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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
This review is based on the ARC copy from Goodreads giveaways by Henry Holt Books.
This book is particularly difficult to get through.
My main issues:
1. The style of writing is definitely not for me, as there is no character POV. It comes across as choppy and doesn't flow very well, IMO.
2. The character backstory goes into a lot of detail with child abuse/neglect (which can be activating for some readers), but doesn’t seem to add much value. It felt more for shock value than being particularly significant, as it presents only facts and not how the characters actually perceived and digested their experiences. You have a few facts about whether their lives were good or bad, but not who they are.
The point of this, it would seem, is to show that upbringing doesn't protect these women from predators (or being complicate) but it didn't feel well executed to me. The book feels very randomly put together with a few pieces to try to tie it, but lacks any cohesion to tie it all together. While I enjoy mixing up styles and genres, this felt a bit lost.
I had high hopes that this book would be flying off the shelves, as the topic is important and relatively unexposed. I might try the audiobook at a later date, but the style and flow are huge deterrents.
Thank you to Goodreads and Henry Holt Books for the opportunity to read and review this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
This book is particularly difficult to get through.
My main issues:
1. The style of writing is definitely not for me, as there is no character POV. It comes across as choppy and doesn't flow very well, IMO.
2. The character backstory goes into a lot of detail with child abuse/neglect (which can be activating for some readers), but doesn’t seem to add much value. It felt more for shock value than being particularly significant, as it presents only facts and not how the characters actually perceived and digested their experiences. You have a few facts about whether their lives were good or bad, but not who they are.
The point of this, it would seem, is to show that upbringing doesn't protect these women from predators (or being complicate) but it didn't feel well executed to me. The book feels very randomly put together with a few pieces to try to tie it, but lacks any cohesion to tie it all together. While I enjoy mixing up styles and genres, this felt a bit lost.
I had high hopes that this book would be flying off the shelves, as the topic is important and relatively unexposed. I might try the audiobook at a later date, but the style and flow are huge deterrents.
Thank you to Goodreads and Henry Holt Books for the opportunity to read and review this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment
Loosely based on the true kidnapping and captivity of three girls in Cleveland, Ohio. The writing and the story were very interesting and frustrating at the same time. The highly stylized writing took a lot of the emotion out of the story of the girls.
I liked a great deal of this book; not so much the main story premise, but the innovative writing and the way it was written in the majority of the book. That said, there were also interjected sections that really didn’t need to be included and threw off the narrative in random sections which really detracted from the rest of it.
I would recommend reading it just because it was very different from many other texts.
I would recommend reading it just because it was very different from many other texts.
Read half the book. Was very difficult for me to engage, difficult story.
Reading this was torture in every sense of the word.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
absolutely heartbreaking and so difficult to read, but incredibly written. the prose style is so creative and powerful. please be careful and inform yourself of the topics before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Kidnapping
Moderate: Drug abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Racism