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emeliaisreading_'s review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Title: Knife River by Justine Champine
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
Lesbian FMC
Missing Parent
Police Incompetence
Debut Novel
My Review:
I enjoyed this book, but I don't know if I could call it a thriller because the thriller aspect was kind of an afterthought? We don't find resolution for her mom until 90% in. The reason she goes back to her hometown is because her mother's body is found, but because the case is so old the police aren't really all that interested in solving it and there's just a bunch of meetings. Pretty anticlimactic.
This story mostly revolves around our FMC returning home, mending her relationship with her sister who raised her after her mom died (so sweet!) and reigniting things with her ex-girlfriend she never got over in a small town that hates same sex couples.
I would definitely recommend to somebody who likes literary fiction, but probably not to my thriller besties!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the digital review copy ❣️
TW: alcohol abuse
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
Lesbian FMC
Missing Parent
Police Incompetence
Debut Novel
My Review:
I enjoyed this book, but I don't know if I could call it a thriller because the thriller aspect was kind of an afterthought? We don't find resolution for her mom until 90% in. The reason she goes back to her hometown is because her mother's body is found, but because the case is so old the police aren't really all that interested in solving it and there's just a bunch of meetings. Pretty anticlimactic.
This story mostly revolves around our FMC returning home, mending her relationship with her sister who raised her after her mom died (so sweet!) and reigniting things with her ex-girlfriend she never got over in a small town that hates same sex couples.
I would definitely recommend to somebody who likes literary fiction, but probably not to my thriller besties!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the digital review copy ❣️
TW: alcohol abuse
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Alcoholism
Minor: Homophobia
panic_at_the_bookshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
From the very first page I was curious to find out what was going on. During the first few chapters more information about the disappearance of their mother was slowly revealed. However that didn't last that long.
Most of the book was about the main character trying to navigate in a world while not really knowing herself. The book takes time to explain how certain characters work and why they are the way they are. It felt like the mystery itself wasn't the main focus of this book. The story mostly talked about how people deal with such a mystery.
Reading how two sisters dealt with a disappearance of their mom and the grief it brought along sure was an interesting take for both had their very own beliefs and theories. I really liked how different they dealt with thinks. That isn't always highlighted in books.
I did feel confused by the timeline in this book. Scenes ended abruptly and then the next chapter could be weeks later without a clear connection. It made me feel like I was reading random snippets of a bigger story. For some reason some character's also immediately knew when the MC was hiding something. All of it felt a bit too convenient to me.
I am also not a fan of the smut scenes in this book. Things felt chaotic so it was hard to follow what was happening. For example, some erotic things were briefly mentioned then you'd read a lot of deep thoughts from within the main character's mind before being thrown back into the smut scene.
The ending was well done and while I think this book wasn't meant for me I am glad I did finish it because the ending did serve the tension I would expect from a thriller.
So if you are a fan of reading how characters deal with the grief and sadness that comes along with losing a loved one that went missing, then this might be the book for you!
I was giving a chance to read this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Special thanks to The Dial Press, Justine Champine and Katy Nishimoto!
Most of the book was about the main character trying to navigate in a world while not really knowing herself. The book takes time to explain how certain characters work and why they are the way they are. It felt like the mystery itself wasn't the main focus of this book. The story mostly talked about how people deal with such a mystery.
Reading how two sisters dealt with a disappearance of their mom and the grief it brought along sure was an interesting take for both had their very own beliefs and theories. I really liked how different they dealt with thinks. That isn't always highlighted in books.
I did feel confused by the timeline in this book. Scenes ended abruptly and then the next chapter could be weeks later without a clear connection. It made me feel like I was reading random snippets of a bigger story. For some reason some character's also immediately knew when the MC was hiding something. All of it felt a bit too convenient to me.
I am also not a fan of the smut scenes in this book. Things felt chaotic so it was hard to follow what was happening. For example, some erotic things were briefly mentioned then you'd read a lot of deep thoughts from within the main character's mind before being thrown back into the smut scene.
The ending was well done and while I think this book wasn't meant for me I am glad I did finish it because the ending did serve the tension I would expect from a thriller.
So if you are a fan of reading how characters deal with the grief and sadness that comes along with losing a loved one that went missing, then this might be the book for you!
I was giving a chance to read this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Special thanks to The Dial Press, Justine Champine and Katy Nishimoto!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Cancer
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