applepieandeve's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gaslighting, Torture, Confinement, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
fieryfred's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, and Sexual content
emsbooks92's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Child abuse
ansolutisti's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Somehow the flow between timelines was a bit inconvenient which made the reading experience a bit less good, but otherwise it was an interesting book with dark details and graphic description of violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content
notlikethebeer's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was an interesting concept, mostly because it was a psychological thriller where there was no clear 'whodunit': you know, practically even from the blurb, who is responsible. And yet, there are still some great twists and turns, and some moments that catch you by surprise. I'm not sure I'd say it had many complete jaw-dropping moments, as some of the major reveals I did somewhat suspect, but it was still really enjoyable. I also enjoyed that it somewhat played with perceptions of victimhood, in a way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Child death
denijaaa_s's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Confinement, Child death, Child abuse, Murder, Torture, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Mental illness
isabellamae's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Minor: Death of parent
elosie's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0
A sad and heavy read but gripping and very human
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
lorees_reading_nook's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Real rating 3.2
“You can endure an awful lot when you know that you’ll be fed at the end of it.”
I thought that the writing was good and atmospheric, the characters well-defined. There were enough things left unsaid for me to remain curious and continue reading.
The twist was concealed well and I only guessed it a few pages in advance. But, being a thriller, I expected more tension and a bigger dose of horror (perhaps I’m a glutton for self-inflicted punishment). This was pretty good for a debut novel but it didn’t provide the spine-chilling moments that I expect from this genre. I enjoyed this book but didn’t love it. Fans of Lisa Jewel’s “The Family Upstairs” will likely appreciate this book immensely.
“That was the problem with coming home: you also had to come to the self which resided there.”
“You can endure an awful lot when you know that you’ll be fed at the end of it.”
I thought that the writing was good and atmospheric, the characters well-defined. There were enough things left unsaid for me to remain curious and continue reading.
The twist was concealed well and I only guessed it a few pages in advance. But, being a thriller, I expected more tension and a bigger dose of horror (perhaps I’m a glutton for self-inflicted punishment). This was pretty good for a debut novel but it didn’t provide the spine-chilling moments that I expect from this genre. I enjoyed this book but didn’t love it. Fans of Lisa Jewel’s “The Family Upstairs” will likely appreciate this book immensely.
“That was the problem with coming home: you also had to come to the self which resided there.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
entropydoc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Child abuse, Violence, and Child death