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Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Graphic: Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Racism, Suicide, Medical content, Gaslighting
The author does an incredible job making fully developed characters. Reading her writing makes me feel justified for every complaint I’ve made for other books not having good character development, because THIS is what good character development looks like (and I’m not just picky, although maybe I am that too.) Kim definitely puts you on an emotional rollercoaster - you begin hating a character from another character’s viewpoint but then you get humbled once you get the other character’s perspective, backstory, emotions, and motivations. It truly is a study of “there’s two sides to every story”, and I think it gives the reader a lot to think about, not just in the book, but how we interact with the stories told every day by people we know and especially online.
The storyline itself was very engaging; it was very hard to put the book down. I really enjoyed all the POVs, for the reasons listed above but also for how it propelled the story along. I’m in awe of how she kept the mystery going even when we did get the the perspectives of the one(s) who committed the crime. I like a court procedural style. The back and forth was very satisfying to me, and reminded me a little of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. I think it was believable but I think that’s because I found the characters so believable, and I understand a few criticisms of the crime plot’s unbelievability. However I don’t think it was enough to ruin or even affect my reading experience.
I’m in love with Kim’s writing style too. She gives her characters such grace while not shying away from the dark things they do too. In my opinion she is a master of similes, never before have I seen them used so often with such strong effect.
I feel like I could talk about this book forever but I’ll leave it at that. I can’t think of anyone I wouldn’t recommend this book to, except maybe minors due to some tough subjects. It’s a new favorite.
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, Xenophobia
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Vomit
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Suicide, Grief
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Xenophobia, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting
Moderate: Infertility, Misogyny, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Ableism, Murder