Reviews tagging 'Death'

A Friend in the Dark by Samantha M. Bailey

3 reviews

ulviyyask's review

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, and Car accident

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

deshanejt's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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

3.0

*Read as an Amazon Prime First Reads edition*

This was a fast suspenseful read for me, and had me flipping pages to figure out how everyone was connected. The author didn't dwell on scene setting or too much character development, so you're plunged headlong into the drama and suspense. 

If I take away one thing from this book, its communication is key, folks! 😅

If you're a sensitive reader, please read all TWs. I didn't find this book to be overly graphic in detail, but certain topics were discussed heavily and frequently. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Alcohol, Grief, Death, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Torture

Moderate: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Drug use

Minor: Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Blood, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Rape, and Panic attacks/disorders

bellebookcorner's review

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-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

This book was such a page turner, how do I know ? 

I sit down to read this book and the moment I want to stop reading it, I didn’t realize I was already more than halfway through reading it! 

 

The story is told in multiple POVs and also divided into three parts. I really like the 2nd and 3rd parts where the truths start to come out one by one. 

There’s also a couple unexpected twists throughout the story especially near the ending that really surprised me as well. 

 

As for the characters, it took a while for me to really like Eden’s character because I got annoyed with her poor decision making skill, however at one side I also can understand her feelings regarding the situation she's in which can cloud her judgment. 

 

Then there’s Olivia, I don’t know what to say about her to be honest… she’s a very complex character and it was interesting to get to know her story. I really enjoy following this story through her POV. 

 

One thing I wish differently is only about the flashbacks, sometimes it happen too abruptly in the middle of something going on in the present time which can be slightly confusing. 

 

Nevertheless, I feel satisfied with the ending, it was wrapped up nicely – the mystery from that night party 20 years ago is finally solved along with the main characters finally on the process of healing and to a better future. 

I’m looking forward to read more books from this author in the future! 

Thank you to ThrillerBookLoversPromotions, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!

 

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: stalking, kidnapping, mental illness, domestic abuse, death 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Domestic abuse, and Stalking

Moderate: Sexual content and Death

Minor: Death of parent