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kindred_spirit_96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Physical abuse
Minor: Cancer and War
marietimus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Cancer, and Car accident
rosecott's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Highly recommend but warn that your heart will be ripped out and stomped on before the end!!!
I listened to the audio book which was brilliant but this is one I am sure I would have been equally as enthralled by the physical book.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief, Death, War, Mental illness, Murder, Death of parent, Violence, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Cancer, Car accident, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
npolanchik's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Blood and Death
ree333's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Death, and Blood
ericalynne5's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Violence
jenneyrebecca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Two faults: 1. the beginning feels hollow and cliche - a coming of age story about a gangly redhead whose always the new kid at school. (But this quickly evaporates into a compelling and beautiful family drama.) 2. There are a few plot points that feel like they happen only because the author needs them to do something (create tension, let time pass).
It has been a long time since I stayed up all night reading a book. I could NOT put it down. It absolutely hooked me with its themes of domestic abuse, mother-daughter trauma bonding, horrifying discoveries about one’s own parents … and with such a satisfying ending. There are people who would fault the book for not being dark enough, for plot points that aren’t cruel enough. Not me.
And the imagery was great! I have never been to Alaska but I felt I could imagine the town and the people vividly. Two of the heart-rending quotes that stopped and caught me will tell you precisely the core of what this book is about:
“You could always tell when Dad was gone. Everything was easier and more relaxed in his absence.”
“The baby’s minuscule fingers closed around hers. A searing, cleansing, enveloping love blew her heart into a million tiny pieces and reshaped it.”
They seem simple but went to the heart of what hooked me about this book - the felt sense of being in a household with an abusive man
Graphic: Terminal illness, Gore, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Rape
craizydaizy1014's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, War, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Death, Cancer, Murder, Blood, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Animal death
ashtontdavis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Animal death
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Vomit, War, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Car accident, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, and Physical abuse