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dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Kidnapping, Death of parent
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism, Lesbophobia, Pandemic/Epidemic
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
I enjoyed this more than I expected. I know it's very common these days to have a neurodivergent main character and look at the "quirky" way they view the world in a book but this one makes sense as a reaction to severe trauma and social isolation.
I enjoyed that Sally does indeed have an interesting view of the world and seeks therapy to improve her quality of life after her father passes away, despite dealing with the aftermath of the corpse-burning incident. The additional backstory is engaging and sad and the ending is quite realistic for the kind of story it is, which I always appreciate.
I don't want to spoil anything for this book but it's an excellent example of passing on generational trauma and how the actions of parents can deeply impact the lives of their children.
I enjoyed that Sally does indeed have an interesting view of the world and seeks therapy to improve her quality of life after her father passes away, despite dealing with the aftermath of the corpse-burning incident. The additional backstory is engaging and sad and the ending is quite realistic for the kind of story it is, which I always appreciate.
I don't want to spoil anything for this book but it's an excellent example of passing on generational trauma and how the actions of parents can deeply impact the lives of their children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Rape, Violence, Kidnapping
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a very unusual read! I loved how different this book is from most others I have read. It does dive deep into themes that can be triggering, so just be aware of that.
I think the author did a really great job of developing her two main characters, showing the reader the different ways the two were raised and how it affected their lives in similar yet very different ways. She makes you feel empathetic towards the two of them, and I honestly was rooting for them both to end up okay! The book really focuses on the idea of nature vs. nurture, and I found it very interesting to deliberate throughout the book.
I took off a bit because I felt like the ending of the book was a little unfinished, almost abrupt. I would have liked to have some of the loose ends wrapped up, but that was probably intentional by the author.
I think the author did a really great job of developing her two main characters, showing the reader the different ways the two were raised and how it affected their lives in similar yet very different ways. She makes you feel empathetic towards the two of them, and I honestly was rooting for them both to end up okay! The book really focuses on the idea of nature vs. nurture, and I found it very interesting to deliberate throughout the book.
I took off a bit because I felt like the ending of the book was a little unfinished, almost abrupt. I would have liked to have some of the loose ends wrapped up, but that was probably intentional by the author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Kidnapping
Too dark and disturbing for my current phase of life I'm a new mum and I found the separation of a mother from her child and child abuse elements too upsetting to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Kidnapping
Traumatic separation of a mother and child
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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
📖: After her adoptive father dies, Sally Diamond uncovers the truth about her past.
CW: This book includes some disturbing content (specific topics not included here to prevent spoilers)– check content warnings if you’re concerned.
Recommended to me by a friend– this was SO SO GOOD– such a compelling (but traumatic) story! This was a book that ended in a totally different place than it started, which is always enjoyable. The ending was complicated and not necessarily happy for everyone, but that felt akin to real life. Similarly, I appreciated that, as a character, Sally made a TON of growth, but her growth wasn’t always linear.
CW: This book includes some disturbing content (specific topics not included here to prevent spoilers)– check content warnings if you’re concerned.
Recommended to me by a friend– this was SO SO GOOD– such a compelling (but traumatic) story! This was a book that ended in a totally different place than it started, which is always enjoyable. The ending was complicated and not necessarily happy for everyone, but that felt akin to real life. Similarly, I appreciated that, as a character, Sally made a TON of growth, but her growth wasn’t always linear.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape, Kidnapping
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Kidnapping
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
got me hooked from the beginning and felt it portrayed sallys character very well - the plot line kept me engaged but wasn’t a massive fan of the ending felt like there were a few loose ends to tie up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Kidnapping, Murder
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Pregnancy
Moderate: Lesbophobia
Minor: Car accident