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soradsauce'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
melliedm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Sundial was filled with surprises and grotesque imagery, but also managed to be a display of restraint. The book frequently gave us just enough information to draw a conclusion without spelling it out for us, which is a refreshing change of pace. A chilling thriller that kept me flipping pages until I reached the ending.
The story is told through switching perspectives of Rob and Callie, Rob’s past as she recounts details to her daughter, and passages from a book that Rob has written. The only sore spot for me was the latter. I had hoped it would be more relevant as the story continued, but for me it served to interrupt the pace.
Other than that, I loved this read. Make sure to check the content warnings before picking it up, though, because it definitely deals with many big trigger items (albeit quite deftly).
Graphic: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Confinement, Death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Medical content, and Animal death
imstephtacular's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Cursing, Abandonment, Confinement, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Alcohol, Body horror, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Vomit
nisima's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Torture, Kidnapping, Confinement, Animal death, Violence, Child abuse, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Abortion
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
Much of the plot and setting revolves around animal experimentation specifically on dogs and a coyote. Things go horribly wrong, and the premise of the experimentation is debateably ableist. The rest of the plot and setting basically revolve around a woman escaping a deeply abusive relationship, and worries that one of her two daughters might be a serial killer. There are multiple violent confrontations. The end is happy but may be too ambiguous for some given the tension.vixenreader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Violence, Animal cruelty, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Self harm
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Gaslighting
If you are afraid of dogs, this book will prove to be quite triggering. Plus no one likes when the dog dies.mfallon3491's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Violence, Gaslighting, and Gore
darkefyres's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Medical content, Blood, Addiction, Gore, and Pregnancy
hmatteson'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
2.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Murder, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Violence, Confinement, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Blood, Addiction, and Child death
kerrygetsliterary's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Blood, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
soobooksalot's review
- 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? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Tor Nightfire for my gifted copy for review!
Ward's previous novel, The Last House On Needless Street, was a five-star read for me. Emotional horror.
Her newest, Sundial, hits those same notes but in a completely different and bizarre story. Domestic horror.
Rob and Irving's marriage is awful. Their two daughters see it, and have issues of their own. At the age of 12, Callie still talks to an invisible friend named Pale Callie, and collects animal bones. Possibly that she procured herself. Annie is Rob's favourite daughter, but what mother can admit she has a favourite?
Desperate for solutions, Rob and Callie travel to her childhood home in the Mojave desert, known as Sundial. It's like a compound. And more.
Chapters alternate between present-day, and Rob's upbringing at Sundial with twin sister Jack. It's equally dark and fascinating.
Reality can be questioned and unease runs throughout. Touches of sci-fi add to the twists and reveals.
Ward's writing style is stunning, making this unsettling story even more of a standout. Lots of triggers to be mindful of, however.
For those who like unique and well-written horror/suspense, recommended!
For release on March 1.
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Death, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage