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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
This was a dreamy and intriguing mystery told as a dual timeline from the same POV, a girl at the beginning of an abusive relationship and a couple of years later, on holiday in Venice with her friends after she finds the courage to leave it.
There's themes of physical abuse, love bombing, coercive control and grooming throughout this story, but there was the comfort of knowing that Hazel did at least get out, as her trip to Venice reunited with her friends shows. However, Venice is not all that it seems, and Hazel finds herself losing time.
I was deeply concerned with where the story would be going when it started becoming apparent that this Venice was not the holiday Hazel expected, and her friends disappear. The ending explained this well with a hopeful note, but I did feel that some sections felt rushed.
There's themes of physical abuse, love bombing, coercive control and grooming throughout this story, but there was the comfort of knowing that Hazel did at least get out, as her trip to Venice reunited with her friends shows. However, Venice is not all that it seems, and Hazel finds herself losing time.
I was deeply concerned with where the story would be going when it started becoming apparent that this Venice was not the holiday Hazel expected, and her friends disappear. The ending explained this well with a hopeful note, but I did feel that some sections felt rushed.
Another read for the bookshop:
This book traverses 2 timelines - the present is set in Venice (really well evoked) and the previous begins 19 months earlier at home in Kent, with forays to London. We can figure out fairly early what sort of thing led to the ‘running away’ to Venice, but the unfolding backstory is compelling. We can also possibly figure out what’s going on in Venice, but again the unfolding story keeps the reader on their toes.
Suitable for secondary school libraries
Themes: coercive control (a new phrase to me, but a good descriptor for the manipulative way
people control their “loved ones”); sexual identity and first love; friendship
Issues: confusion; anorexia; absent parents
This book traverses 2 timelines - the present is set in Venice (really well evoked) and the previous begins 19 months earlier at home in Kent, with forays to London. We can figure out fairly early what sort of thing led to the ‘running away’ to Venice, but the unfolding backstory is compelling. We can also possibly figure out what’s going on in Venice, but again the unfolding story keeps the reader on their toes.
Suitable for secondary school libraries
Themes: coercive control (a new phrase to me, but a good descriptor for the manipulative way
people control their “loved ones”); sexual identity and first love; friendship
Issues: confusion; anorexia; absent parents
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i saw the vision but the plot reveal was not it. i wish i could've written the ending myself, it could've been so much better. so many weird choices were made (by characters and the writer plot-wise lol). very confusing too bc why is everyone acting like everything is fine