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emilyharmonica's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Murder, Gun violence, Violence, Sexual content, Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, and Vomit
edsbigsister's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Starting this book, I was a little concerned about the main character sounding a bit too much like the leading lady in Gone Girl. Gillian Flynn is nothing if not consistent with their writing voice. That being said, I actually grew to really enjoy Libby's chapters as she tried to solve the mystery of her family's murder. That being said, I didn't really enjoy the other perspectives we got in this story. This may be a personal taste thing, but I thought Ben's chapters were way too graphic and gross. I don't need the details of minor's sexual exploits (especially when they seem to only be there to intentionally mislead or get a rise out me, the reader). I'm not a fan of fetishizing child molesting or in depth descriptions of it. I don't need to read about it and it didn't make me want to finish the book. If I hadn't been buddy reading this with a friend, I would have put the book down and not finished it. Or I would have skipped all Ben's chapters being too worried he was a sicko regardless of if he was innocent or not. The mystery part of this book was also not that engaging. It all kind of fit together in an obvious way, so that wasn't satisfying in a way that justified all the gross stuff. I can't say I'd recommend it, but I mean it was well written? Just not my taste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
weirdo_in_the_snow's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Well-written with a solid voice from every character given a spotlight. The writing style changed noticeably at seemingly random moments, but the times the author did dip into more flowery metaphors were enjoyable nonetheless. The main character was rarely likeable, but that could have simply been on purpose. I gave it three stars because it didn't stick with me or make me think. Despite finishing the book not two days ago, I can hardly remember the ending. Overall, I would recommend it as a quick and entertaining thriller but I wouldn't say there's much else to get from it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Child death, Blood, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual content
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