Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - The Guide

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

12dejamoo's review

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adventurous 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? No

1.75

I read this and now it's over. And you could tell this was written by a man (derogatory)

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recorderkfk's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I'm a big fan of The River by Heller and this book delivers well in a similar spirit to that one. I'd give the book a 3.85-95 if I could - the first 3/4 build the setting the and eeriness of a seemingly idyllic fishing lodge retreat very well, it's easily the type of book that would adapt into a movie directed by M. Night Shamalan. Heller is in fine form describing the ease and practice of fly fishing.
The last 20% of the book did feel rushed, and did not have quite the emotional payoff that I was hoping for.

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amykathrynstark's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

A poetically-written thriller that gave darkness, curiosity, fright, and wonder. One negative—I felt a fairly detailed knowledge of fishing ruled a lot of the story and distracted slightly from my ability to appreciate it.

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brookebatesratesbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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horizonous's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

2.0

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mollyb13's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.75

I enjoyed Jack's character overall but felt that there could have been more development. However, reading other reviews for this book I realize that I missed the first book that Jack was introduced in - The River. While it wasn't necessary to read this prior to The Guide, I feel it would have helped my understanding of Jack. I wish that Alison's character was a bit better written and developed. We never got much of her backstory, and while certain things were hinted at

such as 'I just cannot go home' - why? did she have some past trauma in her career that we should know about? Whatever it was, it was enough that she didn't want to leave the creepy lodge!

Her story was never fully explained. And because of this I could never connect with her.

The pacing of this novel was WILD. It started out at a nicer, slower pace. I love Peter Heller's descriptions of the outdoors and Jack's connection to the natural world.

The little hints at sketchy business like the boot and the weary guests were great! But the ending turning into a shoot 'em up movie and everyone being saved like 5 minutes after Alison texts her security guard was a bit much. And it was pretty obvious something related to illegal disease cures/procedures was involved from early on so I didn't get any shocking surprise moments that I generally like to have in a thriller.

Oddly enough this book should have been about 40-50 pages longer at least (I ALWAYS want books to be shorter!), to tell the ending in a more believable and less rushed manner.

I read this book for a challenge at my library - it is not a book I would have chosen on my own! Overall, I'm glad I was exposed to Heller's work. I think I would like his nonfiction writing, but will avoid any fictional works by him in the future.

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