kupid's review
1.0
i tried this author for the second time after not liking the first book i read from her.. i shouldn't have. the constant perspective of 'they're mentally ill so they must be batshit crazy' is so overused and damaging, i'm sick of it. it's the same issue i had with her last book. apart from that, i just don't like her writing.
the premise is so strong, but the execution was just horrible. it played on disgusting stereotypes and strangely didn't focus on the subject of grief as much as expected. take whiny, annoying mothers and weird yet horribly written sons, add a few unnecessary plot twists, a random serial killer and you get this book.
examples/ spoilers below:
- jules was just there for shock value, she didn't need to be a recurring perspective, and her involvement with isaac was completely unnecessary. i'd have rather read isaacs perspective, like in gone girl.
- the whole 'sharing violence through gaming' plot twist (if you can call it that) was just thrown in out of nowhere, with no previous indications at all.
- out of nowhere they just started discussing isaacs anger, it felt so clunky, like the first part was focused on jules and the second part was focused on isaac, whereas they should've flowed together at the very least.
the premise is so strong, but the execution was just horrible. it played on disgusting stereotypes and strangely didn't focus on the subject of grief as much as expected. take whiny, annoying mothers and weird yet horribly written sons, add a few unnecessary plot twists, a random serial killer and you get this book.
examples/ spoilers below:
Spoiler
examples:- jules was just there for shock value, she didn't need to be a recurring perspective, and her involvement with isaac was completely unnecessary. i'd have rather read isaacs perspective, like in gone girl.
- the whole 'sharing violence through gaming' plot twist (if you can call it that) was just thrown in out of nowhere, with no previous indications at all.
- out of nowhere they just started discussing isaacs anger, it felt so clunky, like the first part was focused on jules and the second part was focused on isaac, whereas they should've flowed together at the very least.
erinjaine's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
I really wanted to enjoy this more after reading other books by the author. This felt like too many things were going on, until it was a bit of a jumble at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mass/school shootings and Suicide attempt
lilahparker's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shereadsbecause's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jenisliterate's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sjscho95's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
3.5