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clairebartholomew549's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.0
This is a taut, extremely well-paced, and emotional thriller and family drama that sucked me in right away. When her twin brother has died in what appears to be an accident, James comes back to her hometown after twenty years away to make peace with his death. But of course once she gets there, it doesn't really seem like an accident, and she decides to stay and try to figure it out.
I was surprised by how much I liked this book, since I'm not usually a huge fan of mysteries and thrillers. But I felt like this book had a ton of emotional depth, way more than I normally find in this genre (although to be fair, I don't read a lot of books in the genre, so I'm definitely not the best judge). James really wrestles with the reality of who her brother was and her own complicity in enabling his worst personality traits, and Young deftly explores how small towns protect their own, often to the detriment of outsiders and those who go against the grain, and how trauma follows you everywhere. The forest town of Six Rivers is impeccably atmospheric - it reminds me of Forks, IYKYK - and the mysteries unfold in a natural and, at least to me, mostly unpredictable way. James' grief is devastatingly articulated, and the cast of characters is compelling and nuanced. I really liked this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
I was surprised by how much I liked this book, since I'm not usually a huge fan of mysteries and thrillers. But I felt like this book had a ton of emotional depth, way more than I normally find in this genre (although to be fair, I don't read a lot of books in the genre, so I'm definitely not the best judge). James really wrestles with the reality of who her brother was and her own complicity in enabling his worst personality traits, and Young deftly explores how small towns protect their own, often to the detriment of outsiders and those who go against the grain, and how trauma follows you everywhere. The forest town of Six Rivers is impeccably atmospheric - it reminds me of Forks, IYKYK - and the mysteries unfold in a natural and, at least to me, mostly unpredictable way. James' grief is devastatingly articulated, and the cast of characters is compelling and nuanced. I really liked this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Car accident, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
jackiereadssometimes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Violence and Suicide attempt
sambookishedition's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for a digital arc!
This book has all the atmosphere and mystery that my spooky time heart needed!
It starts out very intriguing with James going back to the small town she escaped 20 years prior to investigate her twin brothers death.
The next part of the book is extremely slow paced, and has some editing issues that Im sure will be fixed before publishing...I hope.
The second half of the book however is really good!! Mysterious, tense, and lots of twists.
I would recomend this to anyone who enjoys a slow, slightly paranormal, atmospheric mystery 🖤
Bonus points for a beautiful cover!
This book has all the atmosphere and mystery that my spooky time heart needed!
It starts out very intriguing with James going back to the small town she escaped 20 years prior to investigate her twin brothers death.
The next part of the book is extremely slow paced, and has some editing issues that Im sure will be fixed before publishing...I hope.
The second half of the book however is really good!! Mysterious, tense, and lots of twists.
I would recomend this to anyone who enjoys a slow, slightly paranormal, atmospheric mystery 🖤
Bonus points for a beautiful cover!
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Murder
gondorgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Gore, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail