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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like the idea of this book but it just wasn't very good and there was no twist at all. It was pretty clear what was happening. Very disappointing.
This was not a thriller, but I’m not sure what it was. The plot and pacing and tone were so at odds for each other. I kept waiting for it to turn into SOMETHING that made sense, a dark fantastic witch coven or a mad scientist’s insane experiment or some sort of cyberpunk alternative 1980s grungy noir.
And don’t say “inspired by true events” if you’re not going to expand upon that at all. What was true? The amnesia, the mirror twins, the New Age child p*rn sex cult?
Looking back with the knowledge that we have at the end of the book, everything makes LESS sense than it did as it was happening. I don’t know what I wanted. The literary lens that she put over everything dimmed things to the point of obfuscation, I had no clue how I was supposed to be feeling or what I was supposed to be expecting—but not in a thrilling way. In the kind of way where I kind of expected it to be revealed that they were trapped in a weird circus or being hunted by magical gangsters. Maybe that’s my fault, though.
And don’t say “inspired by true events” if you’re not going to expand upon that at all. What was true? The amnesia, the mirror twins, the New Age child p*rn sex cult?
Looking back with the knowledge that we have at the end of the book, everything makes LESS sense than it did as it was happening. I don’t know what I wanted. The literary lens that she put over everything dimmed things to the point of obfuscation, I had no clue how I was supposed to be feeling or what I was supposed to be expecting—but not in a thrilling way. In the kind of way where I kind of expected it to be revealed that they were trapped in a weird circus or being hunted by magical gangsters. Maybe that’s my fault, though.
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Initially, this was a slow start and was kind of confusing, but about 50-60% in, things start making more sense as the story unfolds. I wouldn't really describe this as a thriller; it honestly felt more like a family drama. There are touches of horror as one of the main characters uncovers the truth, but unfortunately, I wasn't super wow'd by this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
cults
Interesting concept, but I wasn’t that into it. Could’ve been written a bit better such that I was more invested in the characters. Very mad hatter-esque, but not that exciting.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced