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challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I’m speechless.
I’m not a huge fan of mystery books, but this one got such good reviews that I decided to give it a try. Every time I started to think I knew what was going to happen, something new happened. Not on a contrived way to keep the reader guessing (which I find annoying) but the story just developed so well. It may end where you think it will, but the path to get there in original, heart/breaking, and poignant. This one will stay with me.
I’m not a huge fan of mystery books, but this one got such good reviews that I decided to give it a try. Every time I started to think I knew what was going to happen, something new happened. Not on a contrived way to keep the reader guessing (which I find annoying) but the story just developed so well. It may end where you think it will, but the path to get there in original, heart/breaking, and poignant. This one will stay with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death
Moderate: Cursing, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Murder
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Abortion
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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
Things I loved about this book:
- it was gripping to read and I really enjoyed my time with it
- initially I was hesitant because I usually avoid books with child abuse however it was written in a way that didn’t make it overly triggering despite it being very dark
- Saint was fantastic and I loved her character, as well as Misty and Charlotte - some strong female leads among other loveable characters
- the ending wrapped things up nicely
Things I didn’t like about this book:
- the ending wrapped things up a bit too nicely. Especially the escape from prison and life as a fugitive. I mean how could so many connections all be at that prison. And how could Patch have painted the house so accurately. And the pirate sail on the sailboat? I just didn’t like any of that.
- this book was long and even though I liked it, it almost felt like 2 books in oneand once patch was arrested, I found myself just wanting it to finish.
- I really didn’t like the authors style. While it was descriptive and beautiful in many ways, there were also large gaps that did all get filled together but made it really difficult to read.
-There were also a lot of names of characters and it was often hard to follow. In fact it being difficult to follow is my main critic of the book.
- it was gripping to read and I really enjoyed my time with it
- initially I was hesitant because I usually avoid books with child abuse however it was written in a way that didn’t make it overly triggering despite it being very dark
- Saint was fantastic and I loved her character, as well as Misty and Charlotte - some strong female leads among other loveable characters
- the ending wrapped things up nicely
Things I didn’t like about this book:
- this book was long and even though I liked it, it almost felt like 2 books in one
- I really didn’t like the authors style. While it was descriptive and beautiful in many ways, there were also large gaps that did all get filled together but made it really difficult to read.
-There were also a lot of names of characters and it was often hard to follow. In fact it being difficult to follow is my main critic of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
This book was very well written. Each chapter is short and kept me engaged. The story spans many years, so you get to read about how the two main characters age over the years and how they spend their lives. This story made me both laugh at times and broke me. It also made me feel hopeful and sad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Abortion
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the best books I"I've read in years.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
challenging
dark
emotional
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
This book was so hard to rate. Potentially I’ll go back and read it instead of listening to it. Edoardo Ballerini had a lovely voice; it reminded me of my dad when he used to read to me as a child but this book’s writing style absolutely does NOT work as an audiobook IMO. The plot is so incredibly jumpy and the book so long that halfway through I gave up trying to figure out what was happening and just went along for the ride. Coasting the waves of descriptions without diving deep for meaning. Too bad because I thought the writing in this book was “absolutely and completely” exquisite with a profound sense of place but it could have been 4 hours shorter. Although the beginning sets the reader up for a murder mystery what we get is a long literary trip through decades of multiple character life choices that may or may not be important to the main mystery of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape, Kidnapping, Murder
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Hauntingly beautiful and completely unpredictable as one pirate's obsession spans decades and forces sacrifices from all who are devoted to him. Despite the shocking page turners and unconditional love throughout, this is about so much more. There's issues of morality, the justice system, guilt, and bodily autonomy, but it is wholly about childhoods that are senselessly stolen. I often thought about how many are really out there lost, unknown, or forgotten. This is a testament to the beauty in tragedy, hope in trauma, love in sacrifice and all the other colors in the dark
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Abortion, Classism
Minor: Rape
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse