Scan barcode
dtrain3000's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I thought the author did a good job weaving the paranormal and mystery elements as well as balancing flashbacks and present day...up to a point.
A little more than halfway through the book, I didn't understand the importance of the flashbacks anymore. It felt more like plot filler. Because of this, I think the present-day arc of the story suffered. The mystery portion/conspiracy feels forced and ends rather abruptly.
While the main character goes through development, the other characters in the book are one-dimensional and not fully fleshed out.
Nevertheless, it was a quick mystery read that was still fun to read. I would warn everyone that there are highly graphic descriptions of crime scenes for anyone who is triggered by that.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Murder
jourdanicus's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
The story was propulsive, with believable (if not overly deep) characters and a fairly tight plot. I enjoyed the back and forth timeline. Aspects of Navajo beliefs, culture, and family history/life were woven in to a crime drama which didn't rely too heavily on trope.
I'd recommend to anyone who has a strong stomach for gore, appreciates a "gritty," dry female protagonist, and/or whose guilty pleasure is police procedurals but agrees with ACAB.
Edit/note: read ebook + listened to audiobook
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol
autumn_alwaysreadingseason's review against another edition
3.5
The book opens with a grisly crime scene, as Rita photographs the scattered remains of a young woman--Erma--on a highway. Emerson writes in extraordinary detail, so if you are averse to gore and violence, beware. When Erma realizes that Rita can see her, she starts interrupting her daily life, to the point where Rita is severely affected and other people begin to notice. When she tells the truth, she gets put on administrative leave. Erma's fury and desire to have her case solved only gets stronger though and Rita begins a full-scale investigation in her off time.
I thoroughly enjoyed being with Rita--learning about her introduction to photography, witnessing her relationships with her grandmother and mother, seeing how her ability evolved over time. I didn't care as much about the actual crime and solving it--especially when it was revealed to be a drug cartel story.
Graphic: Body horror and Death
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Racism, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Stalking, and Pregnancy
sjanke2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
elleemgee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death and Gore
Moderate: Grief
maregred's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Moderate: Racism and Grief
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail