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miarae'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
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Child abuse, Torture, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Grief, Blood, Child death, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gaslighting
alicegriff7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Incest, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Death, Drug use, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Domestic abuse, and Rape
sophiemartin'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Grief, Alcohol, Animal death, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Addiction, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Self harm, Mental illness, Rape, Pedophilia, Murder, Body horror, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Forced institutionalization
melsiss14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Child death, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, and Self harm
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This story follows Milly, a teenage girl whose mother has kidnapped and murdered several children. Milly has turned her mother in and is staying at her psychologist's home while she awaits trial to testify against her mother. She is the only one who has the concrete, eyewitness testimony to have her mother convicted. Milly is conflicted because she wants to love her mother and protect her, but she knows that her mother did horrible things and needs to be punished. Milly is also concerned because what if she becomes just like her mother, Afterall, she was groomed to be a part of these twisted games.
I think this story explores the idea of nature versus nurture in an interesting way. Although Milly's mom is the villain and the one on trial, Milly is not entirely innocent herself. The story really raises the question of whether we can forgive heinous acts if the person "does not know better"? Also, how can we prove that the person "does not know better"? Milly is struggling to come to terms with the fact she did the right thing, and her inner turmoil is impeccably written. I also very much enjoyed how Milly's new "sister" for a moment is seemingly evil, and how Milly reacts to her. Their interactions paint the perfect picture of Milly's state of mind.
Although I think the ending of the book was well done and stayed true to Milly's character, it was not what I wanted to see happen. I wanted more of a redemption arc for her.
Overall, I enjoyed this debut, and I would read more from Ali Land in the future.
Graphic: Child death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Murder, Kidnapping, Child abuse, and Death
emilyswift's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Child death, Child abuse, Violence, Sexual assault, Self harm, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug use
taymarie6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping