Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

When She Returned by Lucinda Berry

2 reviews

thatbookmarkbabe's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I was wrestling between a 3 and 4 star rating for this one, as I literally tore through it in a day. After reflecting more on it, I think that the book could have benefitted from some more pages that would have better justified and explained some of the characters' actions throughout, and wrapped up the narrative better in the end. So much is kind of left hanging and the book had so much action in the last 10% that could have been resolved better. I also think coming right off of The Last Housewife, which I really loved, made this one a bit less impactful for me.

I would say if you are looking for a short book with an interesting premise, you should give this one a try.

Spoilers ahead:

-I felt like Meredith's character served no real purpose (aside from maybe a voice of reason? But this could have been anyone really, even Dean) and would have rather heard from Scott
-I really wish Kate's indoctrination was more fleshed out. I felt like it went from "i'm writing this story" to "i'm leaving everything behind for you" real fast
-Kate's "then" narrative doesn't really seem to line up with her actions later in the book (kidnapping Abbi and getting back in contact with Ray/Abner). You could see her start to become disillusioned with him after Willow, Beckah and Sam died, as well as encouraging Margo to leave with her and the babies.... and then goes back? I mean I get its probably complicated, but it just didn't match and was pretty jarring 
-Also she was so mad at Ray for killing people and tricking her... but slept with him willingly which I was confused about 
-Scott alludes to hiding something and I thought it was going to be some big twist and then ended up being kind of inconsequential (as with the online forums, like who left the death threat?)
-A few glaring issues of pure stupidity as others have mentioned: not looking into a sketchy "religious organization" that Kate was getting more and more involved with when she disappeared, letting her stay in the house instead of trying to help her adjust and be evaluated mentally in a safe place, Scott letting Abbi go with Kate
-I wish we got to find out more about what happened to other members, what happens to Kate, Shiloh & Ray, etc
-I was pissed that Dean actually let Abbi get kidnapped

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Abandonment, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death, Torture, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Gun violence

Minor: Vomit, Animal death, Addiction, and Death of parent

yuyuv's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Torture, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Self harm, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, and Confinement