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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dark, but also inspiring? It's a hard journey, but it's worth it. This book hooked me in, and it affected how I perceive trauma, hope, and love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Stalking, Gaslighting
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual assault
I read this 500-page book in less than 36 hours. I simply could not put it down. With every single chapter, I became more and more invested in the story – needing to know what happened.
What started off as a thriller turned into a chilling, visceral portrayal of the effects of trauma on the human mind, body, and spirit. It was disturbing, it was heartbreaking, it was gritty.
Watching Sayers’ mind come undone was a psychologically brutal experience that was chilling. A tale not only of Stockholm Syndrome, but also of the lengths the mind will go to in order to preserve any semblance of security and safety. The story became even more disorienting as we began to lose all sense of time.
Sayers’ journey was painful – but fascinating and redeeming. We began the book with a story about an insufferable, privileged boy. We ended the book with a story about a resourceful, brave, kind, resilient survivor. The more time I spent with him, the more I cared about him, his healing, and his future.
Evan. Wow. Evan was a beautifully-written, empathetic, emotionally complex and loveable character whom I adored. And I would love to hear more of his story – from his point of view. Because when the disturbing reality of what he experienced on that fateful night was uncovered, there were only a few pages left in the book – and all I wanted was to get more insight into his journey. How, despite the cruel events that took place, he still managed to be such a helpful, selfless, and supportive young adult – and an incredible friend to Sayers.
And after knowing what his reality was, I went back retroactively in my mind and knew that Evan was being strong enough for both himself AND Sayers as he helped Sayers through his trauma. Their friendship was my favorite part of the book.
I will recommend this book to so many people. It was one of the most unique ones I’ve come across in a while, and one that was so emotionally impactful that it truly left a lasting impression on me. Because when all was said and done, the book was more than a story. It was a commentary on the power of human connection, and a testament to the unbreakable nature of the human soul.
It was a reminder that shows us that we can be victims – or we can be survivors.
What started off as a thriller turned into a chilling, visceral portrayal of the effects of trauma on the human mind, body, and spirit. It was disturbing, it was heartbreaking, it was gritty.
Watching Sayers’ mind come undone was a psychologically brutal experience that was chilling. A tale not only of Stockholm Syndrome, but also of the lengths the mind will go to in order to preserve any semblance of security and safety. The story became even more disorienting as we began to lose all sense of time.
Sayers’ journey was painful – but fascinating and redeeming. We began the book with a story about an insufferable, privileged boy. We ended the book with a story about a resourceful, brave, kind, resilient survivor. The more time I spent with him, the more I cared about him, his healing, and his future.
Evan. Wow. Evan was a beautifully-written, empathetic, emotionally complex and loveable character whom I adored. And I would love to hear more of his story – from his point of view. Because when the disturbing reality of what he experienced on that fateful night was uncovered, there were only a few pages left in the book – and all I wanted was to get more insight into his journey. How, despite the cruel events that took place, he still managed to be such a helpful, selfless, and supportive young adult – and an incredible friend to Sayers.
And after knowing what his reality was, I went back retroactively in my mind and knew that Evan was being strong enough for both himself AND Sayers as he helped Sayers through his trauma. Their friendship was my favorite part of the book.
I will recommend this book to so many people. It was one of the most unique ones I’ve come across in a while, and one that was so emotionally impactful that it truly left a lasting impression on me. Because when all was said and done, the book was more than a story. It was a commentary on the power of human connection, and a testament to the unbreakable nature of the human soul.
It was a reminder that shows us that we can be victims – or we can be survivors.
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You can tell Robin Roe has a background in psychology when you read this book. It's hard to describe the absolute dread you feel when reading it.
5/5
Spoiler
Also I can't really help but be a little disappointed we won't know if Sayers rekindles his friendship with Luke. I think I would've really liked an epilogue here, especially after reading the author's note. It does leave a little hope though, it does say they are going to talk when Luke gets home. No points deducted, however. This is still one of the best books I've read this year, if not ever5/5
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was dark and disturbing and so incredible. It explores the nature of trauma and it’s aftermath. Sayers is a complex, layered character who we see transform; for better or worse.
I’m really glad we got sections of before and after the kidnapping. This really allowed for a deeper exploration of Sayers and his transformation.
While there are some twists and turns, I would say that this is more of a contemporary fiction book than a thriller. In any case, it is definitely worth picking up!
Thank you so, so much to the author for sending this my way, as well as the publisher, harperteen!
I’m really glad we got sections of before and after the kidnapping. This really allowed for a deeper exploration of Sayers and his transformation.
While there are some twists and turns, I would say that this is more of a contemporary fiction book than a thriller. In any case, it is definitely worth picking up!
Thank you so, so much to the author for sending this my way, as well as the publisher, harperteen!
