Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - Magpie

Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

cbillo17's review

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Really enjoyed the twist in this book, deals with fertility/infertility issues, mental health issues. Well written.

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dlrosebyh's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

If this novel had a warning, it would be, “Never trust anyone with a J name”.

Yes, we hear that warning almost everywhere— whether in social media or in our friend groups, however this novel rather takes that warning quite literally.

Magpie follows three characters: Jake, Marisa, and Kate. Despite only having known Jake for a few months, Marisa has never felt quite this confident in a person. She knows she has at last found the unwavering love and support she has been searching for her entire life when he asks her to move in with him and they begin trying for a child. However, when they take in Kate as a lodger, who seems to have little regard for personal boundaries and shows an unsettling interest in both Jake and the unborn child they are hoping to have, their relationship is put to the test.

With the plot given, I didn’t really know what to expect in this novel. I mean, I’ll be honest: I’ve never really liked thrillers or mysteries like the vast majority. With that given, let’s just say that I found this book rather mid. If you know me, you know that if I like a book, especially if I’m reading it digitally, I finish it quickly. Well, while, yes, I did finish this book in like three days, I can’t help but compare it to my experience with other thriller or mystery novels that I’ve finished in one sitting. For me, one of the most important aspects in a thriller novel is for it to be gripping. I don’t want to read a thriller novel to be read slowly, I want to be intrigued; I want to be with the characters. And unfortunately for Magpie, I didn’t really feel that.

I do know that I am not the target audience for this novel. I’ll admit it. I lack knowledge when it comes to marriage, adulthood, surrogation— and I don’t know if it’s because I’m used to fantasy novels, but I wished that some parts were explained more profoundly. And what’s even more annoying is that some parts felt like dragged. And that for me, is a turn-off.

Overall, I think this book is just alright. It’s what you think of when you hear of a three-star-read. While I didn’t enjoy the book as much as other people, I do believe that it is an outstanding book on its own. So if you think this book is for you, then why not give it a shot.

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