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eamcmahon3's review against another edition
4.0
The story gets 5 stars and the writing gets 3 stars so 4 stars overall.
This story was so compelling to me. I loved this personal look at life with the IRA in Northern Ireland. I enjoyed a fictionalized portrayal more than I thought I would. Highly recommend
This story was so compelling to me. I loved this personal look at life with the IRA in Northern Ireland. I enjoyed a fictionalized portrayal more than I thought I would. Highly recommend
mamasuereads's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is basically about two sisters, their mother, a baby, and the conflict in Ireland with regards to the Irish Republican Army exerting their beliefs in and around Belfast.
Who is a member of the IRA? Who is an informant? Is anyone truly safe from the conflict in Northern Ireland? I was slightly hesitant going into this book but I must say, I loved the sister's relationship and loyalty. There were actually parts of the audio I was laughing because of some specific mother-daughter conversations! To me this was a fast paced book that had a lot of suspenseful moments pretty much from the beginning to the end.
Who is a member of the IRA? Who is an informant? Is anyone truly safe from the conflict in Northern Ireland? I was slightly hesitant going into this book but I must say, I loved the sister's relationship and loyalty. There were actually parts of the audio I was laughing because of some specific mother-daughter conversations! To me this was a fast paced book that had a lot of suspenseful moments pretty much from the beginning to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Miscarriage
katharim's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.0
pdestrienne's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
3.0
The accent faltered a bit but overall the narrator wasn't distracting. The plot went some interesting ways that I wasn't expecting but I do feel that the main character was a little one note, or two note: my sister, my son.
naluju's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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? No
2.5
Did not enjoy this one, was not for me!!
alayna017's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks for this book in a Goodreads giveaway!
I really liked this domestic, suspenseful story. The sisters’ relationship and the sacrifices they were willing to make for each other and the cause they believed in was central to this book. It was slow paced and focused more on the relationships, but there were some spy, thriller elements. It still kept me wanting to know what was happening next.
I really liked this domestic, suspenseful story. The sisters’ relationship and the sacrifices they were willing to make for each other and the cause they believed in was central to this book. It was slow paced and focused more on the relationships, but there were some spy, thriller elements. It still kept me wanting to know what was happening next.
kateburstein31's review against another edition
4.0
This was an engaging book that kept my interest throughout, with intriguing characters and plot.
kenzieerenee's review against another edition
It was just boring in my opinion. The plot and the characters were not engaging enough, and too much time spent talking about the MC’s child. Maybe would have been better if I knew more about Irelands history and “the Troubles” but without that prerequisite knowledge it felt dull and too political.
hattisellers's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Liked the story but I did find the characters slightly annoying
meghancolbert's review against another edition
I was hooked at first. I was willing to suspend my disbelief that a convenience store robber waited until she was standing directly in front of a security camera to put her mask on. However…
I don’t love the use of present tense narration in any adult novel, because it’s very YA. This book is written at an 8th grade level, which is weird considering that the first person narrator is a 30+ year old woman, but ok. I’m more upset that the editor didn’t see anything wrong with bizarre similes such as “my body tightens in the cold water, like a loose screw” and anatomical impossibilities such as “Marian bites her top lip between her teeth.”
Why is Tessa so apathetic about her husband’s infidelity? She tells us that she felt pain when she discovered the lip balm in the car, but doesn’t seem bothered by the fact that she gave birth only seven months afterwards and now has to split custody with her ex while also adjusting to new motherhood. That’s an incredibly shitty situation and I find it hard to believe anyone would just gloss over that and move on with their life.
Why would Marian spill all her secrets to Tessa, not knowing what Tessa would do with that information? Why did she suddenly decide to trust Tessa after 7 years? Why did she become an informer when she loved her unit members? Her motivations are unclear and her behavior doesn’t make sense.
I don’t love the use of present tense narration in any adult novel, because it’s very YA. This book is written at an 8th grade level, which is weird considering that the first person narrator is a 30+ year old woman, but ok. I’m more upset that the editor didn’t see anything wrong with bizarre similes such as “my body tightens in the cold water, like a loose screw” and anatomical impossibilities such as “Marian bites her top lip between her teeth.”
Why is Tessa so apathetic about her husband’s infidelity? She tells us that she felt pain when she discovered the lip balm in the car, but doesn’t seem bothered by the fact that she gave birth only seven months afterwards and now has to split custody with her ex while also adjusting to new motherhood. That’s an incredibly shitty situation and I find it hard to believe anyone would just gloss over that and move on with their life.
Why would Marian spill all her secrets to Tessa, not knowing what Tessa would do with that information? Why did she suddenly decide to trust Tessa after 7 years? Why did she become an informer when she loved her unit members? Her motivations are unclear and her behavior doesn’t make sense.