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sib_reads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Violence, Abortion, Medical content, Mental illness, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Infertility, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Stalking, Abandonment, Cursing, Pedophilia, and Grief
breeburkitt's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
It's very difficult to review "Magpie" without giving away any spoilers. The story starts with Marisa and Jake, a relatively new couple living together and trying for a baby. She soon becomes pregnant and they take on a lodger to ease money issues. Marisa isn't comfortable with the lodger, Kate, though. She seems too interested in her pregnancy and overly comfortable with Jake, her home and even Marisa's life.
The twist comes in. as we switch to Kate's point of view. The twist is a good one that I didn't see coming. However, it's revealed about a third of the way through the book and then.... nothing else really happens. The story builds to such a stellar crescendo to then fall flat, playing out far too slowly and caving to overly-familiar tropes. I kept feeling like something else was going to happen — that it had to happen. Instead, I was disappointed with an ending that just wrapped up too neatly.
Author Elizabeth Day's easily consumable writing style is a standout in the genre and makes for a quick — albeit disappointing — read.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sharing this advance copy with me in exchange for my honest review.
2.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility
Moderate: Abortion
shutupiamreading's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Infertility, Sexual assault, Rape, and Mental illness
Moderate: Pregnancy
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