Scan barcode
nikrib's review against another edition
- 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
CH books read like a high school project & an aspiring author. Where is the depth to these narratives? Why are the plots always good in theory but then the execution falls terribly flat? These books aggravate me, yearning for even an ounce dynamic character development. Why over saturate the narratives with numerous sex scenes? Are all CH books smut? ‘Verity’ was suppose to be a thriller? Perhaps this book read as a thriller to those who aren’t avid thriller fans.
Other reviews mention that this book had great twists. What twists? This narrative was predictable & severely underwhelming. It seems the positive reviews stem from readers who are shocked of the subject matter & let that hang over them for the entirety of the book. Just because an author writes controversial topics does not make the narrative automatically shine. Where is the world building to immerse readers? Where is the sufficient depth of themes & motifs? Where are the relatable characters or even likable characters?
I found myself flipping back & forth in the book due to the plot holes, contradictory writing, poor descriptive language, & plot jumping. This book was by no means difficult to read, it reads like a YA, which is how the other two CH books I read also are.
Lastly, the endings to these books. I’ve never shut the back cover of a book & then wanted to re-read the last chapter again & again to ensure I did in fact not miss anything. Why are the endings so unfulfilling? There are far better ways to weave in traumatic experiences into a narrative where the reader feels empowered by the end to seek help or finally fix/leave a situation, but instead we’re left gripping the pages & shaking the book in frustration. What on earth is the moral of the story with all this problematic misogynistic female to male relationship dynamic?
If you read CH books like a campfire story instead of a novel, all is well. If you’re reading this review & are a fan of CH, more power to you & I’m genuinely glad you enjoy the books. I gave it a go & will be returning to my Stephen King TBR pile. Cheers!
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, Self harm, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Car accident, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, and Sexism
vaehangel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Car accident, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Abortion
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Murder
madalina0_0's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Abortion, Terminal illness, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Murder, Vomit, Violence, Addiction, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Death of parent, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Infertility, Medical content, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
mard3ytv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Car accident, Miscarriage, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault
hcrawfo3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Medical content, Abortion, Eating disorder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Grief, Gaslighting, Body horror, Child death, and Cursing
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Gore, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
ivanaacosta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Child death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Murder, Cursing, Grief, and Kidnapping
hi_im_tate's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
I wish I could allow myself to rate it higher, I really, really do. It is just so DIFFICULT for me to look past all of the ableism that shines through with this book. I don't know if Lowen was written as a character that could be hated, but she definitely is one for me. I think, I THINK all the ableism was written in a way to avoid readers growing attached to Lowen because some of the things that were said/written about Verity were things that seemed to me only to be things that only a blatant abelist would say, and I would like to think that is not something people would blatantly show in this day and age, but I could be wrong.
There was, also, the descriptions of the deaths. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions and think they add to the book in its horror. However, they could be extremely triggering for anyone who has ever lost a child in whatever situation. It could, also, be triggering for anyone who has ever been in a physically or emotionally abusive relationship. If you want to read this book, please, please, PLEASE take a look at the content warnings and be careful.
There is so much more I could say about this book. I loved and hated it. There are just so many things I cannot let myself get past with this book, so I cannot give it any higher rating than what I have.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Abortion, Addiction, Cursing, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Rape, and Vomit
hannalizzy's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Child death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Car accident