Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie

6 reviews

tasarla's review

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Good beach read :)

I loved reading this in the first person where the narrator is an absolute psycho! 

I really like the writing style (though upon reading other reviews it appears to be divisive). The main character is supposed to be hateable and not relatable so if you’re into that this book is a great example of it

Despite the “funny” tag I’d say the book has some amusing moments rather than it actually being funny

The plot in the first half of the book is much stronger than the second half IMO, but I still liked the rest of the book and enjoyed the ending. 

The murders are well-described but not gory or disgustingly graphic detail, which I liked because it made an otherwise heavy book feel more light

Normally I feel like books focus too much on romantic side-plots but this one failed in this aspect. Spoiler:
I feel like Jimmys storyline was never actually wrapped up properly. It was hreat up until he realises she didn’t push his fiancée off the balcony then he’s never mentioned again other than everything goes back to normal!? Could’ve done with some kind of closure scene of those two!


Probably wouldn’t re-read but I did enjoy reading it overall



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holliesatchell's review

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75


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annabulkowski's review

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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billub's review

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.25

(This review has no spoilers, but do not read it if you want to go into the book completely blind.)

Not to be rude but I am convinced the only people that have enjoyed this book either agree with Grace's terrible views or are so boring that any rude comment made in a book is the funniest thing they have ever read. But let's make one thing clear; this is not a "good for her" revenge story or even complex criticism of the current state of society. This book reads like an insecure teen making crude and edgy jokes to fit in with the cool kids and fails miserably even in that attempt.

I understand people that overlook the main character's many flaws because she is meant to be unlikeable and a murderer. I love a complex narrative with unlikable characters, but not if it means I have to subject myself to reading a self-centered, self-righteous asshole be rude and bigotted for 300 pages. And the book tries so hard to make us root for her, which is really painful to read. 

In the worst way possible, this book reminds me of Fight Club (the book). I can't call rude statements made by a main character with a superiority complex good criticism of society. 

As a young, painfully queer feminist, I am definitely not the target audience. Good for you if you are and if you enjoyed the book. 

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aliciachauhan_'s review

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dark funny informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25


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leduyhxxng's review

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adventurous challenging dark funny reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The story of murder is obscenely uplifting... until it's not—it was a mistake for me to go through the ending sober (if you're underaged, wait until you can legally booze up because it's mind-bogglingly insane). The read was so good; I can listen to Grace trashing the patriarchy and working out murder plots any day.

While I hoped to see her face some tough challenges while carrying out the plans, there wasn't much or any that feels important anyway, to the detriment of character development. And it became a little toilsome after a good seven chapters or so. There are many strong instances of wonderful writing, yet the storytelling aspect could need some trimmings here and there, such as mentions of irrelevant passers-by (which feature a lot but barely contribute to the story nor the main character).

Overall, it was such a ride. Wickedly funny. And fucking maddening (fuck the patriarchy). I hope there will be a sequel.

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