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rileydawsonnn's review against another edition
3.0
This book was good... entertaining. Definitely gave me creepy vibes, but wasn't too thrilling. it honestly just felt like a fiction book about a girl who's mother was a killer, ya know what i mean? it just didn't hit. it didn't FEEL like a thriller.
averycakes505's review against another edition
4.0
I FLEW through this book. I was held captive for a full 5.5 hours JUST reading. It is a psychological thriller that has you questioning your own sanity and morals. I will admit that some of it is a *little* predictable, but please do not let that stop you from reading it. The language and imagery the author uses is compelling and might have you gasp audibly once or twice. I would recommend this book HIGHLY.
jayneb22's review against another edition
5.0
This book should come with a trigger warning there is rape, self harm and violence. I was not prepared to hear about a few of the rapes. I wish i had known and i would have been able to prepare myself. This book took a huge turn of events. I figured that she would kill Phoebe. I just didn’t know how and I’m glad that we were told. I think it’s odd that the dad found out later and didn’t connect the dots until then.
lonelyfangirlirl's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
redvelvetpenguins's review against another edition
2.0
While having a lot of potential, it just feel short ultimately. The badness never truly that bad, the reveal lackluster, no shock factor, no resolve at all.
Also while the "mean girl" bit was annoying I can only assume the author (and all authors) play that up for the drama as I'm pretty sure people like that don't actually exist, atleast I've been fortunate enough to never meet any
Also while the "mean girl" bit was annoying I can only assume the author (and all authors) play that up for the drama as I'm pretty sure people like that don't actually exist, atleast I've been fortunate enough to never meet any
jazzlois24's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
floralpages73's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
I kept thinking of Rose West... a shocking, dark psychological chiller. Unusual teenage protagonist too.
The premise is simple, but effective - a female serial killer is shopped by her own teenage daughter. My my, eyebrows raise - I did imagine if Rose and Fred West's child had been more involved with their activities, this could have been her story.
Annie has finally decided to go to the police, her mother is arrested, she is placed in a foster home with a psychologist, his wife, and their teenage daughter while she awaits the trial date at which she will be witness.
Land lets us a little way into Annie's mind, now called Milly. We see the effect her upbringing has had - the guilt she feels, the love she cannot help but feel, the strain of trying to live a life of school and family while remembering hideous events and dreading being in the same room as her mother again at her trial.
Milly/Annie is a nicely created character - she tells us her story, we know her feelings, she's been manipulated and abused her entire life, and is still only a teenager herself. So when her foster sister is less than friendly, and she sees for herself that a 'normal' family can have its own secrets, we just hope she'll get through the trial and every school day.
Her foster sister is truly nasty at times, a Queen Bee that I found hard to believe everyone would so blindly follow. There are two young characters I wanted to see more of - one local girl, herself not well cared for, who becomes a friend and confidante of sorts of Milly's, and the only human-seeming boy at Milly's school, who stands up for her.
Lord of the Flies is referenced throughout the book, the play Milly's school is putting on, and while I didn't see the similarities at first, it was quite aptly placed in the story and well chosen.
The story takes us through Milly's mother's trial, and while her crimes are described, there are very few graphic scenes of her murders and abuse, it never becomes truly uncomfortable and upsetting, though the subject itself is bound to strike a nerve (and a mother and pregnant woman, I certainly didn't find it 'enjoyable' reading).
Very interesting subject and choice of narrator, the few twists may surprise, it does keep you wanting to find out how it will all end, and Milly's character develops nicely for the reader as her past and present are both illuminated.
With such a sensitive subject (and a couple of strong sexual scenes), I would say this is for ages 14 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for for advance copy, sent for review purposes.
The premise is simple, but effective - a female serial killer is shopped by her own teenage daughter. My my, eyebrows raise - I did imagine if Rose and Fred West's child had been more involved with their activities, this could have been her story.
Annie has finally decided to go to the police, her mother is arrested, she is placed in a foster home with a psychologist, his wife, and their teenage daughter while she awaits the trial date at which she will be witness.
Land lets us a little way into Annie's mind, now called Milly. We see the effect her upbringing has had - the guilt she feels, the love she cannot help but feel, the strain of trying to live a life of school and family while remembering hideous events and dreading being in the same room as her mother again at her trial.
Milly/Annie is a nicely created character - she tells us her story, we know her feelings, she's been manipulated and abused her entire life, and is still only a teenager herself. So when her foster sister is less than friendly, and she sees for herself that a 'normal' family can have its own secrets, we just hope she'll get through the trial and every school day.
Her foster sister is truly nasty at times, a Queen Bee that I found hard to believe everyone would so blindly follow. There are two young characters I wanted to see more of - one local girl, herself not well cared for, who becomes a friend and confidante of sorts of Milly's, and the only human-seeming boy at Milly's school, who stands up for her.
Lord of the Flies is referenced throughout the book, the play Milly's school is putting on, and while I didn't see the similarities at first, it was quite aptly placed in the story and well chosen.
The story takes us through Milly's mother's trial, and while her crimes are described, there are very few graphic scenes of her murders and abuse, it never becomes truly uncomfortable and upsetting, though the subject itself is bound to strike a nerve (and a mother and pregnant woman, I certainly didn't find it 'enjoyable' reading).
Very interesting subject and choice of narrator, the few twists may surprise, it does keep you wanting to find out how it will all end, and Milly's character develops nicely for the reader as her past and present are both illuminated.
With such a sensitive subject (and a couple of strong sexual scenes), I would say this is for ages 14 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for for advance copy, sent for review purposes.