Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Broken Summer by J.M. Lee

2 reviews

peachani's review

challenging dark slow-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm

Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Sexism

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Medical content, Murder, Police brutality, and Rape

stewartj0421's review

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• 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

3.5

Books with unloveable characters are always tough. Despite the fact that some stories don’t and shouldn’t have “good guys,” it is undoubtedly tough to captivate readers with characters that are irredeemable. JM Lee has done a pretty good job of captivating my interest in spite of writing a book filled with broken, selfish people.

I was surprised at the ending, although in retrospect it was all laid out in the open for us to pick up on if we readers were truly paying attention. I felt little sympathy for Haeri despite her reasoning for her actions, and Suin was my least favorite character at all.

I rated this read 3.5 stars because, despite its tough exterior with deeply flawed characters, and a slow-to-form plotline, I found myself constantly rolling this book over in my head, hungry for the next moment I could pick it up again. Well done to JM Lee.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm

Moderate: Rape, Murder, and Death of parent