fieryfred's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, and Sexual content
denijaaa_s's review
- 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
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Confinement, Child death, Child abuse, Murder, Torture, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Mental illness
annabunce's review
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Child death, Murder, Pregnancy, Death, Violence, Confinement, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
read_a_lottie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, Child abuse, Child death, and Violence
annabulkowski's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infertility, Medical content, Miscarriage, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Vomit, Child death, Excrement, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Stalking, and Sexual violence
emilycecilia's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Excrement, Misogyny, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
taylor95's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Child abuse, Mental illness, Child death, Murder, Death of parent, Death, Torture, Violence, and Gaslighting
laurenipsum's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
saz10's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
lhodgson26's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Spoiler
Ths was a deeply troubling crime thriller to read but very captivating and clever. Mainly told from Lex' perspective we see the extent of the horrific abuse she and the rest of her family were subjected too by her Father and the impact it has on the rest of their lives by being set in the past and the present. As well as the role the media plays in how they deal with their trauma. The abuse to begin with is very subtle and slowly increases up to the point where it is exponential with the chaining and the never ending days of abuse. By the end of the book you actually feel sorry for the mother as she was helpless, fragile and stuck in an abusive relationship with no escape with her children suffering and dying at the hands of their father. It all seems too good that Evie is living their dream of travelling Europe and sadly near the end we learn it is as Evie died from her injuries shortly after they were rescued. You feel proud of how well Lex turned out a successful solicitor working in NY and wanting to turn the home into a community centre to help everyone else. Compared to Ethan who uses the trauma to become powerful and manipulates the story as he was more involved in carrying out the abuse then subjected to it especially as we learn at the end.
Graphic: Child abuse and Murder