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starsnstitchin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Sexism, Eating disorder, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Murder, Blood, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Dementia
Moderate: Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Classism, Dementia, Trafficking, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Gun violence, Infertility, and Suicide attempt
thismermaidreads's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Death, Child death, Bullying, Violence, Trafficking, Torture, Toxic friendship, Terminal illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Rape, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Physical abuse, Murder, and Child abuse
I found the flash back chapters to be incredibly triggering to me. I thoroughly enjoyed Andrea’s character development between Pieces of Her and this book, I wanted more of her and less of the flashback scenes. I thought it was necessary to read Pieces of Her before this, but now that I’ve finished it, I think you could get away with reading this as a stand-alone. BUT I would highly suggest reading the first book first, I think you’ll appreciate Andy 100% more if you do.morethanmylupus's review
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
brandilovesbooks'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Eating disorder, Murder, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Dementia, Child abuse, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
backpackingbookworm'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
4.5
However, always happy to be proven wrong and this is one such case.
Where Andy was weak and pathetic in book one, newly recruited US marshall, Andrea, is the complete opposite (which I found hard to believe but hey, happy to roll with it if means she's grown a damn backbone). For the majority of the novel, she was smart, savvy, and switched on - something I love to see in female law enforcement. While I couldn't see at first why this book wasn't written as a stand-alone, it soon became clear when the backstory started falling into place.
Sent to the hometown of her manipulative and imprisoned father, Andrea is set two tasks - one public and one secret - 1) protect the esteemed judge who is receiving death threats and 2) find evidence that her father was responsible for raping and murdering a young girl from his culty friendship group forty years prior to prevent his release.
As per the author's usual style, this book may be long but it is by no means filled with fluff. Every sentence is relevant and you're constantly left pondering certain actions or revelations. Slaughter knows when to take it slow (setting the scene and introducing new characters) and when to ramp it up, making this one a rollercoaster thriller that leaves you constantly questioning people's true motives.
The intertwining storylines were brilliantly plotted; I was particularly invested in the flashbacks leading up to Emily's murder and her own investigation into who raped her while she was drugged and got her pregnant. I wanted answers just as much as she did and while I wasn't overly enamoured by the outcome, I thought the motives were strong and believable.
It was the sequel I never knew I needed that concluded with me only craving more. The ending sets us up for a third instalment so I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for sending me a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 4.5
Writing style/readability - 4.6
Characters - 4.3
Diverse themes - 4.4
Ending - 4.6
Overall - 4.5
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Eating disorder, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, and Sexual assault
bookishnookish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Andrea was lacking in character. When the book started, I had high hopes for her because she is actively doing better than her best to be the top of her male dominated class. She was confident and came across as a badass. Then she got her first case and all that confidence was left in the first few pages. She fumbled, mumbled, and was tongue-tied so often that it took all my patience to get through those passages. I really do wish she were a badass throughout the book. She did have some daring parts in the book
The subject matter at the centre of the book was also a huge trigger for me constantly, especially the treatment of the victim, because that is what she was, by everyone around her was absolutely appalling.
I was going to put 3 stars, but then I got to the millennials drinking latte line and I just absolutely had it. That one line showed me that I am the wrong demographic for the author's novels.
(TW: sexism, ageism, rape, suicide, cult, abuse, anorexia, murder)
Graphic: Murder and Vomit
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Blood, Cursing, Bullying, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
sjena's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I love Karin Slaughter's books. This one really kept me on my toes.
I really liked the way she did the POV's.
I REALLY REALLY hope there are more with these characters
Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Death, Dementia, and Drug use
Moderate: Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
bookwormandtheatremouse's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Rape, Violence, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Sexual assault