Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Imaginary Friend

I will start off by saying that anyone who is sensitive to triggers, or is easily upset/disturbed should not read this book.

This book primarily focuses on children and the mess of their families. It is detailed and intense. The author describes many horrible things that happen to these children. I would say it is not for the faint of heart.

I found myself having to take a break multiple times. Having to sit back and just take in what I read.

That being said, the book was beautifully written. It's in 3rd person (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong), so we get the opinions of every character that we can. We see what goes on in their heads and how they get manipulated by "The Nice Man".

It shows just how fragile humanity can be, and how with the flip of a switch, everything could come crumbling down. Just a little whisper in someone's ear to send them down the wrong path could be the catalyst to ruining their lives.

Although the topics of the book are dark I did enjoy reading it. I recommen it with caution. Think about your own mental health and decide if you are in a steady place to delve into something dark.

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coolbeans995's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

The first half of this book hooked me. The author (who is a good writer) is obviously channeling Stephen King, but where the book falls short in my opinion is the second half. There are too many climaxes. When you think things can't get worse for the characters they do, and when you think there isn't anything else that can go wrong it does, and the last 300 pages are just too much of that. There isn't enough of a satisfying ending to make up for it either.

It had my attention in the first half enough where I wanted to read what happens but the second half was too much. Should have wrapped it up in 100 pages I stead of 300.

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elisammansur's review

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challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

tbh my rating is going more off the vibes i felt throughout the book rather than an objective review. i did enjoy it a lot, the way it’s written hooked me from the start and kept me engaged with the story through the seven hundred pages. i am not religious so, sometimes, the analogies, metaphors, and overall catholic imagery was hard to understand. overall, it’s a better book and more worthwhile than It (Stephen King), with better vibes and a better ending.

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