Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

60 reviews

bookedandbusy's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I enjoyed this one a lot. It hooked me from the start and while I predicted the plot twist, I really liked the book still! Would recommend if you like psychological thrillers.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Cancer, Stalking, Vomit, Violence, Gore, Gun violence, and Murder

gemin1reader's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

3.5

The first half of this thriller is brilliant - while the concept seems a little wild, it was fascinating and really kept you gripped. The second half deals more with the aftermath and it was slightly underwhelming…really hated the ending itself

because it just ended in a mass shootout essentially, with no real justice served.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Gun violence, Suicide, Blood, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Death, Drug abuse, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

booksofautumn's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Gun violence, Murder, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Cancer, Child abuse, Classism, and Domestic abuse

jadegrea's review against another edition

challenging dark

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Kidnapping and Stalking

Minor: Gun violence, Police brutality, Violence, and Confinement

nbreezy17's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping

Moderate: Gun violence, Death, and Violence

alicefaye_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Terminal illness, Cancer, Child abuse, Murder, Confinement, Blood, Medical content, Gun violence, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Medical trauma

beckyremillard's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Child abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Violence, Cancer, Drug abuse, Murder, Stalking, and Addiction

Moderate: Child death and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Animal death

taelights's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

This book really hooked me from the first chapter. The concept was just so interesting to me and exploring the lengths people will go to save a loved one has always been a topic I've found interesting in media. So from the get go I love this book. 

However, it kind of lost me in the second half. The first half focused on the topics I liked. It had great pacing and tension, moments that had me on the edge of my seat, and so many intriguing characters and choices.

The second half had potential because exploring the aftermath of the trauma could have been super interesting but it went in a totally different direction than what I wanted. I thought what the author decided to go with was super unrealistic and overdramatic. Also the characterization of the person running the Chain was just so bad lol. 

Also, I thought the ending was

way too happy? Like I love happy endings, don't get me wrong, but this one was unrealistically happy. The characters expierence so much trauma in the book yet seemed to fully get over it super fast. Also the "babies ever after" trope was really unnecessary in this book. Honestly the romance to begin with was unnecessary but the baby especially. Like ah yes what an on and off cancer patient and her drug addict boyfriend who she's only with due to a trauma bond definitely need a baby.

Anyways this could have been a 5 star read but unfortunately the second half of the book knocked it down to a 4 star for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Confinement, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug use, Cancer, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Suicide, Child death, and Drug abuse

Minor: Pregnancy

taliatalksbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

The Chain by Adrian McKinty will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. I really loved McKinty’s approach to the thriller, since not only do we get to glimpse what is happening in the moment, but during the second half of the book we are able to see the repercussions that the events of the novel are having on our characters. I thought some of the characters were a little cliche, but the ideas and execution of this book were great overall. This book should be commended for its fast-pace, sight, and ability to thrill without having to overly suspend disbelief. If you’re looking for a Boston based thriller, look no further! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping

carlyreads11's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Read this in one setting definitely an interesting concept and kept me on the edge of my seat

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Kidnapping