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sagesanctum's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Wow. I was surprised by this one.
This is my first real venture into the horror/thriller genre; typically I'm more of a "only books with a guaranteed happy ending" type of reader. I read to improve my mood, so I usually don't try anything I think might be too depressing. Despite this, I joined the local book club in an effort to broaden my horizons, and All the Dangerous Things was the book chosen.
Right out the gate, I wasn't thrilled to be reading this one. I'm a parent to young children and I DO NOT enjoy reading literally anything involving even the possibility of child harm or death, so the idea of reading a book about a missing child truly did not appeal to me. And honestly, for a good... half? three-quarters of the way through the book? Still wasn't vibing with it. Most of the characters are unlikable. Isabelle herself, despite being a sympathetic character because of her circumstances, quickly and progressively becomes less likable through the story. Other characters--either through their own behavior or simply because we're learning about them through Isabelle's lens--are also unpleasant for different reasons. Some things that happen in the book? Not my cup of tea.
However, I did like the writing style. Some people complained about the sprawling descriptions and metaphoric language, but I really liked it. I feel like it fits Isabelle's character, given her career choice. I do agree the pacing could use some more progressive ramp-up, since I think I didn't really start feeling much tension until maybe 200+ pages in? Which I suspect is a bit slow for a thriller. That being said, the twist was spectacular and the ending was both unexpected and satisfying.
Thus, I am giving it 3.75 stars. It's solidly written, the conclusion makes the story worth a try if you can tolerate the initially-slow buildup, but I don't think I'd read it more than one time.
This is my first real venture into the horror/thriller genre; typically I'm more of a "only books with a guaranteed happy ending" type of reader. I read to improve my mood, so I usually don't try anything I think might be too depressing. Despite this, I joined the local book club in an effort to broaden my horizons, and All the Dangerous Things was the book chosen.
Right out the gate, I wasn't thrilled to be reading this one. I'm a parent to young children and I DO NOT enjoy reading literally anything involving even the possibility of child harm or death, so the idea of reading a book about a missing child truly did not appeal to me. And honestly, for a good... half? three-quarters of the way through the book? Still wasn't vibing with it. Most of the characters are unlikable. Isabelle herself, despite being a sympathetic character because of her circumstances, quickly and progressively becomes less likable through the story. Other characters--either through their own behavior or simply because we're learning about them through Isabelle's lens--are also unpleasant for different reasons. Some things that happen in the book? Not my cup of tea.
However, I did like the writing style. Some people complained about the sprawling descriptions and metaphoric language, but I really liked it. I feel like it fits Isabelle's character, given her career choice. I do agree the pacing could use some more progressive ramp-up, since I think I didn't really start feeling much tension until maybe 200+ pages in? Which I suspect is a bit slow for a thriller. That being said, the twist was spectacular and the ending was both unexpected and satisfying.
Thus, I am giving it 3.75 stars. It's solidly written, the conclusion makes the story worth a try if you can tolerate the initially-slow buildup, but I don't think I'd read it more than one time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Child death, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Drug abuse
Minor: Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicide, Infertility, Vomit, and Kidnapping
lrecord's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I listened to this book while I worked. It was easy to listen to and follow along even though I was busy with other things.
I really love how the author wrote her characters as women who made good choices, bad choices and everything in-between. There is so much nuance to the characters and why they do the things they do.
There were definitely twists and turns.
I really love how the author wrote her characters as women who made good choices, bad choices and everything in-between. There is so much nuance to the characters and why they do the things they do.
There were definitely twists and turns.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Murder, Violence, Infertility, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Grief, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
cursed_sapphire's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is the first thriller I've read in a while where I've come out remembering I still like thrillers.
I won't say this is the most groundbreaking thriller with the most unique plot, most amazing characters, or the most fascinating twists. But I will say this book is thriller done right.
It probably helped that the main character's sleep deprivation and clearly-defined childhood traumas helped explain away some of the conclusion-jumping and bad decisions that I've come to learn are synonymous with modern thrillers. Where in most books I find that kind of thing infuriating and poorly-handled, here it made perfect sense for our protagonist, who hasn't had a full night's rest in a year.
