Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

31 reviews

elliott_the_clementine's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

0.25

Strongly do not recommend.

I gave this novel 0.25 stars because it was a book that was written. For a book lauded for its thrilling aspects and thoughtful family drama, there is no thrill and there is no thought, just bloody, useless horror that fails to do anything but shock. Unfortunately, instead of representing the rage of women victimized repeatedly by their society, Pretty Girls tortures its main characters for the pleasure of an audience clearly imagined as male while seeping its depiction of violence against women in privilege and glamour. An irresponsible and poorly done romanticization of torture. In a word: careless. 

Also, I would ask Karen Slaughter to be more thoughtful in her depictions of mental illness. There are many resources online and in libraries for authors to read about mental health and therefore accurately and safely portray it in their work. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A vastly gripping psychological thriller that packs punch after disturbing punch of twisted lies and chilling in-depth details about a young woman’s disappearance.

Claire and Lydia, estranged sisters brought back together by another tragedy, embark on a journey almost twenty-five years old as new clues come to light about their older sister, Julia, who went missing when she was nineteen and was never found. Nothing is as it seems as present begins to connect rather ominously with the past.

This was my first Karin Slaughter book and man, did it deliver. It’s definitely a very dark book that seems to get darker with each shocking turn, not shying away from grisly facts or chilling thoughts. The writing was intense, fast-paced, evocative. Slaughter’s words made the story so vivid and realistic, my heart pounding the whole way through as if I were one of Julia’s sisters, too. 

If you’re a fan of Gillian Flynn, you’ll also devour this one. I found their writing styles quite similar and engaging.

I loved the way this story played out, the different story arcs that came to fruition. Of course, the subject matter is even more sinister then you’d imagine out the gate, but it was used so well in this one. 

I suspect I will be thinking of this book for a long time!! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

saraavowlerr's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Very, very gory. Check trigger warnings. I thought it was kind of predictable but I loved the sister relationship.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

corpseparty's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense

4.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mkzach's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

abbiewhitehead's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jenni_sunderland's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ink_at_heart's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was intense. Graphic and gruesome, Pretty Girls is a story of sisterhood and standing up to misogynistic men—to the extreme, of course, but there’s no denying that this book features two women fighting against men who hate them and mean them harm, just for being women. 

As thrilling and gruesome as it was, though, my favorite parts of this book were between the sisters. I have two siblings, and usually the way siblings are written in books doesn’t quite feel right. Most of the time, they’re side characters and don’t appear in the story much, and/or they feel more like “regular” friends or acquaintances—which is the case in some families that aren’t close. But generally speaking, siblings are their own breed, with their own slang of inside jokes, bickering, and general overall vibe of: “I love you and I’d die for you, kill for you, help you bury a body—but if you take my ____ without asking again, I swear to god…!” And, between the drama and  suspense and fighting for their lives, these were the first characters I’ve come across in a while that have that playful antagonism that made it believable, like “yup, those are definitely two sisters.”

If you like thrillers and the trigger warnings aren’t a deal breaker for you, I recommend giving this book a try. This was the first book I’ve read by Karin Slaughter and it definitely won’t be the last. 


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

amaris13's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

monikaliane's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A fast pace murder mystery that brings two sisters together. I can't say much as it would give the main plot away. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings