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growfromit's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Death, Gun violence, Abandonment, Murder, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Rape
thereadedit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
I have yet to find a book that Simone has written that I didn't love. This is by no means an exception. I loved this with my whole chest. I started it on a Friday night and couldn't put it down.
I devoured this book like no other and I can't say that I regret that decision. The characters in this book kept me on my toes thinking way past when I set the book down. And especially when I was in the middle of the book. I was constantly trying to figure out multiple things and I loved being in the middle of a mystery.
This definitely kept me on my toes and I loved it so much. The paranormal aspect definitely gave it the creepy vibe that I loved throughout the book.
I loved Fiona and her need to fill the curiosity from the past. She needed the clarity from her sisters murder but got so much more than she ever bargained for in the end. She was the perfect person to unfold everything from the inception of Idlewild all the way to the present involving another woman's case against her sisters killer.
There was so much happening not just in the past but also in the present that came together to show how much corruption is in the world. Not just in a war but also small town. The people you are supposed to trust, are the ones to be the most wary of. You never truly know what they are hiding.
I devoured this book like no other and I can't say that I regret that decision. The characters in this book kept me on my toes thinking way past when I set the book down. And especially when I was in the middle of the book. I was constantly trying to figure out multiple things and I loved being in the middle of a mystery.
This definitely kept me on my toes and I loved it so much. The paranormal aspect definitely gave it the creepy vibe that I loved throughout the book.
I loved Fiona and her need to fill the curiosity from the past. She needed the clarity from her sisters murder but got so much more than she ever bargained for in the end. She was the perfect person to unfold everything from the inception of Idlewild all the way to the present involving another woman's case against her sisters killer.
There was so much happening not just in the past but also in the present that came together to show how much corruption is in the world. Not just in a war but also small town. The people you are supposed to trust, are the ones to be the most wary of. You never truly know what they are hiding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, and Child death
boba_n_books's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was my second Simone St. James novel, and I enjoyed it quite a bit! I did prefer The Sun Down Motel, but this was still a worthwhile read.
Written in a dual timeline, The Broken Girls tells the story of Vermont in the 1950s as well as in 2014. In the 50s, we follow four girls who were sent to Idlewild Hall--a boarding school for "troubled" girls. Each girl has their own struggles and reasons for ending up at Idlewild, and they come together to support each other and protect themselves until one of them goes missing. In 2014, Fiona is a journalist whose sister's body was dumped near Idlewild Hall years ago. Her sister's murderer has been in jail for quite some time, but Fiona wonders if there isn't more to the story. At the same time, someone is trying to restore Idlewild Hall, for reasons Fiona could never imagine, as she has heard nothing but horror stories from that school. Fiona discovers long-forgotten secrets of the school that tie back to her sister, and she will stop at nothing to find the truth and justice for the living and the dead.
I love how St. James creates dual timelines that slowly begin to relate to each other and reveal more as you continue reading. I thought the four girls from the 1950s were better characters than Fiona from 2014, though I did still appreciate her motivations and character development.
This well-written mystery/thriller will keep you on your toes and make you think about what you consider "justice."
Written in a dual timeline, The Broken Girls tells the story of Vermont in the 1950s as well as in 2014. In the 50s, we follow four girls who were sent to Idlewild Hall--a boarding school for "troubled" girls. Each girl has their own struggles and reasons for ending up at Idlewild, and they come together to support each other and protect themselves until one of them goes missing. In 2014, Fiona is a journalist whose sister's body was dumped near Idlewild Hall years ago. Her sister's murderer has been in jail for quite some time, but Fiona wonders if there isn't more to the story. At the same time, someone is trying to restore Idlewild Hall, for reasons Fiona could never imagine, as she has heard nothing but horror stories from that school. Fiona discovers long-forgotten secrets of the school that tie back to her sister, and she will stop at nothing to find the truth and justice for the living and the dead.
I love how St. James creates dual timelines that slowly begin to relate to each other and reveal more as you continue reading. I thought the four girls from the 1950s were better characters than Fiona from 2014, though I did still appreciate her motivations and character development.
This well-written mystery/thriller will keep you on your toes and make you think about what you consider "justice."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Antisemitism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Murder, Sexual assault, Child death, and Sexual harassment
bek67's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Second book by this author. I liked it, but I think I'm wanting more. Not sure how this is listed as horror. Yes, there are some ghosts, but I want more scare factor involved. Characters aren't significantly developed. They all seem a bit bland to me. I didn't dislike the characters, but I didn't love them either, so it was hard to connect. And enough of the gray eyed characters in books PLEASE!
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Physical abuse, Violence, and Suicide attempt
shannananahey's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Death, Misogyny, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual violence, Bullying, Drug use, Drug abuse, Antisemitism, Blood, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Cancer, Body shaming, and Child death
_terah_hansen_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Domestic abuse
omdenman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Antisemitism, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Death, Violence, Physical abuse, and Murder
Minor: Suicide, Antisemitism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexism
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