shereadsmysteries's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Ableism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Gaslighting, Alcohol, Misogyny, Rape, and Stalking
Minor: Vomit, Eating disorder, Abandonment, and Abortion
Ableism: Discussions of keeping/terminating a pregnancy where child could be disabled; Abortion: discussion only; Child death: Stillbirth; Rape: False rape allegations_mack_jack_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
it was out best by another review i saw: yet another book choosing to subvert expectations with a nonsensical twist instead of giving the plot and characters the follow-through they earned. this book was a page-turner but ultimately lackluster.
what i wanted from the book initially was to be shocked and to have my expectations subverted. as i learned more about the characters, i wanted to see the natural conclusion come about. i think the author focused on shock value over realism when coming up with plot points. the complexities of the characters, specifically the men, are unexplored to their fullest because the author takes them off course at random. the women are flawed and emotional humans, which is always good to see, but emma specifically is written to be almost a villain as the book progresses. at first it was a captivating twist, but again the path it took broke my suspension of disbelief.
did i enjoy reading it? yes. would i recommend it? no.
what i wanted from the book initially was to be shocked and to have my expectations subverted. as i learned more about the characters, i wanted to see the natural conclusion come about. i think the author focused on shock value over realism when coming up with plot points. the complexities of the characters, specifically the men, are unexplored to their fullest because the author takes them off course at random. the women are flawed and emotional humans, which is always good to see, but emma specifically is written to be almost a villain as the book progresses. at first it was a captivating twist, but again the path it took broke my suspension of disbelief.
did i enjoy reading it? yes. would i recommend it? no.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Murder, Miscarriage, Eating disorder, Child death, Animal death, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Medical trauma
parttimerarebookdealer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
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