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born_reading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, and Alcohol
madanxiety's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
This may be the most disturbing book I've ever read. No, actually, I've read Night by Elie Wiesel and a few different narratives of formerly enslaved people. Maybe it's the most disturbing fiction book I've ever read. That doesn't say a whole lot since I know there are much more disturbing books--I'm of the mind that there are too many real-life horrors to stomach fictional ones too. For that reason, I was going to quit the book halfway through, which I don't think I've ever done, if
I'm skeptical about the implications of these kind of books in the same way that I'm skeptical of the true crime genre. I think these things sensationalize interpersonal violence and organized crime, weaving these horrific-yet-juicy narratives that ultimately (1) distract from the state-sanctioned violence that's infinitely more rampant in the US and the world at large, and (2) teach the common people to be fearful of each other, squashing our ability to build trusting community support networks.
I'd have given it 5 stars if it was a more explicit commentary
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Vomit
Minor: Pregnancy
natmar_23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, and Pregnancy
ashleycote's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cancer, Drug use, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Pregnancy
redefiningrachel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy
jgwags's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
taelights's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
However, it kind of lost me in the second half. The first half focused on the topics I liked. It had great pacing and tension, moments that had me on the edge of my seat, and so many intriguing characters and choices.
The second half had potential because exploring the aftermath of the trauma could have been super interesting but it went in a totally different direction than what I wanted. I thought what the author decided to go with was super unrealistic and overdramatic. Also the characterization of the person running the Chain was just so bad lol.
Also, I thought the ending was
Anyways this could have been a 5 star read but unfortunately the second half of the book knocked it down to a 4 star for me.
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy
mkwreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Pregnancy
thevampirecharlotte's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Pregnancy