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kimsbookshelf_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Death, Gun violence, Murder, Sexual assault, Grief, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Rape, Pedophilia, and Self harm
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
3.0
“Curiously enough, emotional torment was far more intense than physical pain.”
I've enjoyed Sebastian Fitzek's crime thrillers in the past, and I admit that the blurb of Passenger 23 caught my eye immediately. I loved the sound of the setting on a cruise ship and the mystery around the disappearances on those ships... And of course the promise of a serial killer always seals the deal for me. Just when I scheduled to read this backlist title, I was actually also approved for an ARC of the translation of his newest book... Destiny or perfect timing? Anyhow, I decided to read Passenger 23 first, because the blurb kept popping up in my mind. Somehow, I didn't exactly have the reading experience I thought I was going to have though. I usually like his thrillers because they are both fast-paced and action-packed, but I think I like the premise more than the actual story in this case. It's a bit like that Netflix series 1899 (also originally German by the way); what sounded initially intriguing soon went right over my head and had me mostly bored and distracted instead. The beginning of the story kind of hit me out of nowhere, and I struggled to see a connection initially. Things did improve as soon as main character Martin boarded the cruise ship, but there were just too many different characters and storylines going on at the same time, and the result was a bit of a mess for me. There were also quite a few twists that were way over the top, and I don't think the final reveals were credible either. I can overlook a story lacking credibility if the entertainment factor is there (which is what usually happens with his books), but in this case the story somehow never managed to convince me completely.
Graphic: Violence, Death, Child death, Self harm, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Suicide, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Rape, Torture, and Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse and Incest
sophie_theresia_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Torture, Rape, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, Bullying, Child death, Death, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Pedophilia, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
juliethebookcat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Incest, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Excrement, and Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Rape, Self harm, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt