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adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
This is definitely a fun twist on gothic mysteries. More Knives Out, in my opinion, than it is Crimson Peak, the mystery and at times even amusing elements take center stage. The house, for all the setting matters, is less a character than it is in gothics like Crimson Peak, and it’s all a little less horror and supernaturally minded. But it’s definitely enjoyable. I very much like Zeb and Gideon both, and honestly the rest of the somewhat horrible cast as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Classism
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, Slavery, Suicide
This book is excellently done, but is an exploration of a family made up of individuals who have committed horrific acts, save for our protagonist, who modern readers would recognize as having ADHD but who is treated by his contemporaries as lazy/selfish/unreliable/clumsy (and so on). The second chance love story is sweet and their reconciliation is believable. There are also a few scenes with spiders or where the main character (who has a phobia) is afraid there will be spiders.