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sauvageloup's review against another edition
- 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
pros:
- the cult setting was extremely well done, very frightening and sinister and the traumatic effect on Robin and the others was obvious in their reactions. It definitely made you think about the horrors of cults.
- sadly J.K. is a talented writer and the pacing and characters are very good, with the complicated plot coming together and the characters growing throughout, to a degree.
cons
- the plot did feel too complicated towards the end as I struggled to keep straight who certain people were, including Graves and Abigail and some others. Would probably reward a reread.
- Strike was a bit annoying in this book, as he seemed naive/careless about the torment Robin went through (which though well addressed as it was happening and immediately after, seemed to be forgotten as the plot came together at the end), his jealousy towards Murphy is tiring, and his lack of action towards Robin gets frustrating.
- J.K. is clearly also making a point about how the law hesitates to go against people for PC reasons and overly tip toeing around sensitive issues, like religious freedom and people living differently. Strike snidely says 'live and let live' to criticise the cult. I think she is doing a subtle dig here towards trans people and their rights.
but overall another compelling Robin and Strike novel, probably the one that gripped me most so far with the scary cult plot.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gaslighting, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Stalking, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic friendship, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Murder, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Abortion, Body horror, Medical content, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, Drug abuse, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Pedophilia, and Alcohol
All the content warnings here, very dark.lillinares's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Anyway, the plot is well-woven and immersive. I felt like I was in that cult with Robin the entire time.
Pat is now my favorite side character. Murphy can eat dirt. I’m proud of Strike and how he’s trying to be better in every sense. Robin is the true backbone of the story, always reliable and kind and smart, although, at times, I wish she wouldn’t be so courageous, not to say reckless. Her decisions make me tense.
I gave this book that extra .25 stars because I cannot believe
Graphic: Abortion, Child death, Sexual assault, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Suicide, Gun violence, Murder, Confinement, Rape, and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Fatphobia, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Cursing, Gore, Cancer, Death of parent, Incest, Self harm, Trafficking, and Eating disorder
maggies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Vomit, Violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Dementia, Gaslighting, Miscarriage, Death, Rape, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Child death, Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Blood, and Child abuse
wifeslife's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Self harm, Cancer, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Death, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Suicide, Sexual assault, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Child death, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
ninaleonie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Graphic: Mental illness, Torture, Abortion, Child death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt