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adventure_in_books's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
lmc_phd's review
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
zemily83's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
leahlesle's review
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
The book was relatively engaging and interesting. As always, Picoult does her research in law-related content. I found the ending to be unsatisfying, and the way some of the loose ends were tied felt a little cheap, or should have been explored further.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Incest
fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I’m a big fan of the author and gave several of her books. However, in this case, other than her storytelling skills, I hated this book. I read through tu the interview with hope and why she wrote the book and what she wanted to achieve with the characters, but for me, none if it worked:
1. Addie is to weak and really needs to hone her critical thinking skills. She changes her mind with every new piece of information she gathers without really breaking it down for the most part. She finally gets it right, but that journey with her was painful.
2. I completely disagree with the jury, even knowing what happened. If I was on that jury, I would’ve voted for a different verdict because the evidence presented was too weak.
3. Jack’s mother and her origin story were also too weak to explain how she got where she got. So her character was completely irrelevant to me.
4. The cops and Amos were worn over the top, and the teens were horribly unlikeable - epitome of Mean Girls.
5. I hated the outcome of the trial. The trial may have reflected the truth of the story, but it happens this way far too often, and it pisses me off because the book felt like it legitimized all those other men and cemented more of the wagging finger of the patriarchy. Also, the verdict came in so fast that it felt like the author was rushing and just needed to wrap it up.
6. I hated the ending with Gillian and her father, though it did explain a lot about the girl.
The only things I liked about the book was seeing Jordan McAfee back at work with his family, though I really don’t think he did a good job at court, and Charlie’s confession at the diner - that felt like one of the only genuine moments in the book.
1. Addie is to weak and really needs to hone her critical thinking skills. She changes her mind with every new piece of information she gathers without really breaking it down for the most part. She finally gets it right, but that journey with her was painful.
2. I completely disagree with the jury, even knowing what happened. If I was on that jury, I would’ve voted for a different verdict because the evidence presented was too weak.
3. Jack’s mother and her origin story were also too weak to explain how she got where she got. So her character was completely irrelevant to me.
4. The cops and Amos were worn over the top, and the teens were horribly unlikeable - epitome of Mean Girls.
5. I hated the outcome of the trial. The trial may have reflected the truth of the story, but it happens this way far too often, and it pisses me off because the book felt like it legitimized all those other men and cemented more of the wagging finger of the patriarchy. Also, the verdict came in so fast that it felt like the author was rushing and just needed to wrap it up.
6. I hated the ending with Gillian and her father, though it did explain a lot about the girl.
The only things I liked about the book was seeing Jordan McAfee back at work with his family, though I really don’t think he did a good job at court, and Charlie’s confession at the diner - that felt like one of the only genuine moments in the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Grief, Hate crime, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, and Self harm
ginnygaleclaire's review
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Alcoholism, and Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Hate crime, Medical content, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Violence, Incest, Self harm, Child abuse, Gaslighting, and Stalking
eleyden's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book could have been about 100 pages shorter. It did not need all the backstory about Jack’s mother being a saint. Just unnecessary.
However, I loved the witch aspect and how it played out in the girls lives.
It was such an interesting story focusing on how our past can affect our present and future. I really loved the lawyer and his sons dynamic and the tidbit where he was helping his dad fall back in love.
The outcome of the trial was completely unbelievable based on the evidence given to the jury.
However, I loved the witch aspect and how it played out in the girls lives.
It was such an interesting story focusing on how our past can affect our present and future. I really loved the lawyer and his sons dynamic and the tidbit where he was helping his dad fall back in love.
The outcome of the trial was completely unbelievable based on the evidence given to the jury.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Child death
annalecia's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
whatlexysaid's review
challenging
dark
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
mindfullybritt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I am honestly disappointed in this book. I have loved every other Jodi Picoult book that I have read but this one was not it for me. I felt that there was too much going on. And the story was just overdone.
I think she handled the topic of rape and sexual assault pretty eloquently but honestly the men in the story make me so angry. And I know part of that is because men like these characters exist but also it’s hard to read a story when most characters have zero redeeming qualities.
I think the witch topic was too much in this story but I understand why she did it.
And the ending really bothered me because one of the main characters who you are set up to believe is a liar and a horrible person, is facing some of the worst things a person can face and that twist is given only 4 lines at the very end and you’re just expected to move on from it.
If you’re interested in Jodi Picoult, I would recommend reading a different one of her books.
I would not recommend this book.
I think she handled the topic of rape and sexual assault pretty eloquently but honestly the men in the story make me so angry. And I know part of that is because men like these characters exist but also it’s hard to read a story when most characters have zero redeeming qualities.
I think the witch topic was too much in this story but I understand why she did it.
And the ending really bothered me because one of the main characters who you are set up to believe is a liar and a horrible person, is facing some of the worst things a person can face and that twist is given only 4 lines at the very end and you’re just expected to move on from it.
If you’re interested in Jodi Picoult, I would recommend reading a different one of her books.
I would not recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Death, and Sexual violence