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jamielynnfel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Sexual assault
cigarettelouie's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The author’s cultural connection to the characters was very authentic and compelled me to keep reading. However, this book read very sensationally about autism. As a neurodivergent person, it was pretty triggering and I can’t say I’d recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Death, Ableism, Chronic illness, and Child death
curiousqueenb's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
justaprilann's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
This started really fast for me and then slowed down, almost too slow. Loved the resolution, even though it was all so devastating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Sexual assault
emmaisabelle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While it was definitely engrossing and I enjoyed the mystery-courtroom drama mix, I found the focus on neurotypical characters when so much of the book revolves around autism and people of autism pretty unappealing. The constant onslaught of ableist language and ideas was a LOT. It really just left me thinking “What is the point of hearing all these people talk about how much they hate people with autism and how autism is a disease that needs to be fixed?” Not once did the characters with autism have a voice in this book.
That said I think the way Kim explores the truth of what happened, the way people invent stories to fit their own narratives and emotions, and how witnesses’ memories are formed by the complex context leading to the events of the book was fascinating. While it was sometimes jarring to switch POV so many times, I do think Kim is really good at managing all those different opinions, memories, thoughts, personalities, etc. She really raises interesting questions about truth/memory, guilt/innocence, and parenthood. I just could not handle the rampent ableism nor did I really see the point of going that hard on it. I’m just not sure the book needed that much hatred of autistic people in it lol, even if it’s pretty clear Kim is not her characters and doesn’t share their thoughts.
Overall an engrossing courtroom thriller-mystery but just too put off by the incessant ableism of the characters. If you read, just be prepared for two hundred pages of characters discussing how autistic children are problems that need to be fixed.
That said I think the way Kim explores the truth of what happened, the way people invent stories to fit their own narratives and emotions, and how witnesses’ memories are formed by the complex context leading to the events of the book was fascinating. While it was sometimes jarring to switch POV so many times, I do think Kim is really good at managing all those different opinions, memories, thoughts, personalities, etc. She really raises interesting questions about truth/memory, guilt/innocence, and parenthood. I just could not handle the rampent ableism nor did I really see the point of going that hard on it. I’m just not sure the book needed that much hatred of autistic people in it lol, even if it’s pretty clear Kim is not her characters and doesn’t share their thoughts.
Overall an engrossing courtroom thriller-mystery but just too put off by the incessant ableism of the characters. If you read, just be prepared for two hundred pages of characters discussing how autistic children are problems that need to be fixed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death of parent
tracikennedy25's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, Medical content, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Infertility and Suicide
emholbrook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Child death
megan_martha_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Warning: child abuse, death, suicide, sexual assault
This book read fast because it is a courtroom / family drama. But it’s really heavy. I felt sad and disturbed after finishing it, like you feel after watching law and order SUV or multiple episodes of criminal minds.
This book read fast because it is a courtroom / family drama. But it’s really heavy. I felt sad and disturbed after finishing it, like you feel after watching law and order SUV or multiple episodes of criminal minds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Death, Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
keil3y's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Fast paced, gripping, and makes you suspect almost every main character. Really clever how all the stories weave into each other and lots of twists and turns. Loved it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
cadeyladey's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia