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giraffeinabookstore's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kgmay25's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25
thebookishbint's review against another edition
4.0
4.8
There will times where it was a bit slow. At the same time, it had me hooked. Wynter is the star of this book. Those who are interested in cults, this is next read.
There will times where it was a bit slow. At the same time, it had me hooked. Wynter is the star of this book. Those who are interested in cults, this is next read.
sccrkid85's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
luminous's review against another edition
3.0
Fabulous concept. I don't know a lot about cults, but the cult portion seemed realistic. The antagonist was a letdown, though as an example of banal evil (is there any worse?) I guess it works. I was hoping for the antagonist's goals to be described in more detail regarding the disease, as I either missed them entirely by skimming over them or they really weren't given to us.
The meat of the plot is your basic pick up and deliver quest. Probably the first half of that journey was a little dull, but it doesn't comprise more than maybe 10-15% of the book.
Protagonist, Wynter, was very likeable, and realistic except in that everything she is taught while on the run/journey she is instantly good at. I'm thinking here of challenging driving conditions, firearms, and physical self-defense. However, there was a realistic consequence of firearms use that I was happy to see. But by the end I was cringing at how capable she was after having just been shown moves once. I guess it's hard to strike a balance between "utterly helpless woman," which we don't want, and "Mary Sue." Also having her fail a bit at those challenges would have made the book longer.
Being a thriller, it's fast paced. I found the pace too breezy for the first half. Or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for the pace. I didn't feel like I was nestling in for a filling read, you know? But it's definitely skillfully written.
Characters lack differentiation in personality. TBH the most interesting one is the minor character Ara. I guess this book is more all about the plot.
There's also some romance, but it's understated and nothing graphic. There are a lot of sexually threatening situations, but again nothing graphic. This is an apocalyptic book that does not go in for major violence or disturbing brutality, and I was glad for that.
The meat of the plot is your basic pick up and deliver quest. Probably the first half of that journey was a little dull, but it doesn't comprise more than maybe 10-15% of the book.
Protagonist, Wynter, was very likeable, and realistic except in that everything she is taught while on the run/journey she is instantly good at. I'm thinking here of challenging driving conditions, firearms, and physical self-defense. However, there was a realistic consequence of firearms use that I was happy to see. But by the end I was cringing at how capable she was after having just been shown moves once. I guess it's hard to strike a balance between "utterly helpless woman," which we don't want, and "Mary Sue." Also having her fail a bit at those challenges would have made the book longer.
Being a thriller, it's fast paced. I found the pace too breezy for the first half. Or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for the pace. I didn't feel like I was nestling in for a filling read, you know? But it's definitely skillfully written.
Characters lack differentiation in personality. TBH the most interesting one is the minor character Ara. I guess this book is more all about the plot.
There's also some romance, but it's understated and nothing graphic. There are a lot of sexually threatening situations, but again nothing graphic. This is an apocalyptic book that does not go in for major violence or disturbing brutality, and I was glad for that.
natdotzip's review against another edition
5.0
Listen. If you rated this book below five stars your opinion is wrong.
bean_season's review
Read for book club, not my favorite genre. The author is super awesome! She came to talk with us and is very nice, smart, and cool!
ashjambud's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
teresaalice's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 stars. A good premise and interesting characters but all the God talk was a bit much for my atheist heart.
mrsmonstargh's review against another edition
challenging
tense
3.75
There were no warnings for the pandemic content. I wasn't prepared for it.
Also a little shocking to hear the word "spastically" being used to describe something, especially in a book from 2019.
Also a little shocking to hear the word "spastically" being used to describe something, especially in a book from 2019.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Pandemic/Epidemic