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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
261 chapters is far too many to tell a story of this magnitude. The narrator changes without introducing who is telling the following chapter, and it detracts from the story. Ultimately, this is a slow post-traumatic novel, not the crime thriller /drama it's marketed as. The characters are grey and developed, but I couldn't find them lovable. Ultimately, I was more relieved to have finished this story than have read it.
I finished the book but I almost quit reading and wanted to just read the end. Some things struck me as really off - when Charlotte was a kid and swearing and really vulgar that really bothered me. Kids didn’t know those words, especially back then and in her family situation (money). Also the obsessions that lasted years, the way the author jumped around just to leave the reader hanging, and the tedious descriptions and total recall that Patch had. Exhausting!
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
Ugh. I wanted to like this so much more. Really nice writing and interesting storyline, but the plot was a bit muddled, and keeping track of characters and timeline was tricky. Still would recommend, but with the knowledge that it is very slow in the middle. Could’ve been edited for length.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Abortion, Murder
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A slow and somewhat disorienting experience, but one I ultimately wanted to finish. The novel is rich in characters and layered timelines, which can be intriguing in theory, but I found myself frequently retracing my steps just to keep track of who was who. The names and relationships often blurred together, making it hard to stay grounded in the story.
That said, it’s important to acknowledge that I read this book during a difficult period of mourning. My mind was foggy, and perhaps the story’s complexity felt heavier because of that. I wouldn’t call it a page-turner, but it held just enough intrigue and emotional pull to keep me reading. There’s a quiet persistence in the way the narrative unfolds. More about shocking twists and more about the long, slow burn of truth and grief.
In the end, while it wasn’t an easy or escapist read, All the Colors of the Dark had a certain gravity that stayed with me. It’s not a book I’d recommend for someone looking for a fast-paced thriller, but it might resonate more deeply with readers who are ready to sit with its weight.
That said, it’s important to acknowledge that I read this book during a difficult period of mourning. My mind was foggy, and perhaps the story’s complexity felt heavier because of that. I wouldn’t call it a page-turner, but it held just enough intrigue and emotional pull to keep me reading. There’s a quiet persistence in the way the narrative unfolds. More about shocking twists and more about the long, slow burn of truth and grief.
In the end, while it wasn’t an easy or escapist read, All the Colors of the Dark had a certain gravity that stayed with me. It’s not a book I’d recommend for someone looking for a fast-paced thriller, but it might resonate more deeply with readers who are ready to sit with its weight.
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Would have benefitted from editing length.