read the book. Didn't disappoint obviously, in fact I think the show portrayed the story and characters very well.
I felt for the main character but also found myself put off by some of her choices. The details were often gory and unsettling, definitely not for the squeamish.
Will definitely try others by this author.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, Gore, Grief, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Self harm, and Vomit
Moderate: Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Rape, and Gaslighting
jordangddrd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, Vomit, Alcohol, Child death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Injury/injury detail, Self harm, Addiction, Body horror, Body shaming, Gore, Grief, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Classism and Fatphobia
maddwomann'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Abandonment, Body horror, Vomit, Grief, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Gaslighting, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Dysphoria, Toxic friendship, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Medical content, Classism, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Medical trauma, and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Cursing
sm_moon's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Alcoholism, Self harm, and Child death
Moderate: Drug use, Rape, Terminal illness, Bullying, and Classism
mergwenthur'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? It's complicated
2.0
The actual storyline was....interesting. I started off with mix feelings about the mc but towards the end of the book tbh, I didn't like her at all.
By the time you realised who might have committed the murders it was like okay can we get on with it, a lil bit of a twist but also an unsurprising twist.
Honestly this whole book was a bit of a traumatic mess, in a bad way.
Graphic: Cancer, Animal cruelty, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Rape, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Medical content, Gaslighting, Drug use, Death, Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Child abuse, Vomit, Violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Child death, and Grief
rebeccajben'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
0.5
Graphic: Violence, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Bullying, Chronic illness, Classism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Gore, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Sexual assault, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Cancer, Cannibalism, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, and Torture