Reviews with content warning for Pregnancy - All the Colors of the Dark

highly disappointing. Much preferred We Begin at the End by same author.
this dragged on, was redundant in spots and took forever to resolve. LOTS of editing errors and even geographical ones (palmetto trees do NOt grow in mountains!! they're a seaside tree hahah).

Content Warnings

harleyglynn's review

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

4.5

Content Warnings

jalexpulliamkepler's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

3.0

When it’s good, it’s great. Most of the time, it’s boring.

Content Warnings

missmakaela's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

theravenkingx's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

3.0

We look at others with fucking trivial problems, and we think how long they'd last with a taste of our childhoods.

I'm not sure if the publishers marketed this book as a mystery/thriller, but I've noticed many people expressing disappointment. I approached it without any expectations and didn't feel misled at all. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and brilliance of this book. The writing reminded me of one of my all-time favorite books, *Never Let Me Go* It shares the same beautiful bleakness, with prose that is both ornate and melancholic. The slow burn of this book evokes deep emotions and hits you right in the gut. However, I understand that this book is not for everyone. It's a slow-paced narrative that tackles several triggering topics like child abuse, domestic violence, and addiction

If you're looking for a straightforward mystery/thriller, you might be disappointed. While the mystery element present, this book is much more than that. It's a profound exploration of the human condition, delving into the effects of traumatic experiences and their psychological implications. The story is about friendships, family, loss, unrequited love, and how an unexpected event can change the course of your life.

While this is one of the good books I have read this
year, it has some glaring issues. The book is filled with many unrealistic coincidences that, although didn't mind while reading, believe the author
could have handled differently. I can see some people being bothered them. There were numerous occasions where the author could have ended the
book in a bittersweet manner, which would have been more satisfying than the conclusion we got. I was ready to give this book a 5-star rating until I
reached the ending. It undid much of the character development and plot tension that had been carefully built up.

believe the author's attempt to wrap up the plot points was too much. He didn't leave anything to our imagination. Everything was over-explained, and everything worked out perfectly for everyone in the end.' it felt like the author was tying up every loose end with a neat little bow which took away from the
story's potential depth and complexity.

One plot point, in particular, was completely butchered at the end. It felt unnecessary and added nothing to the story. I found myself scratching my head, wondering why the author decided to mess with such a crucial part of a character's growth. It was like watching someone trip over their own shoelaces right before crossing the finish line.

Another issue I encountered, which didn't bother me as much but might frustrate other readers, was that the major twists were presented in a confusing and convoluted manner, often in just a line or two, before quickly moving on. This made it difficult to fully grasp the significance of these twists. While I didn't mind this stylistic choice for the most part, I felt that some plot twists could have benefited from more in-depth exploration.

We look at others with fucking trivial problems, and we think how long they'd last with a taste of our childhoods

Synopsis
In this book, we follow Saint, a young girl navigating the challenges of growing up, and her one-eyed friend, Patch, living in a small town in Missouri in 1975. They form an unlikely friendship, until one day, Patch intervenes to save a popular girl, Misty Meyer, from being kidnapped. The situation spirals out of control, and Patch is taken instead. Overcome with grief but driven by unfathomable courage, Saint sets out on a journey to find her friend, Patch. However, her quest doesn't end there. Ilt leads her down a rabbit hole. The existence of a girl named Grace,
kidnapped alongside Patch, becomes a mystery and a pivotal part of the story.

"Two people are less lost than one."

Over the next 26 years, we witness the characters
growth, challenges, and the complexities of their lives. This one event continues to haunt our main characters into their adulthood. Saint transforms
into a strong and independent police officer, though she carries emotional baggage from her childhood and the pain of unrequited love. Her journey takes her through various towns and cities, searching for the victims of the same man responsible for kidnapping Patch and Grace. Misty, forever
grateful for Patch's sacrifice, becomes an integral part of their intertwined fates. Grace's mysterious disappearance continues to influence the paths of our characters even in their adulthood.

The story focuses on the who and why of the heinous acts. The mystery is prevalent throughout
the narrative, but the heavy focus is on the characters and their journeys.

