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siobhanward's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
NYT Notable Books 2020: 18/100
This was a cool idea but it felt like it lacked in execution. The murder and set up were interesting, and I found the first couple chapters were great, but as the story continued and moved through more POVs, it started to get muddled and confusing. I appreciate what Onda was going for, but it felt like the multiple POVs just made things feel confusing, especially as things moved back and forth through time. Some of this is definitely personal preference, since I don't love multi-POVs or time jumps, but the premise was solid, which makes me want to read more from Onda.
This was a cool idea but it felt like it lacked in execution. The murder and set up were interesting, and I found the first couple chapters were great, but as the story continued and moved through more POVs, it started to get muddled and confusing. I appreciate what Onda was going for, but it felt like the multiple POVs just made things feel confusing, especially as things moved back and forth through time. Some of this is definitely personal preference, since I don't love multi-POVs or time jumps, but the premise was solid, which makes me want to read more from Onda.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Child death and Suicide
hmetwade's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
caelangm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Minor: Emotional abuse
brea's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, and Murder
lilifane's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
There seem to be two kinds of Japanese novels for me. Either I love them from the first to the last page... or I love them until about 85% of the book and then the endings disappoints me. This one falls under the second category, I fear.
I really enjoyed it for the most part. Spent the whole day reading and couldn't put it down because I was so intrigued by the story and the way it was told. Loved the atmosphere. The characters and plot were fascinating. I enjoyed the writing style and the themes. But then the ending... ah, I felt let down. Or maybe I just didn't understand it. Which would also be disappointing.
I really enjoyed it for the most part. Spent the whole day reading and couldn't put it down because I was so intrigued by the story and the way it was told. Loved the atmosphere. The characters and plot were fascinating. I enjoyed the writing style and the themes. But then the ending... ah, I felt let down. Or maybe I just didn't understand it. Which would also be disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
j_squaredd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, Vomit, Death of parent, and Murder
tiemzahra's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
In 1960s, 17 people died of cyanide poisoning in Aosawa house party, leaving the blind daughter, Hisako as the only survivor. The police was convinced that Hisako was the culprit, despite her very young age when the tragedy happened, even by the author of the bestselling book of the murder who was Hisako’s childhood friend. The mystery was narrated through testimonies of different people; family members, witnesses, neighbours, investigators, and Hisako herself.
This book is cryptic, and the mystery is fascinating, but I think this book is strictly not for me due to the ambiguous ending. I also needed an exceptional focus to read this book, and by the end of reading this, I was exhausted. It’s another thing that this book has a confusing ending, it’s another when the whole process left me baffling. As I own a physical copy, I feel obligated to finish reading, but any other situation, I probably have DNF-ed it.
This book suits readers who love mysterious and dark fiction with different approach in thriller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Child death and Mental illness
Minor: Child abuse and Suicide
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
georgiarose710's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
akira_outofthegravity's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is not a whodunnit, despite the subject matter. This is the tale of three children who witness the aftermath of the mass murder of a prestigious and rich family via a case of poisoned fizzy juice- the sole survivor being the inhabitants blind daughter. No one ever confessed, and the case went cold.
This book dives into the aftermath for all who were affected, the three siblings who stumbled upon the scene and who had been there last, the daughter who was left alive, the newspapers, journalists, and public. It’s never explicitly stated who committed the murders (though it’s heavily implied) but it goes to show that a tragedy affects not only the people closest, but a whole community. This is a very sad novel, but one that I enjoyed reading.
This book dives into the aftermath for all who were affected, the three siblings who stumbled upon the scene and who had been there last, the daughter who was left alive, the newspapers, journalists, and public. It’s never explicitly stated who committed the murders (though it’s heavily implied) but it goes to show that a tragedy affects not only the people closest, but a whole community. This is a very sad novel, but one that I enjoyed reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, and Murder