clotalksbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It is an incredibly dark story, with really difficult themes. It goes in unexpected ways, and reveals information in drips so you are never entirely clear of the full picture. You can't predict it all, especially because of just how many threads there are. It isnt a short book, and is quite the commitment! I wasn't bored at any point though.
The inclusion of endometriosis took me by surprise, as a sufferer myself I wasn't expecting it. Good for it to get a bit of recognition.
The writing is good, with the descriptions really allowing you to visualise the scenes. Though sometimes that isn't something I wanted haha
Overall, I wanted to see where the story went, but won't be listening to again. This is not a feel-good read, so be prepared for darkness.
Graphic: Child abuse and Murder
deynon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Car accident, Murder, Death, Sexual content, Rape, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Animal death, Alcoholism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Terminal illness, Emotional abuse, Vomit, and Toxic relationship
ethanbungay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Child abuse
sarahna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Car accident, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Fatphobia, Grief, Incest, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
ren97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infertility, Gun violence, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, and Murder
Minor: Toxic relationship, Cancer, and Drug use
edgwareviabank's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While I'm very familiar with the Harry Hole series and its patterns, I never know what to expect from Nesbø's standalone novels. Sure enough, The Kingdom surprised me in ways I wasn't expecting: I struggled with it a lot at the start, considered dropping it, and ended up completely hooked.
Part of what may put off some readers is also the book' s very strength. The plot is rather slow to kick in, and some of the darkest secrets at its core are revealed within the first quarter. At times, it felt like the book was demanding more from me than it was giving: pages and pages dissecting the most traumatic events the two main characters went through as kids, and barely a hint of where the story may be going next, made it hard for me to decide whether to stick with it (I hardly ever give up on books) or save myself more potentially upsetting pages.
The more I read, the more I realised that it all was paying off: Nesbø taking his time to introduce the characters and describe life present and past at the small village of Os means that, by the time the plot picks up pace and a set of mysteries becomes the main focus, the reader can really understand the psychology of all the people involved. It was fascinating to get to know these complex, morally ambiguous characters; no one's easy to love, it's impossible to find their good sides without also being completely aware of bad things they've done. Roy, the narrator, is a prime example, and, for good and for bad, the most compelling character of all.
A good chunk of the story is based on the idea of history repeating, which also works very well, also thanks to the care Nesbø put in setting up the plot with flashbacks early on. I appreciated the mysteries set in the present more than the ones surfacing from the past (fairly easy to guess, and fully explained quite early on), but there's no understanding the former without the latter.
I'm still hoping for a new Harry Hole novel, as the series is what I most like about Nesbø's work, but I'm really glad I gave this book a chance even when I doubted I could read all the way through.
Moderate: Child abuse, Incest, and Sexual violence
srm's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I've seen this compared to various mysteries and noirs, but honestly, more than anything, I think it has a strong East of Eden vibe.
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness