Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - No Exit

“There’s a time, deep into the night, when the forces of evil are said to be at their strongest. The witching hour”

This was like seeing the movie Hush. The anxiety, the thrill, the smugness I felt when she outsmarted the villian in Hush, all those & more I felt for this book.
I love how Darby is realistic. She's scared, regrets every decisions she makes but still shows courage and intelligence and confidence in her actions & demeanor.
I Loved Darby & Jay's relationship. They are both similar in their wit and being there for each other.

I love that Darby survives in the end and that that last sentence indicates it and only then did I finally was happy.
Ed was such a hero who gave his life to protect the girls.

I loved everytime Darby outsmarted Ashley. The satisfaction and pride I felt at those moments are wonderful.

I do have a mixed feeling on Jay being the one who ende up taking Ashley's life. Like not that all that has happened is traumatizing enough for that 7 y.o but then she had to have the blood of someone on her hands? I'd prefer if Darby finished it off at that parking lot itself.

The one that surprised me the most about this book was how hilarious at times it was. Like I was chuckling like a child every now and then.
All in all I enjoyed it thoroughly. A gripping, thrilling story that is one hell of a ride.
❤️

Content Warnings

kelseyallen's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

i loved this book but it also freaked me the fuck out. the descriptions of the multiple deaths are super graphic and often made me have to put down the book and walk away. so yeah 4.75/5 but this absolutely is not a lighthearted book.

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_fallinglight_'s review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Ok wow this book was fantastic!! Didn't think it would surpass my expectations. I was not expecting much from it (especially bc I was noticing some problematic stuff) but it blew me away in the end. It carries you off into a blood curling, anxious adventure, psychological intrigue, and a study of circumstance and choices and actions. Gripping pace and narrative. My only one big issue is with the overdone trope of disabled people being dangerous and criminals and having terrible outcomes. The character and Lars' background doesn't sit right with me. He was obviously abused and used by his psychopath brother and though I'm not justifying his behavior, I feel like he really didn't know better throughout and he too was a victim of his brother. It honestly made me uncomfortable that the way he's described perpetuates nasty stereotypes of disabled people. I think the story would've been compelling without this, regardless. Another thing that although it didn't divert much attention away from Darby and the plot, I feel like we really didn't gain anything from the little look into that cop's life. Unless it kinda was to show that cops who shoot people almost always come from disintegrated homes?? I don't know but it was unnecessary. And although I think this book was fascinatingly written there is a a few content warnings: the N-word is used once in this book, as is derogatory language against women and the Chinese. I obviously understand the context those were employed but it's a little dampening nonetheless. Characters wise, Darby Thorne was a great, and I think, realistic mc. Though she was ageist with poor Ed and that cost her and she was hard to get stuff like come on. But the bonding she forms with little Jay is absolutely cute and sweet and fed my found family needs. Ashley Garver was so annoying and hateful and just a cathartic villain. I honestly do love these kinds of villains that are so easy to hate and I can pour all my hatred and horrible thoughts on them. Love the feeling of elation I get when they finally get their punishment. Yeah, morally ambiguous villains with complicated motives are great, but sometimes I just wanna hate someone so despicable beyond redemption with all my guts. The ending made me tear up bc I thought my girl Darby had d worded. she doesn't. So I really liked how it all concluded in a bittersweet way.

Content Warnings

marxnchill's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Although the story kept me reading, it gets two stars instead of three due to fat phobia, sexism, racism, ableism, sexual assault as a plot device, you name it. Also we get it, the lead character is short and tiny and not like other girls.

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demo's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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