The narrative explores themes of survivors guilt, trauma, friendship, loss, and the passage of time, culminating in a conclusion that ties together the characters' journeys, revealing the profound impact
of their shared experiences. The story highlights the enduring strength of human connections and the relentless pursuit of justice, ultimately leading to a resolution that honors the sacrifices made and the bonds formed along the way.

"Time changes our ability to view the things that
hurt us." "But not the pain."

Content Warnings

lindseylitlivres's review

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

kelly_e's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Title: All the Colors of the Dark
Author: Chris Whitaker
Genre: Literary Mystery
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: June 25, 2024

T H R E E • W O R D S

Sweeping • Intricate • Haunting

📖 S Y N O P S I S

1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the smalltown of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing.

When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake.

Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another.

💭 T H O U G H T S

This book needs no introduction as it's been absolutely everywhere for the past 4 months. I'll admit was pretty indifferent after readingWe Begin At the End, my first Chris Whitaker novel. For that reason, I wasn't initially planning to read his newest release All the Colors of the Dark. However, a few glowing reviews from trusted bookish friends with similar reading tastes as me managed to change my mind. It was an added bonus that it was selected as the October book for my in person book club.

Through deeply layered storytelling, descriptive and atmospheric writing, engrossing and quick paced chapters, and fully formed characters with complex emotions, Whitaker has delivered a new forever favourite!

While this story is in many ways dark and tragic, it is equally filled with light and hope. It unpacks a lot of trauma, yet what really stood out for me is how it is weaves an epic love story - love lost and found, biological and found family love, love between friends and romantic love, and parental love. It shows the sacrifices love asks of us and it allows love to be messy - something often forgotten.

The cast of characters is beyond large, so much so that I needed to make myself a character list to keep the connections straight. Many of the characters comes and go, but the loyalty and friendship between Patch and Saint is constant and unlike any I've read before. The narrative tells how their paths diverged and converged over the decades, each remaining vulnerable in a host of ways.

It's quite possible All the Colors of the Dark is entirely too long, however, I never got distracted with the wordiness and was immersed in the slow, constant pacing. This is exactly the type of story that will stick with me long after I've read the final page. The type of book you sit with and savour, and I did exactly that.

Marketing All the Colors of the Dark as a thriller is deceiving and an utter disservice to the novel. It does not read like a thriller. The characters feel too real and relatable for a thriller. The level of depth and emotion goes way beyond a thriller. The writing is much more exquisite than most thrillers. Simply put this just isn't a thriller - it is so much more than that. The short chapters make for an easy reading experience, yet its the writing that keeps the plot moving. A story about second chances that combines pain and loss with hope and love, I'm certain it'll be landing on many #TopReadsOf2024 lists in a few months time... Maybe even mine. It's also great on audio read by Edoardo Ballerini.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• missing person mysteries
• unlikely pairings
• coming-of-age stories
• beekeeping

⚠️ CW: kidnapping/abduction, missing person, confinement, murder, death, child death, death of parent, death of partner, sibling death, grief, rape, sexual assault, physical abuse, domestic abuse, child abuse, emotional abuse, incest, homophobia, lesbophobia, violence, gun violence, blood, injury/injury detail, fire/fire injury, pregnancy, abortion, mental illness, alcoholism, alcohol, drug abuse, addiction, cursing, terminal illness, cancer, suicide attempt, suicide, bullying, mass shooting

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Friendship was a difficult art to master."

"Saint wanted to ask what is was like, to lose the thing that defined you. But perhaps she knew it left you someone else. A stranger you had no choice but to tolerate, and see each day and feel and fear."

"Do something meaningful. Or maybe just mean everything you do."

"Why do we hold on to the bad things and forget the good?"

"'I guess maybe someone all wrong for me in the ways that counted least. We fell in love and it was like... You know when all of a sudden there is meaning. Actual true meaning and purpose.'
'Like color in the dark,' Patch said.
'Yes. Exactly yes. Nothing is so dark with them in the world.'"

"Grief is a part of life. It's the unknown that truly ruins us."

"People say it gets easier, but that’s only because each day we get a little closer to seeing them again."

"To love and be loved was more than could ever be expected, more than enough for a thousand ordinary lifetimes."

"Reading isn’t a privilege, sir. I believe we all have the right to leave our problems and escape into another world, if only through the written word."

Content Warnings

More...