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quixoposto's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I read this book shortly after visiting the Isle of Lewis. The descriptions of weather and landscape reinforced my recent visit and added more context.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
ochutchinson's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The An Sgier stuff was really wonderfully done although the rest of the prose didn't do it for me. A good grizzled-cop-comes-home-to-small-town-to-investigate-murder, digs-up-old-ghosts tropey read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, Vomit, and Medical content
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual assault
julieviiii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Actually very good in terms of plot (the mystery, the murder and what really happened in the main character's childhood were really well told), but I'm not a fan of how women are portrayed in this.
I loved the plot, the characters, the atmosphere was amazing but women either only have a role of a burden (Artair's mother after her heart attack), a seductress (Marsaili, all of Fin's girlfriends, Donna) or a one dimensional mother figure (Fin's mother who was barely mentioned or his aunt who was just described as "eccentric and cold").
The men on the other hand were really well written which makes me think this isn't just how the author writes characters, it's just how he writes women. (I'm hoping the rest of the trilogy isn't as male-based).
Other than this, I loved everything except the ending which felt flat and easy compared to the rest of the plot.
I loved the plot, the characters, the atmosphere was amazing but women either only have a role of a burden (Artair's mother after her heart attack), a seductress (Marsaili, all of Fin's girlfriends, Donna) or a one dimensional mother figure (Fin's mother who was barely mentioned or his aunt who was just described as "eccentric and cold").
The men on the other hand were really well written which makes me think this isn't just how the author writes characters, it's just how he writes women. (I'm hoping the rest of the trilogy isn't as male-based).
Other than this, I loved everything except the ending which felt flat and easy compared to the rest of the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, and Car accident