Scan barcode
thechaoticreader_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Torture, Sexual assault, Rape, Confinement, and Alcoholism
Minor: Sexual content
hazel_lee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Trafficking, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Rape, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Grief and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy and Death of parent
abookbitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Murder, Self harm, Slavery, Gore, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Confinement, Death, Sexual content, and Trafficking
astoriareader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
- Two seniors in high school, Noelle & Evan, have been kidnapped. They are locked in cages, and they are part of a sadistic game. It also turns out that Noelle & Evan know each other, and their families don’t have the best past. This portion covers about the first third of the book.
- After they get out, some time passes in the book, and they reunite to try to figure out who was behind it all.
- This was actually pretty bad. I wouldn’t call it a psychological thriller. It fits more in horror genre mixed with romance.
- Definitely check out trigger warnings because this book is A LOT.
- If you’re into gratuitous violence & torture, this one may be for you. That’s not my thing, so I didn’t enjoy it.
- There isn’t much character development either. Characters felt very one-dimensional. Overall, the whole book fell flat for me. Not a satisfying ending. The romance between Noelle & Evan is just weird & based on trauma they went through together.
- So many tropes & cliches in this one.
- About 99% of the plot is completely unbelievable.
- I also have a personal pet peeve with how many times the author used the phrase “took her virginity” re: Noelle. Virginity is a social construct. I mean, JFC, can we please stop using this phrase in 2024, particularly in reference to a teenage trafficking victim being raped?!
Graphic: Sexual violence, Torture, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Misogyny, Trafficking, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Sexual content, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Pedophilia and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism and Pregnancy
soobooksalot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Torture, and Sexual violence
jillwedemeier's review against another edition
- 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
2.0
The premise of this book sounded very intriguing, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. At 390 pages, this book could have been condensed to create a compelling mystery about two victims solving their own kidnappings. Instead, the first 25% of this book is a pure horror novel with vivid and graphic details of human trafficking, including rape, sexual assault, physical assault, and confinement in cages. This book was so much more disturbing than I had anticipated, and it was very difficult to get through. The next 25% of the book was more of a romance, which felt too unbelievable and forced. Fortunately, I found the second half of the book much more captivating and enjoyed how Noelle and Evan worked together to solve their case, although it was still quite dark and twisted. Fans of "Verity" and "Local Woman Missing" will likely enjoy this book, but it was too gruesome for my taste.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Gore, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Confinement, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Trafficking
lexkazokas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Rape, and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy and Fire/Fire injury