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ashleycmms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Medical content
Minor: Death and Car accident
thepoieszedlife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Medical content, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Animal death, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Infidelity
tifftastic87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
The story is kind of predictable, but that wouldn't have been a problem if the characters were more developed. We immediately got into the "tense" part of the story without learning anything about the characters. Well, we did learn two things one is that Monica struggles to parent her strong willed daughter and that Troy is a f**k boy.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Rape, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Animal death, Grief, Gun violence, Body horror, Sexual content, Confinement, and Medical content
Moderate: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Murder, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Pregnancy
mslaureeslibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Chronic illness, Rape, Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
ruthypoo2's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
The book begins with a legitimately creepy opening titled, "Before..." Picture an elderly widow returning after dark to the large home she lives in alone, and hearing something upstairs she feels compelled to investigate. It's amazing how a good writer can take a setting that you normally feel so safe in, like your own home, and turn it into a sinister haunted house. All it takes is a little creak or open door here and there to get the goosebumps rising on this reader's arms!
The bulk of the story is told from the perspectives of Troy and his wife, Monica who live with their young daughter and son. Early in the story, Monica's estranged mother, Grace, enters the picture and ends up staying with her daughter's family so she and Monica can get reacquainted. Then odd and tragic things start affecting the family, but can these incidents be traced back to the arrival of Monica's mother?
I enjoyed the evolving cat and mouse game that was woven throughout the story between Troy and his mother-in-law, Grace. I think all the characters were well crafted and you either love, hate, or can get terribly frustrated with their action or inaction. The plot was interesting and though not entirely unique, it was presented in a modern and brutal way.
I listened to the audiobook edition and enjoyed the narration of Leon Nixon. Mr. Nixon did an excellent job voicing all characters and presenting their unique and disparate personalities. The narration contributed to the eeriness of the story and built momentum with good pacing.
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Rape
Minor: Death and Animal death
heather_dowell's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Pregnancy, Grief, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Murder, Body shaming, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Gore, Emotional abuse, Death, Body horror, Death of parent, and Abandonment