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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
dark
fast-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
I really hate to rate this on the lower end just because I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but the second half just really tanked this for me. the twists & reveals at the end started to feel almost comical because there were so many in a row that didn’t really make sense or give significant meaning to the first half of the story; if anything it took away from it & muddied the narrative too much. all in all, the first half is the beginnings of the perfect summer read & then the second half is just a disappointment :/
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i've read a couple other of catriona ward's books and i normally really like her writing, but this one was definitely not one of her stronger works.
i really liked the first half of this book. it reminded me a lot of so many other pieces i enjoyed from other authors (like donna tart's the secret history for one!) and i was really getting into it. but the second half felt like such a huge tonal shift that never had a great payoff. the writing became so repetitive and tropey, the twists were corny, and the ending felt rushed and very abrupt. i was so disappointed in the second half, which is really unfortunate because the first half was so well done. i just honestly feel like it was a bit of a letdown, especially because ward's other works have been so good. she writes very complicated, interesting characters and even more compelling stories, so it was really unexpected that this didn't do it for me!
i really liked the first half of this book. it reminded me a lot of so many other pieces i enjoyed from other authors (like donna tart's the secret history for one!) and i was really getting into it. but the second half felt like such a huge tonal shift that never had a great payoff. the writing became so repetitive and tropey, the twists were corny, and the ending felt rushed and very abrupt. i was so disappointed in the second half, which is really unfortunate because the first half was so well done. i just honestly feel like it was a bit of a letdown, especially because ward's other works have been so good. she writes very complicated, interesting characters and even more compelling stories, so it was really unexpected that this didn't do it for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Suicide
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Murder
no overt pedophilia happens but photos are taken of children while they are asleep in their bed by an intruder.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
girl—who is haunting WHO?? ambitious and messy. the ward-iverse is growing, and it's exciting to see. ultimately i agree: books are a lot like haunted houses. classic ward here, pulling rug after rug out from underneath the reader. i personally will be standing on that rug-stack for as long as she's putting stuff out. thank you jordan from nightfire for the arc!!!!! you are the best!!!!!!!!!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes