magellen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book was also oddly dated - the first Harry Potter mention was surprising, but by the point the mc was praising its author's talent (😒) I thought I'd picked up a much older book but nope. 2022 publish date. Also the 'oh my god you like star warrrrs what a nerd!' bit was like...buddy, no one has thought that in decades.
Much of the book is a red herring - like literally the book takes some sharp turns in the back quarter that peel it entirely away from the first mystery. And like...yeah? I guess the bread crumbs are there, amongst the weird disdain lacing nearly every character.
Like...its not terrible? But it squicked me out more than once with author choices that like Mmmmm frankly, make me feel his bad vibes, much like a largely abandoned plot point from the beginning of the novel.
I wouldn't recommend it to a friend or read it again, but if you're shooting for a reading goal eh, it is a book.
Minor: Classism, Outing, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Dysphoria, and Kidnapping
stephyreads1221's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Drug use, Child abuse, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Death, Gore, Murder, Racism, Addiction, and Drug abuse
lindavs22's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Car accident, Drug use, and Child death
Minor: Infertility, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
cwe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Drug abuse and Murder
Minor: Kidnapping
tanyalazanya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Kidnapping, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Drug use, Child abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, Sexual harassment, and Xenophobia
itskay24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Murder and Addiction
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Death
arelkins12'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping
kelsoups'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
2.75
Graphic: Murder, Addiction, Drug use, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Torture, Gun violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Infertility, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Racism, Religious bigotry, Transphobia, Pregnancy, and Police brutality
meganjoy16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Car accident, Addiction, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Toxic relationship, Death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Infertility, and Child death
hopemarie_f_hughes's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
At first, it reminded me of Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware. There are some similarities such as the nanny/babysitter and supernatural elements, but Rekulak made this a story all his own. Once you meet Mallory, Teddy, Caroline, and Ted, you’ll want to finish their story to the bitter end.
Spoiler
When we found out Teddy was a girl who had been kidnapped, my mind was BLOWN. I knew there was some sort of ghost/spirit involved, but I never would have guessed it was the dead mother. And it just keeps getting crazier after that when you find out about Caroline and Ted’s abduction story. I also like that the supernatural element wasn’t proven wrong but just added to the story as “anya” helped to kill Caroline and protect Mallory and Teddy at the end.Graphic: Kidnapping, Death, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Grief, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent