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briggs4598's review against another edition
dark
fast-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
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Trafficking, Police brutality, and Sexual assault
Minor: Addiction
jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Powerful, gripping, violent, and edgy. This is a story of dirty people who revel in the filth.
The characters of Mae and Chris are sympathetic; they’ve seen so much and done so much, and their guilt defines them. Chris was a bad cop who lost his job; now he’s a metaphorical fist for VIPs who don’t like it when others step on their toes. Mae works the softer end, a PR expert who knows just how to kill the dirty stories so her clients look golden. But it gets to a point where they’ve both had enough of protecting bad guys. They see a way out but underestimate the power of those at the top.
Fast-paced and detailed, the reader is immersed in an LA that’s even more toxic than it appears. It’s gritty and compelling. I want to read more.
The characters of Mae and Chris are sympathetic; they’ve seen so much and done so much, and their guilt defines them. Chris was a bad cop who lost his job; now he’s a metaphorical fist for VIPs who don’t like it when others step on their toes. Mae works the softer end, a PR expert who knows just how to kill the dirty stories so her clients look golden. But it gets to a point where they’ve both had enough of protecting bad guys. They see a way out but underestimate the power of those at the top.
Fast-paced and detailed, the reader is immersed in an LA that’s even more toxic than it appears. It’s gritty and compelling. I want to read more.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Police brutality, Addiction, Alcohol, Abandonment, Blood, Classism, Drug use, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Suicide, Trafficking, and Violence
shereadytoread's review
dark
4.0
Overall this was a solid story with good stakes. I would say the first half is more of a mystery and the second half is more crime thriller. I enjoyed that all the characters were morally grey so it isn’t as much of rooting for the characters to succeed, but more the larger revenge story and wanting the big bad to go down!
I thought the characters all had interesting depth to them (even if it didn’t make them “good guys”). One thing I appreciated was that the violence didn’t seem gratuitous and served a purpose in the book. The book is definitely DARK but it doesn’t play for shock value.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted ARC. All thoughts are my own.
I thought the characters all had interesting depth to them (even if it didn’t make them “good guys”). One thing I appreciated was that the violence didn’t seem gratuitous and served a purpose in the book. The book is definitely DARK but it doesn’t play for shock value.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted ARC. All thoughts are my own.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Trafficking, and Pedophilia
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