hxppyhxt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Blood, Torture, Pregnancy, Suicide, Body horror, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
paronomaniac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Blood, and Torture
Moderate: Gun violence, Pedophilia, Violence, Suicide, Dementia, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Car accident
nikimorr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My favorite part of the book was the beginning. A mother and son, both of whom are trying to do their best for each other. I really loved their bond and their struggles. I couldn’t wait to get off work to rejoin them in this story, especially for the first ~100 pages. The power of a mother’s love resonates through every chapter, beginning to end.
It is a long book, but I never really got tired of it. I think part of the enjoyment comes from different character perspectives in short chapters. My favorite type of book is from various points of view.
There is a lot of religion in this book. I was not raised in a religious environment, so I would not be surprised to learn that there was a lot more to get from these parts, especially from Mary Katherine. I struggled with liking her character, but what I did gather from her message (spoiler) is that she goes from the side of religion that is focused on being perfect/fear to what the true goal should be - love. I am still pondering the meaning of her pregnancy (besides the “Virgin Mary” reference).
Spoiler - I found the ending of the book to be quite wonderful. What resonated with me is that the true Hell comes from within - especially with our own guilt and not letting go. We create our own hell. The only freedom can come from within and forgiving ourselves. Also, the importance of coming from a place of love and forgiveness, even with those who have done wrong. Finally, recognizing when we are wrong and working to fix/repent. It ended up being a very positive book with a worthwhile message.
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Violence, Death, Murder, Suicide, and Torture
finn_vibing's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Gore, Cursing, Car accident, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Body horror, Death of parent, Animal death, Death, Child death, Grief, Self harm, Gun violence, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Suicide, Sexual harassment, War, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Animal cruelty
lizkoroskenyi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Fine but pretentious. I enjoyed the story up until the halfway mark and then wondered why he couldn't just wrap it up and be done? Why did it need to be over 700 pages?
It felt very much like he was trying to write a Stephen King book. Especially with the unneeded deep backgrounds on every single character and super long, unnecessary drawn out scenes.
There were so many statements that felt like they were supposed to be profound but really weren't. It read more like Christian horror fanfiction than anything deep and complex.
Every other line was a simile or a metaphor and it got VERY sickening very quickly. Especially since they were mostly terrible.
Also what is up with the author's obsession with the cool side of the pillow? It must have come up at least a hundred times.
Moderate: Child death and Torture
Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
theimposter'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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Murder, Sexual violence, Confinement, Physical abuse, War, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Self harm, Suicide, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Forced institutionalization, Alcoholism, Body horror, Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual assault, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, and Medical trauma
Minor: Dementia, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Cursing, Drug abuse, Religious bigotry, Addiction, Chronic illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
rcd229'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
4.5
Graphic: Incest, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Gore, Death of parent, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Violence, Mental illness, Child abuse, Child death, Religious bigotry, and Suicide
Moderate: Gun violence, Domestic abuse, and Torture
Minor: Drug use, Miscarriage, and Bullying
alisonfaith426's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicide, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Grief, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Alcoholism, and Cursing
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, and Medical content
Minor: Pregnancy and Sexual content
sarahkmcl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Self harm, Pregnancy, Death, Child death, Body horror, Physical abuse, Murder, Child abuse, Torture, Gun violence, Gore, Emotional abuse, Car accident, and Blood
linneak's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Car accident, Child death, Confinement, Death, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Medical content, Violence, Torture, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Physical abuse, Stalking, Alcoholism, Bullying, Gun violence, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy