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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Reading this book, I really felt the impact that Stephen King has had on general fiction - this is a personal opinion and I know other people will dispute, so just my perspective. But like, some of the way this book is written, and some of the more horrific elements, I could easily have seen in a King book. I found it a compelling story, and it gave The Green Mile in some aspects. And to me, that resonated well, so again, as a personal point in Krueger's favour since I'm a big King fan.
All that to say, the triggers were heavy in this book. I feel like it was accurate but wow, it was hard to read some of that stuff. But the plot threads wove together well, and the character arcs had me absolutely holding my breath at some points, even if you could see how some stuff might go (for example, the journals - but the outcome of that was SO up in the air, like what was Garnet going to do?? I HAD to know). I didn't know I'd really enjoy this book but I definitely did.
All that to say, the triggers were heavy in this book. I feel like it was accurate but wow, it was hard to read some of that stuff. But the plot threads wove together well, and the character arcs had me absolutely holding my breath at some points, even if you could see how some stuff might go (for example, the journals - but the outcome of that was SO up in the air, like what was Garnet going to do?? I HAD to know). I didn't know I'd really enjoy this book but I definitely did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Super slow moving. Too many characters and they don’t feel fully developed. Reading some spoilers, I don’t think it’d be worth the commitment.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This book is a load of garbage and completely turned me off from reading books from men, particularly white men who have shown time and time again that they are unable to write work with POC characters or women. Another instance of men using detailed sexual assault/harassment unnecessarily to move a plot forward. It is also of note that the only two POC characters, an indigenous man and a Japanese woman, are murdered and raped respectively. Racist comments and violence are used not even a way that provides commentary or provokes introspection. They are just included and for what? Just another ignorant author using trauma for...entertainment? Shock value?
Tired, boring, and uninspiring. Very confused by the high ratings. What even was this......rape fetish? Asian fetish? Gross and waste of time.
Tired, boring, and uninspiring. Very confused by the high ratings. What even was this......rape fetish? Asian fetish? Gross and waste of time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Murder
3.5 rounded up. This is a police procedural, but it also deals with the trauma and aftermath of men who come back from war. There are some pretty awful things that happen in this book. I didn't love it because of the harsh events, but it does hold up to Krueger's typical quality.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
I adore William Kent Krueger’s writing style. His portrayal of the landscape and setting makes it almost another character.
This book has rich character development and a storyline that twists just enough. While it was a slow start, the action and twists made up for it.
“Our lives and the lives of those we love merge to create a river whose current carries us forward from our beginning to our end. Because we are only one part of the whole, the river each of us remembers is different, and there are many versions of the stories we tell about the past. In all of them there is truth, and in all of them a good deal of innocent misremembering.”
This book has rich character development and a storyline that twists just enough. While it was a slow start, the action and twists made up for it.
“Our lives and the lives of those we love merge to create a river whose current carries us forward from our beginning to our end. Because we are only one part of the whole, the river each of us remembers is different, and there are many versions of the stories we tell about the past. In all of them there is truth, and in all of them a good deal of innocent misremembering.”
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes