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sauvageloup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
pros:
- the cult setting was extremely well done, very frightening and sinister and the traumatic effect on Robin and the others was obvious in their reactions. It definitely made you think about the horrors of cults.
- sadly J.K. is a talented writer and the pacing and characters are very good, with the complicated plot coming together and the characters growing throughout, to a degree.
cons
- the plot did feel too complicated towards the end as I struggled to keep straight who certain people were, including Graves and Abigail and some others. Would probably reward a reread.
- Strike was a bit annoying in this book, as he seemed naive/careless about the torment Robin went through (which though well addressed as it was happening and immediately after, seemed to be forgotten as the plot came together at the end), his jealousy towards Murphy is tiring, and his lack of action towards Robin gets frustrating.
- J.K. is clearly also making a point about how the law hesitates to go against people for PC reasons and overly tip toeing around sensitive issues, like religious freedom and people living differently. Strike snidely says 'live and let live' to criticise the cult. I think she is doing a subtle dig here towards trans people and their rights.
but overall another compelling Robin and Strike novel, probably the one that gripped me most so far with the scary cult plot.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gaslighting, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Stalking, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic friendship, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Murder, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Abortion, Body horror, Medical content, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, Drug abuse, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Pedophilia, and Alcohol
All the content warnings here, very dark.magicsarah's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Suicide attempt, Torture, Trafficking, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Violence, Homophobia, Child death, Dementia, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Sexual assault, Slavery, Child abuse, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Suicide
Moderate: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Classism, Addiction, Alcohol, and Death of parent
ashleygreenslibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Misogyny, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Rape, Child abuse, Child death, Miscarriage, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Abortion, Addiction, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Trafficking, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug use, and Violence
madelaney'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? It's complicated
4.5
Minor: Pedophilia, Confinement, Addiction, Grief, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Trafficking, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Torture, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Slavery, Pregnancy, Murder, Drug use, Violence, Death, Bullying, Blood, Abandonment, Child death, Self harm, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Drug abuse, Cancer, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Miscarriage, and Mental illness