Reviews with content warning for Torture - Vértestvérek

The book isn't really scary but enough for me to feel anger towards some characters. I genuinely hate Rebel/Ray with everything I have. The book gets pretty graphic so checking the tags is a must.

It had a VERY slow start. I understand why some people didn't pushed through with it. But halfway through the book there was a change of pace and it got me intrigued into finishing it. If you don't feel intrigued halfway through, maybe the book isn't for you. The final quarter of the book was fast paced and I'm actually glad I finished it.

I only gave it 3.25 stars cause I kinda liked the ending but I know I won't be rereading it.

I recommend this if you've been reading thriller for a long time or you're fine with slow pacing. But if you're looking for popcorn thrillers, this isn't it.

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eclaire912's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

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

2.0

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cherihy808's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. This seriously may be the hardest book I’ve ever had to rate and review. I hated it! But yes I gave it 4 stars. 😂Let me try to explain. First off, I do enjoy a good thriller book but I’m not into gore and horror. To some this might not have been classified as HORROR but to me it was. It was literally the MOST disturbing and darkest book I’ve ever read. With that said, I made the decision to read it so I can’t punish the author with a low rating just because I didn’t like the subject matter. It was well written and even at 50%, when I really didn’t think I could keep going, I wanted to find out what happened to Michael. So the author deserves 4 stars for that reason alone. Also the ending was pretty good. It left you wondering what happens next and if there’s a possibility for a sequel? If there is, I’ll be honest and say I probably won’t read it. I also knocked a star off due to animal abuse…I just can’t give a 5 star to anything that includes that - sorry.

As far as characters, I hated them all (except Alice). Even Michael. Yes I felt bad for him at times but then at other times he gave me the creeps just as much as Reb and Momma.

The last thing I have to say is I wonder how someone can actually think of these things and write about it ?! I know it’s fiction. I know it’s her career, but I have to be honest, if Ania Ahlborn was my family or friend, I think I’d be really afraid of her.

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yxi's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Ania Ahlborn... I just want to talk.
I just want to talk about that last line.
It punched the air from my lungs...

This book is bleak and devastating and cruel, and I loved every page. Even when I saw the plot unfolding and predicted where it would go, I found myself spurred on to read faster so I could see how it would all come together.

Ahlborn is able to portray traumatised and violent characters in a way that walks an exceptionally thin like between horrifying and empathic. We see their flaws and the source of those traumas, but the narrative never excuses what the family does.

'Brother' is beautifully written, heartbreakingly tragic, and bleak enough to sit like a weight on my chest for the rest of the year.

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