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asuperdoc's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Murder and Rape
Minor: Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
bex4dayz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Rape, Suicide, Violence, and Sexual violence
Minor: Police brutality
carlyjb16's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Drug abuse and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Infidelity
novellearts's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
dblue236's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
This book was wildly unrealistic, almost to the point of being laughable, but that didn't stop me from being entertained by it. I definitely had to suspend reality on multiple occasions, and to be honest, I could have done without the scene of sexual assault that felt a bit like an afterthought. The plot could have used some tightening up, but once I learned not to expect realism, I mostly enjoyed the book in the same way I might enjoy a corny slasher flick. You won't need a lot of brain cells for this one, but it was a fun ride nonetheless.
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Violence, Death of parent, Addiction, and Drug use
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, and Kidnapping
heathers94's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Suicide and Rape
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
"None of them ever knew who I really am under this façade, beneath the scar tissue."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Bantam in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
I love a good thriller with a foreign setting and/or travel element, so of course I simply HAD to add The Dive to my TBR as soon as I first heard about it. It was cover love at first sight, and not only because of that paradise background, but also because of what is written below the title. What better way to draw a reader in than with the words 'We hope you survive your stay'? It worked for me at least... Add the scuba diving, death and the promise of secrets, and I've been looking forward to read The Dive.
What a ride it turned out to be! One of the reasons I ended up having such a great time reading The Dive most definitely has to do with the setting. Like I said before, I love a story with a foreign setting and/or travel element, and this story offers both. The Dive is set on a small island in Thailand, and the many vivid descriptions of the setting really make Koh Sang come alive. I was ready to jump on the next plane to paradise long before that final page! The fact that the story is set at a resort and shows what life is like working in tourism really spoke to me (I've worked as a hostel receptionist at various Latin American locations in the past), and I liked what this added to the plot.
The Dive uses what is basically a dual POV structure (if you don't count the prologue and epilogue). The story switches between scuba diving instructor Cass and guest/influencer Brooke, which I personally really appreciated as this way we could see both sides of life at the resort. Both Brooke and Cass seem to be hiding something, and this made it intriguing to see the two interact and watch the story unfold. I did think that Cass' secret was drawn out too much, and it started to get a bit annoying... But I could understand why she did the things she did considering her mental state.
The writing style is very engaging, and it's very easy to just keep turning those pages. Especially once the first body shows up, and the tension and suspense increases with each chapter. What really happened that night, was it murder and who would be behind it? What secrets and possibly shady pasts are the characters hiding? There seems to be something off about just about every single one of the Permanents, and as a result there are plenty of suspects to play around with in your head. And while I guessed part of the truth right, and never saw the full picture coming... That epilogue was brilliantly done.
If you are looking for a well written, engaging and suspenseful thriller with a tropical setting and plenty of secrets and suspects, The Dive is an excellent choice. Make sure to brace yourself for a wild ride!
Graphic: Addiction, Stalking, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Bullying, Child abuse, Car accident, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Rape, Alcohol, Classism, Death of parent, Police brutality, Self harm, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship