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katieb1034's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is a testament to the extent of Beukes' research when writing different characters from a multitude of backgrounds, but there are so many bizarre decisions the author made when writing this story -- not the least of which is to write a homeless Black drug addict (a character who is only loosely related to the story) who speaks in what I assume is the white writer's estimation of AAVE. Overall, the time travel is interesting, the characters are diverse, and the ending is satisfying in that everyone you want to win wins. However, the story lacks any true theme that could make it actually resonant, and the more fantastical elements only serve to make the horror fall flat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
beccacondon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
kerstynleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I haven't been this riveted by a book in a long time. I couldn't stop listening, and when I had to, I was still thinking about it. I wish I wasn't a bit disappointed by the ending, but I'd convinced myself that if Kirby could get into the house and destroy all the totems, the girls would be able to come back, somehow. I hated seeing woman after woman murdered that way knowing that there was no way back for them, so I think I'd made a deal with myself that they would be okay if Kirby could fix everything. But I guess if I'm being honest, that really isn't how life works, and maybe it is important to acknowledge that shining woman lose their lives for no goddamn reason every day, so I guess I'm not really disappointed at all. This book was a gift and I'm glad I came across it. And I'm glad to hear Khristine Hvam's voice again! It's been ages since I've listened to an audiobook of hers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty
miarae's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I really struggled with this book and was close to DNFing. I found all the jumping through time incredibly tedious and it caused me to not really get invested in the story and characters. It was all too vague and the writing was incredibly boring at times, to the point I skimmed past a lot of descriptions. Downside of a time travel story, it involves too much describing of the scenery. I know the author wanted us to love the women in the story, but there were too many and their stories too short to get attached. The plot had a lot of potential but it just ended up a confusing mess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
beccaand's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Abortion
thisameliagirl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Murder
anniepatt's review against another edition
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I've been choosing audiobooks by sorting randomly and available now on Libby, then scrolling until I like cover art. It's kind of fun to go in mostly blind. Somehow I've read at least 4 time travel books so far in 2024, and here's another one!
The villain in The Shining Girls was the most disturbingly written evil man I've encountered. Masterfully repulsive, 5 stars on that character development.
This is another one of those stories with incredible potential that just didn't resolve satisfactorily, in my personal opinion-but I'd still seek out another book by this author. I did enjoy her style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion
hawkesis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
While the concept of a time travelling serial killer is intriguing I found the writing to be slow and it didn't engage me as much as what I thought. I struggled to connect with the characters and while it was centered around the killer, it wasn't a concept that I could get into. The book does has a promise and would recommend to anyone that enjoys thrillers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
abookdork's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Murder
caoimhemia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Torture, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism