Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

75 reviews

ajsj456's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping

Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, and Drug use

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

cardanrry's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Cancer, Addiction, and Drug use

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

ashareadsbooks's review

dark 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? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Confinement, and Violence

Moderate: Drug use, Addiction, Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, and Death of parent

julienicole1106's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug use, Kidnapping, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

marisa_thorne's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

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

azariah_k's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

1.5

If I found this book in late middle school I'm sure I would've loved it, but it's not doing it for me now. Overall I was disappointed with how this really cool premise was executed. Everything felt "because the book says so", especially the villain reveal. I've never rolled my eyes and had to put down a book out of sheer disappointment before, but when "the scene" happens I put the book down and didn't touch it for two days.

the way she just decides to start dating Rachel's ex? Really? You've got a whole criminal enterprise you've been running for decades and make decisions like this? And bring the kid? Jesus Christ, dude.

, the romantic subplot felt forced. The only likable character for me was Kylie, and only because she was the only person who acted in a realistic way. 
This felt like it should've been a much longer book, in it's current form it felt like fanfic, but like, wattpad mafia "your folks sold you to Harry Styles but then you were kidnapped so he's saving you" kind of fanfic. 
I don't regret buying this, somehow, probably because of the premise itself, but I'm probably never going to open this book again. It'll be a craft project at some point, I'm sure. 
One star for the premise. Half a star for Kylie. Only redeeming feature of this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Drug use