Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge

5 reviews

jordanwilde's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I can honestly say I was emotionally involved with the characters from start to finish. At its core, it's a survival story. The author allows you to connect with the characters on their own, and reminds us why we keep rooting for them. At first I felt like the book was missing a huge plot point at the end, but really it's not. I think that comes from me wanting it to end differently, but alas, that's not the story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Child death

Minor: Suicide

The ending features a very challenging loss of a stillborn child and then the mother as a result of the birth. This may be a very triggering part of the novel for a family who has lived this nightmare.

wonderenglish's review against another edition

2.0

I do not understand the hype for this book. It was so hard for me to get through. The only time I felt actual concern for the characters was at the very end. Main character was constantly sexualizing Sophie, even commenting about her weight loss, BECAUSE THEY ARE STRANDED ON AN ISLAND, causing her "assests" to shrink. I felt no connection to either character. Perhaps this was due to the 3rd person narrative or maybe it was just the lack of depth particularly in Sophie. Barry was given so much background in comparison to her, it really felt to me like a self-insert with a hot girl situation. 

Overall this book is pretentious and thinks it's way deeper than it is. Also the fact that Barry's "quirk" is that he's obsessed with his contact lenses is actually laughable. Good lord. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

rachelkreadsbookz's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death and Death

Plane crash and drowning

stillbirth and traumatic birth experience

hansbookshelf's review against another edition

5.0

I cried.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Child death

jenalee's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring sad fast-paced

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

4.0

I adored most of this book. The writing pulled me in immediately and I was totally captivated by this story, although it often reminded me of that movie “Eight Days, Seven Nights” with Anne Heche and Harrison Ford (not great). I fell in love with both Barry and Sophie, and while I cried at the end and felt all the emotions in my bones... I still wanted to know more! I tore through this book because I just had to know how they got off the island, but I feel a bit let down. Still a 4 star read for me, and I would definitely read anything by Dane Huckelbridge in the future! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death