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dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Physical abuse, Kidnapping
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Incest, Abortion, Alcohol
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Split rating, rounded up:
Formatting & Storyline Execution: ⭐️
Characterization & development: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing style & theme elements: ⭐️⭐️
I have a lot of thoughts about this book. The storyline could have been decent had the execution been delivered accordingly. This did not need to be over 200 mini chapters with varying povs and no sense of a timeline. I was annoyed from the get-go. I feel like this book took me so much longer than it should have just to get through. Honestly could have been summed up in under 80 chapters.
Besides getting to know the characters very well, there's a lot of alluding and plot holes that never get explained-I'm assuming all for the sake of characters being mysterious. Serious plot points are only mentioned incredibly briefly, so if you're not paying attention amongst the monotony, you end up having to go back a lot.
I'm honestly happy that in the end, Patch did not get caught and put back in jail. I was confused for a bit of the book about who and why exactly he was back in jail for because they had alluded to him murdering a zookeeper and I was so confused. And I at least cannot remember a conversation between Patch and Saint about the relationship between Saint and her veterinarian ex-husband, the abusive POS. I was also surprised that Saint took on "raising" Charlotte in Patch's absence. I would have liked to hear more about the relationship between Patch and the correctional officer. It's also quite curious that both Patch and the Doctor ended up at the same jail. And at least for the audiobook, I had a difficult time remembering minor characters and how they were involved in the storyline. At first I didn't even recognize Grace's father's name and how he was connected to the murders and with the doctor. And it goes against the storyline having his conclusion so far away from the storyline conclusion because by the end of it I didn't even remember what had happened to him- was he murdered? Did he go to jail? I don't know , I assume so. But that would have been a good placement near the end chapter for a reminder of what had happened in his case.
Formatting & Storyline Execution: ⭐️
Characterization & development: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing style & theme elements: ⭐️⭐️
I have a lot of thoughts about this book. The storyline could have been decent had the execution been delivered accordingly. This did not need to be over 200 mini chapters with varying povs and no sense of a timeline. I was annoyed from the get-go. I feel like this book took me so much longer than it should have just to get through. Honestly could have been summed up in under 80 chapters.
Besides getting to know the characters very well, there's a lot of alluding and plot holes that never get explained-I'm assuming all for the sake of characters being mysterious. Serious plot points are only mentioned incredibly briefly, so if you're not paying attention amongst the monotony, you end up having to go back a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Blood
Minor: Homophobia, Abortion, Murder
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
highly disappointing. Much preferred We Begin at the End by same author.
this dragged on, was redundant in spots and took forever to resolve. LOTS of editing errors and even geographical ones (palmetto trees do NOt grow in mountains!! they're a seaside tree hahah).
this dragged on, was redundant in spots and took forever to resolve. LOTS of editing errors and even geographical ones (palmetto trees do NOt grow in mountains!! they're a seaside tree hahah).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation
Minor: Abortion
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
"Saint wanted to ask what it was like, to lose the thing that defined you. But perhaps she knew: it left you someone else. A stranger you had no choice but to tolerate, and see each day and feel and fear."
As is to be expected of Chris Whitaker, this was masterfully written. Tragic and traumatic and beautiful and raw. So deeply complex. This story is engaging on so many levels. A serial killer mystery layered over complicated small-town relationships that span decades that will have you devouring chapters. While the mystery is the driving force of the novel, and will have you as completely obsessed with solving it as the main characters, the artfully crafted, intricately connected stories around the mystery are what truly bring this novel to life. Be prepared to cycle through a broad range of emotions.
As is to be expected of Chris Whitaker, this was masterfully written. Tragic and traumatic and beautiful and raw. So deeply complex. This story is engaging on so many levels. A serial killer mystery layered over complicated small-town relationships that span decades that will have you devouring chapters. While the mystery is the driving force of the novel, and will have you as completely obsessed with solving it as the main characters, the artfully crafted, intricately connected stories around the mystery are what truly bring this novel to life. Be prepared to cycle through a broad range of emotions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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
When it’s good, it’s great. Most of the time, it’s boring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death, War
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Blood, Kidnapping, Abortion
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
We look at others with fucking trivial problems, and we think how long they'd last with a taste of our childhoods.
I'm not sure if the publishers marketed this book as a mystery/thriller, but I've noticed many people expressing disappointment. I approached it without any expectations and didn't feel misled at all. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and brilliance of this book. The writing reminded me of one of my all-time favorite books, *Never Let Me Go* It shares the same beautiful bleakness, with prose that is both ornate and melancholic. The slow burn of this book evokes deep emotions and hits you right in the gut. However, I understand that this book is not for everyone. It's a slow-paced narrative that tackles several triggering topics like child abuse, domestic violence, and addiction
If you're looking for a straightforward mystery/thriller, you might be disappointed. While the mystery element present, this book is much more than that. It's a profound exploration of the human condition, delving into the effects of traumatic experiences and their psychological implications. The story is about friendships, family, loss, unrequited love, and how an unexpected event can change the course of your life.
While this is one of the good books I have read this
year, it has some glaring issues. The book is filled with many unrealistic coincidences that, although didn't mind while reading, believe the author
could have handled differently. I can see some people being bothered them. There were numerous occasions where the author could have ended the
book in a bittersweet manner, which would have been more satisfying than the conclusion we got. I was ready to give this book a 5-star rating until I
reached the ending. It undid much of the character development and plot tension that had been carefully built up.
believe the author's attempt to wrap up the plot points was too much. He didn't leave anything to our imagination. Everything was over-explained, and everything worked out perfectly for everyone in the end.' it felt like the author was tying up every loose end with a neat little bow which took away from the
story's potential depth and complexity.
One plot point, in particular, was completely butchered at the end. It felt unnecessary and added nothing to the story. I found myself scratching my head, wondering why the author decided to mess with such a crucial part of a character's growth. It was like watching someone trip over their own shoelaces right before crossing the finish line.
Another issue I encountered, which didn't bother me as much but might frustrate other readers, was that the major twists were presented in a confusing and convoluted manner, often in just a line or two, before quickly moving on. This made it difficult to fully grasp the significance of these twists. While I didn't mind this stylistic choice for the most part, I felt that some plot twists could have benefited from more in-depth exploration.
We look at others with fucking trivial problems, and we think how long they'd last with a taste of our childhoods
Synopsis
In this book, we follow Saint, a young girl navigating the challenges of growing up, and her one-eyed friend, Patch, living in a small town in Missouri in 1975. They form an unlikely friendship, until one day, Patch intervenes to save a popular girl, Misty Meyer, from being kidnapped. The situation spirals out of control, and Patch is taken instead. Overcome with grief but driven by unfathomable courage, Saint sets out on a journey to find her friend, Patch. However, her quest doesn't end there. Ilt leads her down a rabbit hole. The existence of a girl named Grace,
kidnapped alongside Patch, becomes a mystery and a pivotal part of the story.
"Two people are less lost than one."
Over the next 26 years, we witness the characters
growth, challenges, and the complexities of their lives. This one event continues to haunt our main characters into their adulthood. Saint transforms
into a strong and independent police officer, though she carries emotional baggage from her childhood and the pain of unrequited love. Her journey takes her through various towns and cities, searching for the victims of the same man responsible for kidnapping Patch and Grace. Misty, forever
grateful for Patch's sacrifice, becomes an integral part of their intertwined fates. Grace's mysterious disappearance continues to influence the paths of our characters even in their adulthood.
The story focuses on the who and why of the heinous acts. The mystery is prevalent throughout
the narrative, but the heavy focus is on the characters and their journeys.
The narrative explores themes of survivors guilt, trauma, friendship, loss, and the passage of time, culminating in a conclusion that ties together the characters' journeys, revealing the profound impact
of their shared experiences. The story highlights the enduring strength of human connections and the relentless pursuit of justice, ultimately leading to a resolution that honors the sacrifices made and the bonds formed along the way.
"Time changes our ability to view the things that
hurt us." "But not the pain."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy