Reviews tagging 'Genocide'

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

2 reviews

kirbylover16's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

2.75

I find the story concepts to be quite intriguing. For example, I am interested in exploring various religious and regional interpretations of a flooded world. Additionally, the idea of Celebrity Sleepers acting as protectors is unique, although it is unfortunately not utilized enough.

the Cold War, the start of the second drowning, her mother; all plotlines dropped

There was a missed opportunity not to add a Lemony Snicket twist to the title, which should have featured Augharad, or even just the Fairy King would be a better title. I wish the book spent more time with Effy while she attends school. (the dark academia?) This change would not only help us better understand Effy but also enable us to get to know other characters.

The story was supposed to be a romance with rivals-turned-lovers, but it failed to deliver. The main love interest is introduced too late, and we learn little about him, except that he's foreign and Effy is jealous/racist towards him. Effy never stops being racist or unfairly mean to him. I like him more than Effy because he's less whiney and stupid. They don't fight each other in the competition or know each other in school. They're not even staying in the same house. Where is this rivalry? The romance is rushed and not spicy. 

TL;DR
I am eager to learn more about the world, but there are still too many gaps and squandered ideas. I made zero connections to any of the characters. The pacing is all over the place. This book is falsely advised and disappointing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

Moderate: Car accident, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Classism

Minor: Genocide, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, and Gaslighting

The car accident isn't an accident but not attempted murder either. not very violent.

Mc is pushed out of a moving car. The guy was trying to keep mc from coming back to the house but couldn't tell her

There is one bar date? where mc tries alcohol for the first time to fit in. She doesn't get drunk or even finish the glass. The child abuse is only hinted at till halfway thru the book where mc tells the so her mom tried to leave her to die but chickened out. Kinda comes out of nowhere.

miraclesnow's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Sometimes you need a book that pinches the heart just a little, and to remind you books are ways to transport yourself into other worlds. It feels like it’s been a while since a book has made me feel as achingly despondent that I cannot move between the pages of the book into another world. Sometimes it’s just enough pain to find yourself… wanting.

The themes were well explored and I loved the mystical element, it feels like a very well explored modern-day breakdown of the perils and detractions of the past and Byronic stories. The prose is truly what absorbed me into the tale, and what made me yearn for an ephemeral place that didn’t even truly exist in this book. 

The only thing that holds the book back is my lack of interest in the romance, which was darling but not my style to read. Overall, a wonderful one & done read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Abandonment, Genocide, Bullying, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Xenophobia

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, and Cursing