Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

O Amigo das Sombras by Alex North

5 reviews

boba_n_books's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I was pleasantly surprised to find The Shadows to be even more captivating than the other Alex North book I have read, The Whispers. 

This novel follows Paul Adams--a man who, as a child, was accused of brutal and ritualistic murder of a fellow classmate. Back then, Paul befriended Charlie--a boy obsessed with lucid dreaming and exacting revenge on his "enemies." It's clear Charlie was a part of the murder, but he disappeared without a trace. Thankfully, Paul was set free, but as soon as he could, Paul left his childhood home behind. It's been 25 years, and Paul still has no desire to return. But, when his mother's dementia worsens and she has a concerning fall, Paul has no choice but to come home. While in the dreaded town, Paul discovers that a detective is visiting to try and find any clues to help her solve a copycat murder of the one from Paul's childhood. Suddenly, Paul finds himself dragged back into the past, and he's discovering that, even as someone who was close to the murderer and victim, there are still things he does not know about what happened. 

This book was creepy in the best way possible. The reveal was a tad lackluster, but I quite enjoyed the lead-up and the dual timeline showing Paul in both the past and the present as well as the point-of-view of the detective. Anyone who loves psychological thrillers and mysteries will eat this book up.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, Blood, and Child death

Moderate: Animal death and Suicide

Minor: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Drug abuse

antimony's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

didn't really feel much of anything while reading this like i did not often care. it was readable but the only character i cared one bit about was jenny (SPEAKING OF JENNY THOUGH....that plot twist CERTAINLY got me. i was not expecting that). my shock at said plot twist was probably the most emotion i felt throughout the book but like i didn't dislike it. it was just ok. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Death of parent

Minor: Domestic abuse

haleybre's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Kidnapping, Child death, Death, Dementia, Violence, Death of parent, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Murder, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Grief, Suicide, and Toxic friendship

yomireads's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I was genuinely spooked reading this book and the plot twists were spectacularly well foreshadowed, and yet unexpected. The resolution felt a little anticlimactic, but it still felt satisfying and tied the loose ends nicely. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Toxic friendship, Torture, Terminal illness, and Suicide

Minor: Domestic abuse, Animal death, Drug abuse, Animal cruelty, and Homophobia

literaryliaisons's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Blood, Car accident, Bullying, Child death, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Violence

Moderate: Pedophilia