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slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Murder
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a strange book in some ways- the story was convoluted and not very realistic in how everything tied up. For the first half or so, I found myself wondering what the main "story" would be. Also a lot of the characters voices and outlooks were similar.
However, I did find it compelling. I did find the characters loveable and I did want to know what happened to them. I liked that it told the stories of people who had experienced difficulties and made mistakes
However, I did find it compelling. I did find the characters loveable and I did want to know what happened to them. I liked that it told the stories of people who had experienced difficulties and made mistakes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
Prompt 12 - a book about a road trip - May 24, 2025 - This book is beautifully written. It's the type of story that grips you from the first page and stays with you long after you close the cover. A pirate, the best friend anyone could ever ask for, a missing girl, and a road trip across the country searching for her. Humanity at its best and worst woven into one of the best narratives I've ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Abortion, Murder
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Abandonment
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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:
Complicated
An excellent book! Very good character development and lots of twists and turns in the plot. The chapters are short and sometimes direction changes quickly. A little hard to follow on audiobook, I think this one is better with the physical copy in hand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read this for book club. The themes are intense and it’s a lot of turns, but kept me engaged.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Violence, Kidnapping, Abortion, Murder
dark
emotional
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
As soon as I finished the book, all mysteries unraveled, I went back through it and was surprised by just how much is out in plain view once you know how to read it. Every thread that weaves together in the end is carefully placed hundreds of pages earlier, with skill and sleight of hand. This is definitely a book that rewards rereading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Blood, Abortion
Minor: Bullying, Rape
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury
slow-paced
Other people love this book. I hated it. The writing reminded me too much of writers whose work I avoid. The characters were entirely unsympathetic and the plot was just really dumb. And it was way too long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
All of the characters are either written with depth or the implication of it. While this is more obviously the story of Patch and Saint, it's woven in with the narratives of other characters in Monta Clare, families with missing/dead daughters across the country, and of course, the serial killer who embodies the "your body, my choice" philosophy.
While there's a fair bit of plot, I do think this was primarily character-driven. (In most other novels, this would be enough plot to characterize this as a mix or plot-driven.)On a related but milder note, Theodore's presence — or rather his absence — makes you root for Saint and despise the Jimmy Walters of the world all the more. It's like Richie Montrose's portrayal of a grieving father; I think I'll see guilt layered in upon a re-read. On a lighter note, Charlotte and Sammy are absolute treasures.
I wouldn't necessarily call this a thriller — the pacing of it doesn't quite make it feel like one to me. (And what seems like particularly uneven pacing is what prevents me from considering it an outright 5 star read.) But it is absolutely one I recommend (I suspect I'll be rereading it at some point), and parts of this one will stay with me.
If you can make it to the last 100 or so pages, you'll likely enjoy this book. I definitely did — though it was a bit of a trek to get there.
While there's a fair bit of plot, I do think this was primarily character-driven. (In most other novels, this would be enough plot to characterize this as a mix or plot-driven.)
I wouldn't necessarily call this a thriller — the pacing of it doesn't quite make it feel like one to me. (And what seems like particularly uneven pacing is what prevents me from considering it an outright 5 star read.) But it is absolutely one I recommend (I suspect I'll be rereading it at some point), and parts of this one will stay with me.
If you can make it to the last 100 or so pages, you'll likely enjoy this book. I definitely did — though it was a bit of a trek to get there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse
Minor: Cancer, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism