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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The writing of it all felt off. It was supposed to be a thriller but there was also some weird comedy in there. The themes were overdone and some plot points unnecessary. No wonder I got it on clearance for $4 - wouldn’t recommend!
Two stars only because the subject matter was disturbing.
Definitely a page turner. It took my friend a year to finish because she could only take it in small doses. It took me 3 days. It’s intense.
Trigger warnings!! Loss of a child, sexual abuse & trauma.
A gripping story, but difficult to read.
A gripping story, but difficult to read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The narration is bloodless. It lacks emotionality. But the plotting is tight, albeit a cascade of nearly unbelievable events that result in a pat ending for the level of trauma. The wealthy Americans all survive intact. The story is functionally told without too much reflection. Because it takes place in Uruguay with a terroristic element affecting foreigners, it brings a faint echo of the book Bel Canto, which was similarly shallow (or callous) in giving serious issues of global inequity short shrift to tell a thrilling tale. Is it a disservice to gloss over trafficking, wealth inequality, pre-2025 American privilege to tell a story to add a spectacle of South American exoticism? I think so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder
Did not like how the another referee throws with disabilities
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3 stars.
TL;DR:
Characters: Got them confused for longer than I should have
Writing: Unremarkable, pacing dragged toward the end and I wished it was over sooner
Plot: Interesting idea, mediocre in execution
Pros:
-interesting premise
-potentially unlikable, complicated characters
-intriguing reflection on how the drama would affect the parents involved
-thoughtful view on how privilege affects travel and tragedy
Cons:
-didn't feel involved enough in the stakes; lacked reason for me to care
-couldn't really tell what genre this was supposed to be, and not in a good way? It's like it couldn't decide if it should be a thriller, family drama, or survival story
-the middle/end dragged
-last chapter didn't provide anything new or wrap anything up
-hector's storyline in the novel- huh?
TL;DR:
Characters: Got them confused for longer than I should have
Writing: Unremarkable, pacing dragged toward the end and I wished it was over sooner
Plot: Interesting idea, mediocre in execution
Pros:
-interesting premise
-potentially unlikable, complicated characters
-intriguing reflection on how the drama would affect the parents involved
-thoughtful view on how privilege affects travel and tragedy
Cons:
-didn't feel involved enough in the stakes; lacked reason for me to care
-couldn't really tell what genre this was supposed to be, and not in a good way? It's like it couldn't decide if it should be a thriller, family drama, or survival story
-the middle/end dragged
-last chapter didn't provide anything new or wrap anything up
-hector's storyline in the novel- huh?
American families run into tragedy abroad and cannot stop themselves from being annoying Americans for even one second :/