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tanacef's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Drug abuse, Racism, Alcohol, Addiction, Infertility, Car accident, Gaslighting, Dementia, Drug use, and Religious bigotry
savreads28's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Stalking, Drug use, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Confinement, Blood, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Racism, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Violence, Dementia, Torture, Car accident, and Drug abuse
cup__of__stars's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, and Infidelity
Minor: Racism and Fatphobia
ladypuercoloco's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
I got into this one way more than I expected to - not sure why I chose it/how I came by it until I realized it fulfilled a Kindle Challenge requirement for a Goodreads pick. I read horror/mysteries/thrillers all the time and honestly the blurb sounded a bit familiar to me, but as I got into the book I realized this one really stands out from other nanny horror books I've read. The supernatural aspects are really well done "Anya" being the mother was mind-blowing! I liked the red herring of the mid-century murder plot that wasn't a murder...So many twists and turns came as surprises but even though I marked this spoiler and I seriously doubt anyone cares to read my reviews just in case I won't give more away. . Having known a few addicts in various stages of use/recovery I really liked the future that was laid out for Mallory and the amount of work she was willing to put in. This one was a pleasant early January surprise that will be hopefully setting the pace for the year - I LOVE being surprised by plot twists I really don't see coming!
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Child death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Dysphoria, Addiction, Child abuse, Infertility, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Body horror, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Alcoholism
Overall I don't feel like any particular thing was too graphic but the contents/plot/subplot can be a lot to take in in retrospect. It honestly wasn't until I was looking through the trigger warning list that I realized just how many played a part in this book, but I listed all as mild as none were terribly drawn out. It's a horror book. There are bound to be some horrible things in, especially when it has been an award winner. I rated it just about as high as I ever rate anything - it is excellent at what it does and the elements it is able to work inannaforthebooks's review against another edition
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism
vivireads99's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Let’s give it up for awful “subtle” right-wing propaganda. This book is incredible conservative and uses every liberal stereotype there is. An absolute MASSIVE TW to transphobia. This book had such a cool premise so this was a big let down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Racism, and Racial slurs
moonworld3's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
0.5
let’s leave the transphobia out of writing huh
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Fatphobia, and Racism
ckepic's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Racism
biblio_creep's review against another edition
The first half of it was going along pretty well, and then things took several turns.
From the jump there is a lot of mention about the main character being Christian, and the two other adult main characters being atheist. We are banged over the head with it on several occasions. It just feels icky, like you're getting reminded that atheists are bad people subtly, over and over. And wouldn’t you know, the Christian ends up to be the hero and the Atheists are bad people. Of course.
Then, we get a plot point/twist using gender identity that I found to be very problematic. In short, it's transphobic. And, it's full of right-wing dog whistles.
Additionally, it's not even well written. There are many other plot points that are introduced and then not mentioned again until the very end, and didn’t even need to be there. And, a lot of confusing or stupid decisions by characters. Just a trope filled mess.
My advice is to not waste your time.
From the jump there is a lot of mention about the main character being Christian, and the two other adult main characters being atheist. We are banged over the head with it on several occasions. It just feels icky, like you're getting reminded that atheists are bad people subtly, over and over. And wouldn’t you know, the Christian ends up to be the hero and the Atheists are bad people. Of course.
Then, we get a plot point/twist using gender identity that I found to be very problematic. In short, it's transphobic. And, it's full of right-wing dog whistles.
Additionally, it's not even well written. There are many other plot points that are introduced and then not mentioned again until the very end, and didn’t even need to be there. And, a lot of confusing or stupid decisions by characters. Just a trope filled mess.
My advice is to not waste your time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
mal_reads_books's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The story was gripping and suspenseful, full of red herrings that actually tricked and surprised me. I loved how the drawings were included so that I felt immersed in the story. Overall, it's one of the better thrillers I've read.
However, it gave me weird vibes at times.
The "male gaze" experiment at the beginning was weird and didn't relate to the rest of the story.
The anti-religious parents were stereotypical liberals who don't even say "bless you" or celebrate Christmas. They have discussions with the child about private parts and exposing oneself, even buying a graphic sex book for the child. The main character is Christian and saves the child from the parents, who kidnapped the child and forced the child to change gender. The child transitions back to a girl and the main character goes "I knew [the child] was a girl all along." . Reviewers have debated whether this book is transphobic. On a surface level, it may not seem so. Given this was published last year and alludes to right-wing views on the matter, I feel the author was making a statement supporting these ideas.
There were also fatphobic statements like "she ballooned to a size eight", which is not even fat. The main character criticized her mom for being fat and unhelpful, but all is well when she loses weight.
Other issues include one-dimensional stereotypical characters such the crazy right-wing neighbor and the main character's landscaper Latino friend, and how technology turns children into zombies.
To an extent, I enjoyed the book. I liked its originality with the drawings. Unfortunately, it got heavy-handed with the political and religious ideology, especially toward the end.
However, it gave me weird vibes at times.
The "male gaze" experiment at the beginning was weird and didn't relate to the rest of the story.
The anti-religious parents were stereotypical liberals who don't even say "bless you" or celebrate Christmas. They have discussions with the child about private parts and exposing oneself, even buying a graphic sex book for the child. The main character is Christian and saves the child from the parents
There were also fatphobic statements like "she ballooned to a size eight", which is not even fat. The main character criticized her mom for being fat and unhelpful, but all is well when she loses weight.
Other issues include one-dimensional stereotypical characters such the crazy right-wing neighbor and the main character's landscaper Latino friend, and how technology turns children into zombies.
To an extent, I enjoyed the book. I liked its originality with the drawings. Unfortunately, it got heavy-handed with the political and religious ideology, especially toward the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Racism