blewballoon'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Child death, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Drug use, and Gun violence
m4rtt4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Grief, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
whewtaewoon's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence and Drug abuse
Minor: Child abuse
strongsun'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Classism, Death of parent, Drug use, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Infidelity, and Gun violence
emily_mh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Death, Child death, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Violence, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Medical content, Ableism, Kidnapping, Animal death, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Gun violence, War, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Blood, Addiction, Drug use, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Vomit, Grief, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Racism, Suicide, and Stalking
Child birth, explosions, adoption, loss of a loved one (friend, aunt), illnesscoolbeancat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, and Pregnancy
mariekejee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
It's entertaining - but as a YA novel with teenagers as protagonists, it's also a bit horrifying. I'm usually not too bothered by people dying in these typical mystery novels (I was promised murder and I will be disappointed if I don't <i>get</i> murder, ya hear me), but the idea that two kids died in such an awful, sad way is horrifying.
I enjoyed the flashbacks to 1936, and getting to know these characters involved in the Ellingham case. The David plot line/romance is still a bit hit-or-miss for me (although I am such a sucker for the "two people are fighting but they're trapped somewhere and might not get out so they need to sort out their shit" trope). Stevie is still an irresponsible little shit sometimes and I don't understand how these adults don't keep her locked up somewhere but it makes for a fun read, at least. Speaking of irresponsible: what is the deal with Germaine? The story wants me to believe she
Oh well, teenage antics aside, this was a good book. If you're into mystery stories and don't get queasy by a little underage murder, then I'd recommend this series. The cliffhangers are a bit unfair, but they kept me reading. The tension keeps building throughout the series and although it takes 1000 pages for the mystery to be completely resolved, it's worth it in the end and I'm glad I kept reading. Maybe I'll even pick up more of Johnson's books! Who knows.
Graphic: Murder, Kidnapping, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Confinement, and Death
Minor: Gun violence and Drug use
doriangay's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Grief, Drug use, Death, Confinement, and Alcoholism