so_tru's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse
joyematt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The cult aspect of the book was well done, though I did skim a bit of the more jargon-heavy parts, just having a feeling they wouldn't really matter in the end. Reading Robin's chapters really got to me and I did dread reading some of them just from the descriptions of the abuse and all the disturbing stuff. I did find myself feeling a lot of anxiety for her.
One of the main things I like about this series is the Strike and Robin relationship which was missing a bit from this one for obvious reasons. We did get them back together, which was nice, but a little too late for me.
Overall, the world building of the cult was extremely well done. The book was very readable, despite being too long. The mystery was good and unpredictable, in my opinion. Main characters were good; I'm glad we got more Pat in this one.
I used to love this series. I still do, I guess, but JK makes it really hard to separate her from her writing. I have only gotten books of hers in recent years from the library or second-hand. Really trying not to give her any more money.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicide, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Murder, Stalking, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Suicide, Child abuse, Trafficking, Self harm, and Sexual assault
booksandcats's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Suicide, Child death, Dementia, Pregnancy, Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Murder and Trafficking
lizzyf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Suicide, Pregnancy, Violence, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Confinement, Death, Trafficking, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Sexual assault
hugsowls'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
4.75
Graphic: Pregnancy, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Trafficking, Torture, Suicide, Rape, Physical abuse, Murder, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Slavery, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Death, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Grief, Confinement, Child death, Child abuse, Bullying, and Blood
kitpotter's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Incest, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Dementia
wifeslife'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
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Self harm, Cancer, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Death, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Suicide, Sexual assault, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Child death, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
froukjereads's review against another edition
3.5
I read it to see where she would take Cormoran and Robin, and I’ll give her some stars for that. It was much better than the ink-black heart, and I love Strike and Robin as much as I hate the author.
I feel like JKR needs to stop putting her real life grievances into her books (last time it was cancel culture, now she has
Spoiler
conflated a scientology-like cult with woke ideologyGraphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Confinement, Dementia, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Child abuse, Violence, Child death, Miscarriage, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Pregnancy, Trafficking, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
I cannot believe the number of content warnings I have had to add to this book.ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I always wonder if RG/JKR's author is just too terrified to ever suggest an edit, but even at this ginormous length, I'm not sure there's anything I would have cut, as it all felt like absolutely being immersed in the detective agency's world the whole time I was reading.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Child death
bonnie92's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Moderate: Physical abuse, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Mental illness, and Pedophilia