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ashleyannehayes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
michaelbereading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Jessica, a social worker discovers the frozen bodies of two missing foster sisters in her mother's basement freezer. As she investigates the tragic case, she uncovers dark secrets about her mother and the lives of the victims, forcing her to confront her own past and the woman she thought she knew.
This was such an interesting concept, and it was short with great pacing. My problem lies with the end. It was just so flat, to the point that I had to look up an explanation because I thought I missed something. Very disappointed with the ending because up until then I was really enjoying this unique and dark thriller. One aspect that I really liked was the setting of Vancouver's troubled downtown east side and how Jessica's social work background added a really important social commentary.
This was such an interesting concept, and it was short with great pacing. My problem lies with the end. It was just so flat, to the point that I had to look up an explanation because I thought I missed something. Very disappointed with the ending because up until then I was really enjoying this unique and dark thriller. One aspect that I really liked was the setting of Vancouver's troubled downtown east side and how Jessica's social work background added a really important social commentary.
eldritchreader's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed what this book was trying to do. Uncovering the "real" story of the background and leadup to the death of two young, Asian girls who end up in the foster system. How it affects the different people involved and how stories can get twisted along the way.
And yet I just wasn't sold. Maybe it was the audio that I didn't enjoy - I just can't sink into narration that includes music and sound effects? Or maybe it was the writing style which depicted what was happening but didn't have me really engaging with the tragic things that were happening to characters. Maybe it was the multiple perspectives and bouncing around the different timelines.
Either way, I wasn't engaged in this story the way I feel I should have been.
And yet I just wasn't sold. Maybe it was the audio that I didn't enjoy - I just can't sink into narration that includes music and sound effects? Or maybe it was the writing style which depicted what was happening but didn't have me really engaging with the tragic things that were happening to characters. Maybe it was the multiple perspectives and bouncing around the different timelines.
Either way, I wasn't engaged in this story the way I feel I should have been.
amyw_97's review against another edition
3.0
It was not a bad book. I really like the setting of the story -- the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver is so complex, has so many facets to it, that I was glad to see it included in this story (and maybe it's because I'm from Vancouver...).
This book could've been done in many different ways. I found myself wishing there was more done with it. The random romance thrown in was not my favourite-- it felt forced and unnecessary (not to mention, unprofessional/unrealistic). The MC was not my favourite either, I did not like the way she kept having stereotypical masculine ideas about a man. It let a sour taste in my mouth.
I just felt like the book was a little disappointing and I did not have any closure. There were so many questions unanswered, a few holes here and there. It was a lot of ideas thrown together. I'm still so lost.
This book could've been done in many different ways. I found myself wishing there was more done with it. The random romance thrown in was not my favourite-- it felt forced and unnecessary (not to mention, unprofessional/unrealistic). The MC was not my favourite either, I did not like the way she kept having stereotypical masculine ideas about a man. It let a sour taste in my mouth.
I just felt like the book was a little disappointing and I did not have any closure. There were so many questions unanswered, a few holes here and there. It was a lot of ideas thrown together. I'm still so lost.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
1.0
The Conjoined by Jen Sookfong Lee is one of the worst books I have read this year. Jessica Campbell’s mother, Donna has passed away. Jessica and her father, Gerry are clearing out her things (especially all the health food they cannot stand). Gerry goes downstairs to clear out the freezers (you just know what he is going to find) and finds a body. Detective Chris Gallo comes in to lead the investigation and the forensic team soon finds a second body. Jessica suspects that they are two foster children that disappeared years ago. How did they end up in the freezers? Could her mother have killed them? Jessica is determined to get to the bottom of the story. Jessica must look to the past to get answers. Will she be able to find out the truth?
The Conjoined was a strange story with a disappointing ending. The story focuses on Jessica, her search for answers, and her relationship with her boyfriend, Trevor. The novel is disjointed and jumps around making it hard to read. It starts in the present, then goes back in time, then forward, then back. I felt like a yo-yo. I persevered and kept reading though. I get to the end and I am disappointed (upset, disgusted and so much more). The novel has foul language (too much of it) and intimate scenes. I give The Conjoined 1 out of 5 stars (I really did not like it). Jessica was not a likeable character. She is with Trevor, but spends her time fantasizing about Detective Chris Gallo (and drinking too much alcohol). The Conjoined was just not for me.
The Conjoined was a strange story with a disappointing ending. The story focuses on Jessica, her search for answers, and her relationship with her boyfriend, Trevor. The novel is disjointed and jumps around making it hard to read. It starts in the present, then goes back in time, then forward, then back. I felt like a yo-yo. I persevered and kept reading though. I get to the end and I am disappointed (upset, disgusted and so much more). The novel has foul language (too much of it) and intimate scenes. I give The Conjoined 1 out of 5 stars (I really did not like it). Jessica was not a likeable character. She is with Trevor, but spends her time fantasizing about Detective Chris Gallo (and drinking too much alcohol). The Conjoined was just not for me.
littlewitchreading's review against another edition
4.0
There's a whole lot to unpack in this one, the whole book exists in a kind of gray area. Will definitely be thinking about this for a while. All kinds of trigger warnings on this one too. It definitely does not wrap up nice and neat so know that going in.
shannalo's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
carb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gleefulreader's review against another edition
1.0
There are topics that should make for a thought-provoking book. In this case, the discovery of the bodies of two girls that went missing from foster care system nearly 30 years earlier.
But then an author inserts enough belief-straining melodrama to fill a 1,000 page book, never mind 268 pages, that the book becomes a hot mess (including a chapter attempting to normalize the relationship between a 37 yo man & a 14 yo girl). A wasted opportunity.
But then an author inserts enough belief-straining melodrama to fill a 1,000 page book, never mind 268 pages, that the book becomes a hot mess (including a chapter attempting to normalize the relationship between a 37 yo man & a 14 yo girl). A wasted opportunity.