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rachelfsreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage and Infertility
alexatthelake's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Ouf - sit tight because this review is going to be tricky. The First to Lie was a highly anticipated book because I'd heard so many good things about this author and this was my first by her. I will say that I didn't really read the synopsis before I went in, but once I started and read it, I was slightly appalled. The idea of taking down 'big pharma' by a strong, determined woman sounds like an incredible plot point, but the drug of choice they planned to take them down with was a pill to 'fix infertility' in women struggling. Yes, you read that right, FIX INFERTILITY. Honestly, I didn't see any reviews pointing out how horrible of a plot point this is and how using infertile women as a plot point was a good idea either. Maybe I'm too sensitive to this subject because of my personal history with infertility, which made me more judgemental of this book. However I just can't be okay with a book profiting off a story about women who are bullied into taking a 'miracle pill' that will make them magically cured and be able to get pregnant - but also potentially never be able to get pregnant again. I don't think I've ever been truly trigged by a book before, but this one did it for me when women shared their experiences and journeys to get pregnant and why they were so excited for this miracle pill, regardless of it possibly ruining their chances forever to have a child.
Now - here is why I rated the book 3 stars. This book was thrilling. This book made me question what was happening, around the infertility pills. Why I didn't stop reading when I was so upset by the triggers for me was because I did find myself really wanting to know who did what and what came next. It was a bit confusing with all the different characters to keep up with, but once I sorted it out, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't care for any of the characters, but they still kept my interest. I guess at the end of this review, I will say give it a shot if you want a quick thriller, but it won't be first on my list to recommend that's for sure.
Now - here is why I rated the book 3 stars. This book was thrilling. This book made me question what was happening, around the infertility pills. Why I didn't stop reading when I was so upset by the triggers for me was because I did find myself really wanting to know who did what and what came next. It was a bit confusing with all the different characters to keep up with, but once I sorted it out, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't care for any of the characters, but they still kept my interest. I guess at the end of this review, I will say give it a shot if you want a quick thriller, but it won't be first on my list to recommend that's for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility
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