Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

15 reviews

warlocksarecool21's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Where Sleeping Girls Lie had been an anticipated read for me but I was ultimately disappointed. I didn’t hate it, there were a few elements that I liked but I had enough issues with it that I couldn’t rate it any higher. I think the author was trying to tell an important story about rape culture and misogyny but it just wasn’t executed that well for me. There are various reasons for that but I’ll start with the pacing. It was interesting for about the first 25% or so but the middle of the book was soooo slow. I think the author was trying to give more time with the characters and to build up tension but there were so much random and mundane stuff happening that I couldn’t even tell where the book was going for a while it was just so drawn out and overwritten. It did pick up in the last section of the book and I was compelled to actually finish it but the ending was so messy. There were so many things going on that all had to be tied up at the end and a few of the big reveals felt so contrived to me that I wish the author spent more time with those things instead of all the filler in the middle of the book. This book also did the thing I hate in mysteries and thrillers where very vital information about the protagonist’s backstory and motivations is kept a secret from the audience until it’s convenient to reveal and it almost never works for me and unfortunately that happened with Sade’s character. I won’t say what it was but it felt really cheap to me to hide Sade’s motivation for everything because it’s such a tonal shift for her character and the story and it doesn’t make sense why the audience wouldn’t get to know that earlier in the story. I can appreciate the message the author was trying to get across but it didn’t work for me. Honestly the only thing that I consistently enjoyed what Baz’s character he was a delight. Aside from that, this book was kind of a flop for me between the messy plot and craft issues. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Animal death, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Addiction, Mental illness, and Murder

Minor: Suicide, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, and Child abuse

bookishholly's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Child death, and Suicide

Moderate: Rape, Bullying, Addiction, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Racism, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Animal cruelty

claires_loveofbooks2020's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book was massive at 563 pages long. It took me 5 days to read. I'd like to thank Usborne Publishing for sending me a proof copy of this book before release in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. 

This book was amazing. I was engrossed throughout as the plot was engaging and so well thought out with so many plot twists that I didn't see coming. I honestly felt so sorry for Elizabeth and Sade but also for April and Jamila. They had so much happen to them. I just wanted to see justice, and I was so angry with the headmaster for what he did! I was surprised that I kinda liked Cressida Blackburn as well in the end. I loved Baz, he was a great character and Muffin. 

The only downpoint I had was that the book, being as hefty as it is, was so heavy to hold after a while of reading. 😂 

I can't recommend this book enough. I loved it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

Moderate: Rape and Racism

bloodmaarked's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

2.5* rounded up. i truly hate that this is my rating but it didn't hit the same as ace of spades. still love faridah though

✧ full review on my tumblr ✧

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Death, Death of parent, Suicide, Animal death, Blood, Sexual assault, and Child death

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Cursing, Murder, and Addiction

Minor: Medical content, Lesbophobia, and Islamophobia

macmannwood's review

dark mysterious

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

this is an excellent exploration of patriarchy and the old boys club. an incredibly important read

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, and Death