Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

11 reviews

readinglibraesq's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder, Drug use, and Drug abuse

hannaashaffer's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

i enjoyed the story more than i enjoyed the authors storytelling. definitely a page turner but i dont know…i had my qualms 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Violence, Physical abuse, Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Drug use

Moderate: Cancer, Torture, and Terminal illness

peyviz's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I enjoyed this book overall. My only complaint is it went on a little too long after the main storyline was over, the ending could have been shorter. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Stalking, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Death, Addiction, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Blood, and Gore

Moderate: Alcohol, Cancer, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, and Medical content

Minor: Abandonment and War

alicefaye_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Terminal illness, Cancer, Child abuse, Murder, Confinement, Blood, Medical content, Gun violence, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Medical trauma

taelights's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

This book really hooked me from the first chapter. The concept was just so interesting to me and exploring the lengths people will go to save a loved one has always been a topic I've found interesting in media. So from the get go I love this book. 

However, it kind of lost me in the second half. The first half focused on the topics I liked. It had great pacing and tension, moments that had me on the edge of my seat, and so many intriguing characters and choices.

The second half had potential because exploring the aftermath of the trauma could have been super interesting but it went in a totally different direction than what I wanted. I thought what the author decided to go with was super unrealistic and overdramatic. Also the characterization of the person running the Chain was just so bad lol. 

Also, I thought the ending was

way too happy? Like I love happy endings, don't get me wrong, but this one was unrealistically happy. The characters expierence so much trauma in the book yet seemed to fully get over it super fast. Also the "babies ever after" trope was really unnecessary in this book. Honestly the romance to begin with was unnecessary but the baby especially. Like ah yes what an on and off cancer patient and her drug addict boyfriend who she's only with due to a trauma bond definitely need a baby.

Anyways this could have been a 5 star read but unfortunately the second half of the book knocked it down to a 4 star for me. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Confinement, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug use, Cancer, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Suicide, Child death, and Drug abuse

Minor: Pregnancy

hellokatya's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

i really enjoyed this book. i had a hard time putting it down. i will admit, i was a little underwhelmed with the ending, and was left with a few questions, but nothing detrimental to the story. great fast paced and quick read. 10/10 would recommend

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Drug abuse, Terminal illness, Cancer, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Physical abuse, War, Grief, Gun violence, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Vomit

sammyb's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Drug use, Murder, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Alcohol, Cancer, Chronic illness, Confinement, Drug abuse, Gun violence, and Kidnapping

alexisgarcia's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I really didn’t like this book. the writing was not my favorite, the characters felt illegitimate, and the ending/reveal was cheap and obvious in my opinion. after reading the back i was so incredibly excited to read and love this but it just felt like a first draft :(

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Cancer

autumnwhite's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Child death, Drug use, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Violence, Cancer, Chronic illness, Confinement, Drug abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Gun violence, Medical content, and Vomit

mpango's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, and Murder