sandradausman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
That was a plot twist I did not see coming!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Mass/school shootings
erica_reads_things's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Uhhhhhh what the fuck lol. Twisty, a bit predictable, but overall a decent and entertaining read. Unfortunately some unnecessary fatphobia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Grief, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Self harm, Stalking, Mass/school shootings, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: Kidnapping and Pregnancy
brinleysmith's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
erlurs's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
- both main characters were pretty insufferable
- you don’t really know who to trust, who to root for, what to believe
- too many unrealistic plot twists
- chaotic and unhinged
- you don’t really know who to trust, who to root for, what to believe
- too many unrealistic plot twists
- chaotic and unhinged
katybugggg's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kayleighx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
kayisonfiree's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kaywagz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kupid's review against another edition
1.0
i tried this author for the second time after not liking the first book i read from her.. i shouldn't have. the constant perspective of 'they're mentally ill so they must be batshit crazy' is so overused and damaging, i'm sick of it. it's the same issue i had with her last book. apart from that, i just don't like her writing.
the premise is so strong, but the execution was just horrible. it played on disgusting stereotypes and strangely didn't focus on the subject of grief as much as expected. take whiny, annoying mothers and weird yet horribly written sons, add a few unnecessary plot twists, a random serial killer and you get this book.
examples/ spoilers below:
- jules was just there for shock value, she didn't need to be a recurring perspective, and her involvement with isaac was completely unnecessary. i'd have rather read isaacs perspective, like in gone girl.
- the whole 'sharing violence through gaming' plot twist (if you can call it that) was just thrown in out of nowhere, with no previous indications at all.
- out of nowhere they just started discussing isaacs anger, it felt so clunky, like the first part was focused on jules and the second part was focused on isaac, whereas they should've flowed together at the very least.
the premise is so strong, but the execution was just horrible. it played on disgusting stereotypes and strangely didn't focus on the subject of grief as much as expected. take whiny, annoying mothers and weird yet horribly written sons, add a few unnecessary plot twists, a random serial killer and you get this book.
examples/ spoilers below:
Spoiler
examples:- jules was just there for shock value, she didn't need to be a recurring perspective, and her involvement with isaac was completely unnecessary. i'd have rather read isaacs perspective, like in gone girl.
- the whole 'sharing violence through gaming' plot twist (if you can call it that) was just thrown in out of nowhere, with no previous indications at all.
- out of nowhere they just started discussing isaacs anger, it felt so clunky, like the first part was focused on jules and the second part was focused on isaac, whereas they should've flowed together at the very least.