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bookedwithbrie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Violence
kaddyren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use and Grief
Minor: Car accident and Miscarriage
ptitirodactyle'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
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Police brutality, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Infidelity, Police brutality, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Car accident, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Pregnancy, and Blood
rchains'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
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Alcoholism
dannythestreet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood, Classism, Sexual content, Stalking, Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Abortion
abzster53's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Abandonment, and Alcoholism
hannahbailey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Oh to be a Riva! On the surface, the four Riva siblings seem to have it all: fame, fortune and each other. But by the end of the night, everything's changed. This is what drew me in, that the whole book was set over the course of one night. The character analysis started off well and I enjoyed the switch between flashbacks and present day as we learned more and more about the Rivas.
I was expecting 80s beach-babe Malibu vibes, but I wasn't expecting this book to approach and handle some heavier topics like death, grief, divorce, betrayal, alcoholism and family issues. Although it is a TJR book, so actually that's on me for not thinking this would pack an emotional punch. I thought these topics were handled well, and the characters struggles felt realistic. I was able to empathise with them despite their sickening level of wealth (rich kids 😔🥲).
The first part was setting up for something massive—secrets revealed and people exposed. I was excited to watch it all unravel over the course of a night. However, what followed was an underwhelming and understated second half. New characters were introduced too frequently to fully care (which I admit is truthful of large parties) and so much more could've been done when a certain character arrived. I was left disappointed and sad. The ending was emotional but not in a cathartic way–although I guess life is often like that. These characters deserved better endings!
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Misogyny, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
kaitlynnnng'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Some of the chapters about other people at the party were interesting, but I found most of them to be confusing and unnecessary.
To me, this book didn’t have a “wow” factor, but I did enjoy reading it.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, Alcohol, and Infidelity
Moderate: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Abortion, Gun violence, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Car accident, and Domestic abuse
guivx5's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I find interesting that every Jenkins book I've read so far differs quite a bit in their formats. "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" bases itself in an interview recording scenario; "Daisy Jones & The Six" is centered around an actual interview transcript. "Malibu Rising", on the other hand, is centered around what happens when the cameras are turned off.
The book is divided in two very defined parts, a very bold move. It was, together with her cutting-edge writing style, risky: if the story was not well supported, it would fall upon itself. But it didn't, because it is a hell of a story. Maybe missing some bits here and there, but very consistent. The consistency between her books is a prime indicator of the care and passion put in these stories. You can feel, with every line, Jenkin's efforts to honor these characters.
About the inconsistencies, they're truly not the biggest deal. Not even that big of a deal.
The book's two parts are very different, with the first one focusing on the past and the second one truly devoting itself to express the wild nature of an out-of-control party. Again, risky. But I like it.
The most heartbreaking thing for Jenkins's fans after reading "Malibu Rising" is realizing that Mick Riva appeared in almost every recent book of hers. He was everywhere, but never where he was needed: with his children.
...
I swear to God, this woman puts crack between the lines of her books.
Graphic: Abandonment, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Sexism, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Addiction, and Alcohol
Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Sexism, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Car accident, and Gun violence
trudyreads's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Drug use