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bekkabergamot's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
This was a dark but fascinating read. Marissa Mo is in her late twenties and still struggling to survive after a very extreme childhood. Marissa was born in a basement prison to a mother who had been abducted and raped and raised with two other girls, her half-sisters, who were born to two other abducted women. Sadly, her dark past has continued to haunt her leaving part of her always stuck in the basement.
The book alternates between Marissa, who now goes by the name Claire Lu, move to Portland, where a serial killer is leaving personalized clues and hints of the next kill for Claire/Marissa, and a flashback to events in the basement. While this was not a pleasant read per the content matter, I found myself drawn into the story and needing to know who the killer was. Therefore, I did enjoy this engrossing, dark read! I recommend this for fans of dark thrillers and domestic dramas.
A note on other reviews: I think that it’s really important that reviewers check their own bias when reviewing books, especially when they are by BIPOC authors (as is the case here). I saw a one-star review that bemoaned not finding out more about the city of Portland: get a guidebook; the book is set in Portland not about the city! Although, interestingly enough another reviewer said they are from Portland and that the author did get the city right in her description of it. Additionally, they claimed that the girls in the book are not American – this is incorrect. The girls were all born in a basement in America: they are American, but they are not all white. What I think tripped this reviewer up is that one of the girls’ mothers is Asian American, one is Indian American, and the last was white – a truly cringey misreading. It’s really important to pay attention to these details, especially when deducting stars for them. Oh, and the reviewer claimed that “all the characters had unusual names and this I felt didn’t help me imagine Portland or its culture.” The three sisters’ names are: Marissa (who goes by Claire), Jenessa, and Lily. Reviewers, we need to do better!!!!
The book alternates between Marissa, who now goes by the name Claire Lu, move to Portland, where a serial killer is leaving personalized clues and hints of the next kill for Claire/Marissa, and a flashback to events in the basement. While this was not a pleasant read per the content matter, I found myself drawn into the story and needing to know who the killer was. Therefore, I did enjoy this engrossing, dark read! I recommend this for fans of dark thrillers and domestic dramas.
A note on other reviews: I think that it’s really important that reviewers check their own bias when reviewing books, especially when they are by BIPOC authors (as is the case here). I saw a one-star review that bemoaned not finding out more about the city of Portland: get a guidebook; the book is set in Portland not about the city! Although, interestingly enough another reviewer said they are from Portland and that the author did get the city right in her description of it. Additionally, they claimed that the girls in the book are not American – this is incorrect. The girls were all born in a basement in America: they are American, but they are not all white. What I think tripped this reviewer up is that one of the girls’ mothers is Asian American, one is Indian American, and the last was white – a truly cringey misreading. It’s really important to pay attention to these details, especially when deducting stars for them. Oh, and the reviewer claimed that “all the characters had unusual names and this I felt didn’t help me imagine Portland or its culture.” The three sisters’ names are: Marissa (who goes by Claire), Jenessa, and Lily. Reviewers, we need to do better!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Kidnapping, and Confinement
Moderate: Child abuse and Rape
Minor: Pedophilia
amandaamanda's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Murder, and Self harm
Moderate: Kidnapping and Sexual assault
Minor: Pedophilia and Incest
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