This book also handled it's themes better than most thrillers I've read. While all the characters are hiding secrets, I didn't leave the novel despising everyone like I have with some other thrillers. This book also refreshingly had a well-written, non-horrible male character who kept his secret because he wanted to seek justice for his sister's murder. There was no plot twist where it turned out he was leading the main character on or was secretly evil in his past or was complicit in the kidnapping of the protagonist's child, which I have found so exhausting from other thrillers . The exploration of motherhood, trauma, masculine vs. feminine gender roles, and sleep deprivation were all well handled and complex without being confusing, a tight-rope hard to balance.
So if you're looking for a solid thriller read, even if you're as tired as mediocre ones as I am, I still say give this one a try. It's not a perfect novel-the middle drags a bit and there are some characters that aren't as well defined as others, among a few other nitpicks- but it's overall a compelling, entertaining time.
I won't say this is the most groundbreaking thriller with the most unique plot, most amazing characters, or the most fascinating twists. But I will say this book is thriller done right.
It probably helped that the main character's sleep deprivation and clearly-defined childhood traumas helped explain away some of the conclusion-jumping and bad decisions that I've come to learn are synonymous with modern thrillers. Where in most books I find that kind of thing infuriating and poorly-handled, here it made perfect sense for our protagonist, who hasn't had a full night's rest in a year.
This book also handled it's themes better than most thrillers I've read. While all the characters are hiding secrets, I didn't leave the novel despising everyone like I have with some other thrillers. This book also refreshingly had a well-written, non-horrible male character
So if you're looking for a solid thriller read, even if you're as tired as mediocre ones as I am, I still say give this one a try. It's not a perfect novel-the middle drags a bit and there are some characters that aren't as well defined as others, among a few other nitpicks- but it's overall a compelling, entertaining time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Child death, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Pregnancy
aharrison_33's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Toxic relationship, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, and Miscarriage
kristihiggi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I could not figure this story out. I was desperate to know what happened to her son. It kept taking new turns that were plausible. The ending was fantastic! It made sense but I never guessed it. I couldn't understand Isabel's mother until I read the authors note at the end. I recommend reading that to understand why she wrote the mother the way she did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Child death
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Emotional abuse
angelamonahan's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
hmstumfoll's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Kidnapping, Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicide, Death, Mental illness, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol
clo_l's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this book.
I respect it for the fact that I am a mother to a baby, who struggles with postpartum depression & strongly feels that postpartum mental health should be talked about it more. I appreciate the struggles of motherhood being talking about, seen from both the viewpoints of Izzy & her mother.
This book was slow. So incredibly slow. I wanted to give up so many times. It felt boring, all these details and flashbacks and info that just drug on & on & on. It didn’t start getting good until the last like 70 pages? If it wasn’t for the sheer fact that I needed to know what happened to her son and that I hate not finishing books, I wouldn’t stopped reading like halfway through.
I’m used to books taking the first half slow, to build up and the last half getting intense but I feel like this book never truly reached that part. I didn’t predict what happened, which is good but it still didn’t have that shock effect.
Idk. I really really really wanted to love this book. To love Izzy. To connect deeper. But I just didn’t.
I respect it for the fact that I am a mother to a baby, who struggles with postpartum depression & strongly feels that postpartum mental health should be talked about it more. I appreciate the struggles of motherhood being talking about, seen from both the viewpoints of Izzy & her mother.
This book was slow. So incredibly slow. I wanted to give up so many times. It felt boring, all these details and flashbacks and info that just drug on & on & on. It didn’t start getting good until the last like 70 pages? If it wasn’t for the sheer fact that I needed to know what happened to her son and that I hate not finishing books, I wouldn’t stopped reading like halfway through.
I’m used to books taking the first half slow, to build up and the last half getting intense but I feel like this book never truly reached that part. I didn’t predict what happened, which is good but it still didn’t have that shock effect.
Idk. I really really really wanted to love this book. To love Izzy. To connect deeper. But I just didn’t.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Vomit, and Suicide
Includes mention of a stillbirth.feralbookwife's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Fast paced, solid mystery. Kept me guessing until the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Infertility, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Vomit, Blood, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Misogyny, Murder, Trafficking, Drug abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship