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pernillelsk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Death of parent, Torture, Mental illness, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Adult/minor relationship, and Rape
Minor: Infidelity and Infertility
villenview's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
While the core mystery of this book was interesting (if not a bit procedural), I was very frustrated by the outlandish behavior of the main characters, which worsened as the book went on.
Our main character, Cyrus, is a clinical psychologist who experienced extreme trauma as a kid. Despite what the book suggests to be "good intentions," he repeatedly makes incredibly unethical decisions in his job with the police and also in his care of in-and-out of the system Evie, a teenager who has also experienced extreme childhood trauma (though arguably more extreme than Cyrus). I understand that this is the point of the story: in trying to help Evie, Cyrus himself learns also how to heal.
While poetic in theory, in practice, the book creates a false equivalency between Cyrus and Evie's experiences that really does a disservice to Evie's extremely recent and horrific abuse. Any clinical practitioner worth their salt would NEVER prioritize their personal relationship with a patient over the patients well-being, and would also take very great pains to avoid conflicts of interest such as being responsible for the care and treatment of a patient who then comes to live in your house! Especially when that patient is a very traumatized young woman!!! (BIG red flags here!)
As someone who works in a mental health-adjacent field, not only was I shocked at this representation of a psychologist, but it destroyed any possible credibility that the character of Cyrus had. I was more than a little disturbed that Evie's placement with Cyrus is presented to be basically her only option to leave in-patientincarceration treatment (the red flag alarm is deafening).
Of course, Evie living with Cyrus causes ~plot things~ to happen (some pretty silly things at that). Because the crimes committed against Evie are not the focus of the core mystery, I felt like her chapters read very sensationalist as a result. It leaves the sinking impression that Evie is more of a plot device for Cyrus's personal development, which is (in my view) the exacty opposite of what should be the priority.
I recognize that I am being pretty harsh with my criticism here. However, for a book about how the trauma that kids experience leaves them lost and often uncared for, I feel like the bare minimum isn't met here to even sort of handle this topic appropriately.
Our main character, Cyrus, is a clinical psychologist who experienced extreme trauma as a kid. Despite what the book suggests to be "good intentions," he repeatedly makes incredibly unethical decisions in his job with the police and also in his care of in-and-out of the system Evie, a teenager who has also experienced extreme childhood trauma (though arguably more extreme than Cyrus). I understand that this is the point of the story: in trying to help Evie, Cyrus himself learns also how to heal.
While poetic in theory, in practice, the book creates a false equivalency between Cyrus and Evie's experiences that really does a disservice to Evie's extremely recent and horrific abuse. Any clinical practitioner worth their salt would NEVER prioritize their personal relationship with a patient over the patients well-being, and would also take very great pains to avoid conflicts of interest such as being responsible for the care and treatment of a patient who then comes to live in your house! Especially when that patient is a very traumatized young woman!!! (BIG red flags here!)
As someone who works in a mental health-adjacent field, not only was I shocked at this representation of a psychologist, but it destroyed any possible credibility that the character of Cyrus had. I was more than a little disturbed that Evie's placement with Cyrus is presented to be basically her only option to leave in-patient
Of course, Evie living with Cyrus causes ~plot things~ to happen (some pretty silly things at that). Because the crimes committed against Evie are not the focus of the core mystery, I felt like her chapters read very sensationalist as a result. It leaves the sinking impression that Evie is more of a plot device for Cyrus's personal development, which is (in my view) the exacty opposite of what should be the priority.
I recognize that I am being pretty harsh with my criticism here. However, for a book about how the trauma that kids experience leaves them lost and often uncared for, I feel like the bare minimum isn't met here to even sort of handle this topic appropriately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Child abuse, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Incest
rojo25's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Child abuse, and Incest
nadine7's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Sexual assault
dawnstrickland's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death, and Violence
Minor: Incest
jaycrust's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Outing, and Rape
missredreads20's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Incest, and Adult/minor relationship
sailortea_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Incest
afterthestorms's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I actually really liked this book. It's not that different from many other thrillers but the author build an interesting plot ( I didn't manage to guess the end for a change!) and the characters have depth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Incest
mydearwatsonbooks's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Infertility