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sarah984's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book is written in a "then/now" format, with every second chapter being a flashback to when the main character was thirteen. The flashbacks were interesting and exciting (and tragic since you already know how that story ends), and the kids felt realistic to me. Yes, they acted ridiculous but they were children still learning about themselves and the world.
The present chapters were another story. Heather is just constantly making the most unbelievable decisions. She will think of something she should do that would actually help her and then just not do it. She stalks a bunch of other characters for no reason (she never seems to actually have a goal in mind when she does it). It's hard to care about her one way or the other because it's never really clear what she's trying to do.
Parts of the ending worked for me and some parts didn't, but it was interesting to see the threads come together.
The major thing I don't understand is why the blurb called the book feminist when it doesn't seem to have much to say about gender. It takes more than a few female characters and an offhand remark about how true crime enthusiasts tend to be more interested in killers than their victims to be feminist in my opinion. If you're looking for a book with a message, this isn't it.
The present chapters were another story. Heather is just constantly making the most unbelievable decisions. She will think of something she should do that would actually help her and then just not do it. She stalks a bunch of other characters for no reason (she never seems to actually have a goal in mind when she does it). It's hard to care about her one way or the other because it's never really clear what she's trying to do.
Parts of the ending worked for me and some parts didn't, but it was interesting to see the threads come together.
The major thing I don't understand is why the blurb called the book feminist when it doesn't seem to have much to say about gender. It takes more than a few female characters and an offhand remark about how true crime enthusiasts tend to be more interested in killers than their victims to be feminist in my opinion. If you're looking for a book with a message, this isn't it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Child abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Stalking
Moderate: Car accident, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent, Animal death, Drug use, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Vomit
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