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Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Infertility, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt
Michaelides also does a phenomenal job with red herrings, though I did suspect and correctly guess (half of) the ending. However, he managed to fool me and convince me it was someone else before the reveal. Again, Mariana’s paranoia bleeds into the reader as they try to figure out whodunnit. Perhaps that is the reason for all of the suspicious and seemingly unnecessary characters - to encourage the reader to fall into a similar sense of paranoia that Mariana experiences.
I do wish we were given a greater explanation or depth into the Maidens and this academia-based cult of young women; it did not feel as fleshed out as it could’ve been and served mostly as part of the red herring. I also would have loved a greater resolution with most of the characters in the end, as the end feels abrupt and unfinished after the reveal (ie the epilogue).
Overall, it was certainly a page turner.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment
Moderate: Body horror, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Infertility, Sexual content, Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infertility, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment
Minor: Pedophilia, Suicide
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Violence, Murder
It is pretty clear from a little bit before the middle of the book that Zoe has something to do with the crimes. And that is not a problem. Having Sebastian as the voice behind the letters is not a problem. What keeps getting to me is how much of a loss opportunity it is to not mirror Sebastian and Professor Fosca in a deeper level. While it is displayed and recognized, the abuse and manipulation that both men inflict on the young women of their lives is despicable, and yet, we don’t see the truth depth of it.
Thus, the ending feels rushed and incomplete. I keep thinking about The Maidens and the more I do, the less I like it. It is not a bad book per se. The story is intriguing and the idea behind it is pretty engaging, but when you stop to breathe and ignore the emotions that come with the twist, you realize that the story is not nearly as well developed as it could have been.
Maybe he will hit the nail again with The Fury.
Graphic: Violence, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Grief
I’m not sure if I liked it? If it was good? Right now I’m at a 4 but that might change.
As a therapist, it’s wild that she didn’t see any of what was going on.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Minor: Infertility
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infertility, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Drug use, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Rape
Honestly, it was just vibes like nothing was happening, but a lot was happening and I was interested the whole time if that makes sense. I really liked the character‘s and the little dash of a romance. I did not see that ending coming like at all I was actually shocked , I don’t know this was really entertaining and fun it’s not the best mystery. I feel like but I wasn’t trying too hard to guess and I didn’t guess. I think this is my first like dark academia book and I ate it up. I’m excited to read the silent patient now because I saw those little Easter eggs about it. When I was reading, I actually had to stop and like scream a little and because I was like there’s no way.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Infertility, Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity