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brianareads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Violence, Sexual assault, and Murder
carlissa904's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
This book had an interesting premise, but it just didn't pan out for me. The story was disjointed and very boring. I thought this was an adult fiction, but it was written as if it was for middle schoolers with way too much cursing. I won't be recommending it to anyone.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for letting me read and review.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for letting me read and review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Bullying, Cursing, and Child death
Moderate: Racial slurs and Child death
definitelynotreading's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is not the type of book that would usually peak my interest, but it was offered to me by the publisher and who am I to turn down free books? It was an interesting look at a culture that is very unfamiliar to me in multiple ways - first of all being focused geographically in a very different area than where I grew up and secondly being focused on characters from a minority group with which I am generally unfamiliar. In that sense, I enjoyed this book. I can't speak to it's accuracy, but based on the author's own background, I'm inclined to believe it's an accurate depiction of the culture it represents.
What fell flat for me was the actual plot of the story. It seemed to be a slice of several weeks out of the characters lives and the events of the novel had little impact on their lives after the fact. Their lives seem to continue as they always had previously. I can definitely understand the choices the author made that caused their lives to be minimally changed. I think the other outcome would've been too easy in a lot of ways, however, I hoped for a bit of character development through the process. The reader discovered aspects of the characters lives, but the characters didn't display growth themselves through the events of the novel.
What fell flat for me was the actual plot of the story. It seemed to be a slice of several weeks out of the characters lives and the events of the novel had little impact on their lives after the fact. Their lives seem to continue as they always had previously. I can definitely understand the choices the author made that caused their lives to be minimally changed. I think the other outcome would've been too easy in a lot of ways, however, I hoped for a bit of character development through the process. The reader discovered aspects of the characters lives, but the characters didn't display growth themselves through the events of the novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
Minor: Violence, Racism, and Murder
spinesinaline's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Such a compelling read, many CWs for sexual assault, pedophilia, physical abuse. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for an ARC!
This is not only the story of the Ramirez’s search for their missing sister but of the violence and harassment that each woman in the family has faced and beyond that, of the wider societal issue of violence against women, especially women of colour. It’s a sad and upsetting read, but also one of the incredible love of this family, their fights and making up, and their hilarious humour.
There was some questionable fatphobic portrayal so a heads up for that. The comments that focused on one character’s weight and diets in relation to their grief felt unnecessary to the story.
I really enjoyed this story while also feeling the visceral grief of this family and other women who’ve been in this position. A great read to start off my year.
This is not only the story of the Ramirez’s search for their missing sister but of the violence and harassment that each woman in the family has faced and beyond that, of the wider societal issue of violence against women, especially women of colour. It’s a sad and upsetting read, but also one of the incredible love of this family, their fights and making up, and their hilarious humour.
There was some questionable fatphobic portrayal so a heads up for that. The comments that focused on one character’s weight and diets in relation to their grief felt unnecessary to the story.
I really enjoyed this story while also feeling the visceral grief of this family and other women who’ve been in this position. A great read to start off my year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Physical abuse, Cursing, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Racism
Minor: Fatphobia
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