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annie_brewer'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
3.25
This one felt very confusing at the start with mulitple POV/timelines and so many characters, but once the dynamics within the families were explained a bit further it was possible to identify the characters and where they fitted into the story.
This was a very quick read, and I was continously seeking out how all the characters fitted into the main story, but the book felt unbalanced in that the past was much more interesting than the present storyline.
The 'cult/commune' style of the familes living situation was fascinatingly laid out and the perceptions of the kids during these events was so well written, which to the reader (and some characters) were obvious indications the slow indoctrination of the parents into submission.
Henry was a very interesting narrator. The oscilation between story-telling and correcting the others narratives was so well done via audiobook I got an intense understanding his true personality. I felt uncomfortable with how persistent he was to romance Phinn, but I would consider this behaviour due to his dysfunctional childhood, however some may have an issue with the gay character being presented as creepy and obsessive.
Other than Henry, Lucy returning to London to see The Baby felt like an unimportant story and Libby was a very unremarkable character that was too nice and trusting.
I didn't know there was a sequel until seeing another review, but I do really want to know what else could possibly be added into this family tragedy on top of an (unneccesary) drug trip, dispicable abuses, domineering control, and murder.
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Confinement, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Drug use
Minor: Animal death, Pedophilia, Miscarriage, and Murder
maxine_t96's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Colonisation, Murder, Child abuse, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Torture, Sexual assault, Death, and Bullying
Moderate: Miscarriage, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Drug use
shell18's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Graphic: Death, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, Drug use, Animal death, and Infidelity
sofiam19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Infertility, Rape, Animal death, Confinement, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Abortion
paperkindle's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Miscarriage, Murder, and Sexual assault
Minor: Animal death and Rape
readkatieread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Murder
themoodreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Physical abuse, Rape, Animal cruelty, Miscarriage, Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Pedophilia, Infidelity, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Chronic illness
denlia'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Vomit
sksumbera's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Biphobia, and Blood
readwithev's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Moreover, I enjoyed Henry’s perspective. He’s an enthralling complicated mix of a traumatized child, suppressed gay man, dark sociopath, self aware yet unapologetic, but also a manipulative narcissist. I feel connected to him, but also disgusted.
I did particularly predict some of the mystery and twists but some of them I didn’t due to the characters’ varying accounts. That is why the book doesn’t get a full 5 stars. Overall, really enjoyed it.
I didn’t really enjoy the addition of Libby and Miller’s love story. It was subtle but I thought it was unnecessary. However, I did like that Libby’s adoptive mother had a chaotic lifestyle, and death of her adoptive father left her with anxious tendencies.
Though Lucy gets away with murder, it’s also closure for her. I feel okay with it even though murder is wrong. Her ex was trying to rape her, he was physically and emotionally abusive, and he was a criminal. In a sick way, it’s justice for Lucy and signals the end of her terrible life in France.
Graphic: Grief, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Child death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Torture