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schnaucl's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
4.0
The town makes more sense than it did before. In the first book it was implied there were all these unwritten rules you had to figure out and in this book it's made clear new residents are typically given an actual book of rules to memorize.
It's not clear to me why Pilcher thinks any of this will work psychologically. He's someone who derives an enormous sense of purpose from his work, yet the work he assigns the residents is so meaningless as to be almost completely pointless. Spending time reading sounds great, but the books are limited and I imagine there would be some concern about going through them in short order. Aside from teaching and maybe playing the piano nightly, it seems like most jobs only require people perform them a few times a year. So what is the point of even having a realtor or a hotel or lawyer (just the one ? Not even allowing for opposing counsel?).
It just seems like a massive blind spot in an otherwise carefully crafted plan. We're already studying the psychological effects of a trip to Mars and it's like it didn't occur to him that this kind of life would be hard for people not raised into it. It's this weird ground where everything is supposed to feel normal but isn't, but so many things are dictated from on high it's never going to seem normal.
I liked the Speakeasy, although you'd think it would be difficult to hide that many people moving after hours at once.
I'm not sure where Pilcher's hared off to. I completely buy that he'd take his ball and go home, except where is there to go unless there's another facility somewhere.
It's not clear to me why Pilcher thinks any of this will work psychologically. He's someone who derives an enormous sense of purpose from his work, yet the work he assigns the residents is so meaningless as to be almost completely pointless. Spending time reading sounds great, but the books are limited and I imagine there would be some concern about going through them in short order. Aside from teaching and maybe playing the piano nightly, it seems like most jobs only require people perform them a few times a year. So what is the point of even having a realtor or a hotel or lawyer (just the one ? Not even allowing for opposing counsel?).
It just seems like a massive blind spot in an otherwise carefully crafted plan. We're already studying the psychological effects of a trip to Mars and it's like it didn't occur to him that this kind of life would be hard for people not raised into it. It's this weird ground where everything is supposed to feel normal but isn't, but so many things are dictated from on high it's never going to seem normal.
I liked the Speakeasy, although you'd think it would be difficult to hide that many people moving after hours at once.
I'm not sure where Pilcher's hared off to. I completely buy that he'd take his ball and go home, except where is there to go unless there's another facility somewhere.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Gaslighting, and Violence
Minor: Torture, Gore, and Suicide
fkshg8465's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There was one unanswered question I had from Pines. Wayward gave an answer without any details, but I was happy to accept the premise as-is. The ending was unexpected (not the resolution of this book, but the opening into the third book). Eager to get the third one started!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Violence, Deportation, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Cannibalism, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Stalking, and Torture
piscespnwmama's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Gaslighting
Moderate: Medical trauma
markguitar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Violence, Death, Torture, Gore, Murder, and Body horror
deepcurvesahead's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Suicide, Medical content, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Y'ALL. This book! THIS BOOK! So freaking good! Ethan is "settling" into his role as the Sheriff, as much as anyone can with the threat that looms over them. His new task is to investigate a murder, and infiltrate a group of townies who have taken their chips out. There were so many more povs and it provided such insight and horror into different characters. I truly thought I couldn't despise Pilcher anymore, yet with each page I read my hate for him grew. At first I thought he might have one or two redeemable qualities, such as his love for his daughter and wife. BUT THEN YOU FIND OUT HE KILLED THEM BOTH!!! He literally repeatedly stabbed his daughter and made her death very painful and long! AHHHHHHH! When Tobias was introduced I feel like it was kinda obvious that he was the man who had "spent time" with Theresa. I am so curious about why he was sent away for so long, and to what purpose. (Considering Pilcher's resources, and drones, I have my theories) I was shocked and extremely disgusted that Tobias basically "bought" the chance to be with Theresa. I was so horrified by that! I started really hating him and Pilcher even more at that point.
This is such a great read, a must read in the series for sure! I can't wait to read the last book!
This is such a great read, a must read in the series for sure! I can't wait to read the last book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, and Torture
Minor: Sexual content
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