Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

28 reviews

megmccreery's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I thought this book had a very cool concept, but it fell flat for me. It became very repetitive, and the characters were super flat and boring. There were too many times that there was too much description and not enough plot progression. The cancer and heroin side shows were not entertaining, and I didn't think it did anything to support the characters or the plot. The second half of the book felt so disconnected from the first half and like a completely different book. 

The ending sucked because it's clearly just a man's idea of a woman's happy ending. Also everything that got them out of the mess in the end was just an act of convenience placed by the author. 

In conclusion, take it or leave it on this one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Cancer, Kidnapping, Child abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Child death

itshrewsbury's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An interesting new horror concept! The characters sometimes felt a little thin, but the thought behind the chain and its ties to internet chain messages is interesting. The second half of the book is much more interesting than the first half imo, but still worth a read. The short chapters and short diction of the writer help the pages fly by. 

16+

CW/TW: kidnapping, violence, murder, drug use and addiction, child abuse

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, and Child abuse

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Child death

autumnwhite's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Child death, Drug use, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Violence, Cancer, Chronic illness, Confinement, Drug abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Gun violence, Medical content, and Vomit

szpetot's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Child death, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Cancer, Drug abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Child abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Violence

jen1804's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really liked this book, despite its dark themes. It’s a tense story with a really interesting concept exploring the lengths families will go to if forced to protect a loved one.  I thought it was well written with decent twists and was well paced to keep me interested.
Satisfactory ending? Yes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Gun violence, and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism and Cancer

Minor: Abandonment

hilarylouise's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping and Cancer

Moderate: Murder, Death, Child death, and Death of parent

Minor: War

delaniraeann's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Drug abuse, Addiction, Drug use, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, and Murder

Minor: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Suicidal thoughts

keen's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

What a rollercoaster. There were times I was screaming quietly into the night at scenes that had me going "How will the characters get out of this??" I'm impressed by all the detail that went into locations and what different characters would know based on their culture, age, and life experiences. Seriously, as a 19 year old, I'm impressed with how well a 13-year-old girl  was written and how I was cheering her on. There were a few moments I went "I wish I was as cool as her when I was her age." There were parts of the book I had to repeatedly look up while saying to myself, "This seems familiar," before realizing I was a fool. Lovecraft fans should expect to see some small references here and there.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Cancer, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Confinement, and Death

Moderate: Child death, Blood, and Bullying

Minor: Domestic abuse and Vomit