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so_tru's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual content, and Violence
slascano'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: Addiction, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
verdenrow's review against another edition
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
clareash's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Sexual assault
smagzisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Miscarriage, Rape, and Sexual assault
unfiltered_fiction's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Miscarriage and Police brutality
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Car accident
jaxgirl007's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Merriam Webster defines 'gutted' as: to destroy the inside of
This book was such a hard read. The list of trigger warnings is long: sexual abuse, rape, drug abuse, animal cruelty...there's more but I'm a bit stunned after finishing this and so I'm sure I'm missing some of them.
Somehow I was compelled to keep going. The writing definitely runs heavy with the purple prose and I normally don't like that but it worked for me this time. It made me feel like I was experiencing the floating haziness that Arc and the others in the story were experiencing because of their drug use. The extra wordiness did tend to drag the story out a bit long than necessary. The first 3/4 of the book, I was mesmerized; the last part was too much for me. But I also felt like I needed some of the purple prose sections to recover from the more reality based happenings...it became an escape for me just like it was for the characters.
I think what also kept me going was hope: I really did want Arc (and the others) to find a way out of the terrible life she was in and I kept reading hoping she would get there....I was pulling for her to make it. I saw the end coming
I think it's important to mention that the serial killer/murder aspect of the story is a small part of the plot. While this is inspired by the real-life case of the Chillicothe Six, this is not a story about an investigation into a serial killer. The vast majority of the story is given to Arc, her family and her friends' struggles with addiction and the (100% horrific) impact on their lives.
I have respect for this book and think it is very well-written. I put McDaniel's other book, 'Betty' on my TBR...but not for a while as I will need some time to recover from this one. If you can stomach the subject matter, it is a haunting story that will definitely give a reader a lot to think about.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
ksanderss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
2.0
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
kayahcherie's review against another edition
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, and Violence
cclardo's review against another edition
5.0
This book is not for everyone. Check content warnings and know that portions of this book are like a gut punch.
I also want to note that I have seen this marketed in the mystery/thriller category and that is a misrepresentation of the book. If you are looking for a heartbreaking exploration of self and survival, read this book. If you are looking for a mystery/thriller about a serial killer and a potential victim, this will not scratch that itch.
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Rape, and Violence
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy