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lifethroughamicroscope's review against another edition
2.0
The book was long winded and I found the book to try and justify what the person did, I don’t wanna say anything because it would give spoilers but the book is just a dark book about past & present of the character and what they went through. The book didn’t keep me interested and I found it a chore to actually read it especially with the ending. I would reach for it again
lavins's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars
This book is not a thriller, it is not a mystery and there is no suspense.
It is a very dark, somber story about a kid that kills another kid. And just to make sure you get this straight, the author repeats that about 10 times in the first pages.
The book has two timelines, the timeline with Chrissie, the eight years old girl who is beyond mean, she is cruel, rude, mean, selfish. She is biting, pinching, hurting (physically and otherwise) all the other kids and sometimes the adults. And Julia (Chrissie with a changed name 15 years later). The two stories are trying to explain and justify Chrissie actions.
I will never encourage or rate highly a book about a kid who enjoys killing other kids. I do not care about the circumstances, the abuse or anything else. There is no excuse.
Nor do I buy the ending where the person is completely rehabilitated and a great mother.
This book is not a thriller, it is not a mystery and there is no suspense.
It is a very dark, somber story about a kid that kills another kid. And just to make sure you get this straight, the author repeats that about 10 times in the first pages.
The book has two timelines, the timeline with Chrissie, the eight years old girl who is beyond mean, she is cruel, rude, mean, selfish. She is biting, pinching, hurting (physically and otherwise) all the other kids and sometimes the adults. And Julia (Chrissie with a changed name 15 years later). The two stories are trying to explain and justify Chrissie actions.
I will never encourage or rate highly a book about a kid who enjoys killing other kids. I do not care about the circumstances, the abuse or anything else. There is no excuse.
Nor do I buy the ending where the person is completely rehabilitated and a great mother.
erinlcrane's review against another edition
4.0
The cover of this one doesn’t really tell you what you’re in for, but the first chapter does! I’m not sure how this should be classified, thriller or horror or something, but on the literary side. It’s very slow and more of a character study on how neglect and abuse affect a child’s mind.
I found Chrissie’s perspective the most interesting, and I was just so impressed by the way the author got into her mindset in a believable way. Sometimes stories grab onto trauma and mental illness for easy storytelling purposes, but here it felt thoroughly explored. I couldn’t say how well it was done as someone who hasn’t experienced any of this, but it felt nuanced and sympathetic.
My main complaint is just that it was too long. It would’ve been sharper for me as a shorter book. It was also overwritten for me at times, but I would say I mostly enjoyed the style. Descriptive usually in a unique, helpful way.
I found Chrissie’s perspective the most interesting, and I was just so impressed by the way the author got into her mindset in a believable way. Sometimes stories grab onto trauma and mental illness for easy storytelling purposes, but here it felt thoroughly explored. I couldn’t say how well it was done as someone who hasn’t experienced any of this, but it felt nuanced and sympathetic.
My main complaint is just that it was too long. It would’ve been sharper for me as a shorter book. It was also overwritten for me at times, but I would say I mostly enjoyed the style. Descriptive usually in a unique, helpful way.
dhonings's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kaios_13's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most thought provoking books I’ve read about childhood, loss of innocence, abuse, and what happens when you grow out of those experiences into something new and better. I enjoyed this book immensely.
alannabreanne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Murder
hannah_allen's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- 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
2.5