Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Incest, Infertility, Mental illness, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia
I really enjoyed the Greek mythological elements of this as well as the dark academia setting, both of which added some extra depth to this tale. The twist was a little goofy but overall unexpected and fun, although I do think the author could have used secondary characters a bit more to add suspense.
Overall, it was fine; largely well-executed, engaging if not life-changing prose, and a reasonably entertaining plot. I’d recommend it for thriller beginners like me - more avid fans on the genre may be a little bored by it.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Murder
I wish that Sebastian's thought process was narrated from his POV more of why he chose Mariana. Maybe that's a good opening for a prequel or novella for this book.
This was my first time reading a book from this author, and I'll definitely want to read more from him!
Graphic: Death, Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Oh--I wanted to note the author's idiosyncratic use of the m-dash. It was used many places I'd expect a comma, and really broke up the flow of the reading for me at first. It got easier with time. Maybe it's a UK thing? (I grew up in the US and moved to Mexico in my 40s--I know Mexico uses punctuation much differently, so perhaps that's the case with this unusual m-dash usage.)
I'm working to re-establish a daily reading habit, and I was certainly invested in this story! I had a million theories I thought were sooo smart. Pleased to be incorrect about all of them.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Blood, Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Cancer, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Car accident, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Incest, Murder
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Incest
I enjoyed the mystery until the stupid twist in the final 25% of the novel. It feels like the author decided a twist was needed, but it really wasn’t. It would’ve made more sense if the killer had been one of the three actual suspects, or perhaps a less fleshed-out secondary character. It made me go, “Well that was stupid.” And soured me on the preceeding 75% of the novel.
This novel is what I’d call “just okay.”
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Classism
Graphic: Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Blood, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Mental illness, Car accident, Death of parent