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gymjam_reads's review
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really got into this story and throughout I kept thinking to myself 'yes, there's probably going to be a lot of books like this now where authors use the COVID pandemic as inspiration', it was only when I finished I saw the publishing date was 2019..! A town gets infected by an unknown virus that causes its victims to fall into a deep, unwakeable sleep. My favourite concept of this book was prodding into the theory that time is on another tangent in dreams and exploring the depth of unconsciousness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Medical content and Death
thealmightykatt's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This book was somewhat difficult to read after experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Drug use and Car accident
dumitia's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Suicide
mandi_lea's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pregnancy, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Confinement, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Police brutality
notlikethebeer's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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? No
4.25
A fun fact about me is that I have a tattoo inspired by Karen Thompson Walker's previous book (The Age of Miracles). A fun fact about Karen Thompson Walker is that she appears to be some kind of clairvoyant. I had to check multiple times, but this book was indeed written in 2019, aka The Before Times - and yet, managed to describe freakily well what it would be like to live through a pandemic. Even down to the use of the word "super-spreader" and the weird conspiracy theories! Anyway. Covid comparisons aside, this was a really beautifully written book, with a cast of varied and interesting characters. Truly excellent storytelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic and Death
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