Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean

30 reviews

angelofthetardis's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.5

Objectively speaking, this is a well written dark, tense thriller that leaves the reader feeling just as suffocated and trapped as the main character. The narrative and setting reflect each other well; nothing wasted, tightly controlled, gets the job done, and yet highly effective. I can see why people who enjoy this genre would rave about this book.

However, I'm not one of those people. This is a genre that I don't generally pick up, not because I'm triggered by anything within, but more just because I use reading as an escape to fantasy land, which this definitely isn't. My star rating reflects my subjective feelings; while it was a good read and I could digest it quickly, I couldn't derive any enjoyment or pleasure from it.

I didn't think there was much depth to the book; while the main character's backstory is clear, the motivations of her "husband" remain shrouded in mystery. In no way would any tragic backstory redeem him and he is clearly a bad person, but the gap left me with more questions than answers; is he perpetuating the cycle? Is he emulating his father, or did he have a weird obsession with his mother? Was he 'normal' with his first wife? If so, what made him turn? There are tantalising glimpses, but not enough to garner the feeling of full on, villain levels of hatred and disgust in the reader, which is definitely what you should be feeling for this man!!

Likewise, there are some plot points and actions that occur with little to no explanation, that make very little sense to me. They're clearly necessary for the story to move forward, but again it feels like there are big gaps left while the story moves on. I'm not saying everything needs explanation down to the tiniest detail, but in this case it seems to me that just too many details are missing.

I found the climax to be both exactly what you would be hoping for, and yet very underwhelming. Again, the lack of detail just leaves it wanting. In my head, the last moment of the main story should have been a last look back over the farmland, illuminated by the glow of embers and with the sound of crackling wood... this would still leave it up to the reader's imagination so there's nothing graphic, but would have given it the finality the story deserved. As it is, it's all inferred. And then the epilogue just feels too 'easy' and, oddly, seems to me to be the least realistic part of the book...

This book was recommended to me by my Mum. I am really glad she found a book she could devour quickly, and I'm so grateful I get to share the experience with her, even if it's not to the same degree.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Kidnapping, Rape, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Slavery, and Trafficking

amccurley's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Rape, and Sexual content

elysianbud's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Incredibly sad and upsetting novel. Thankfully ends on a high note, but the main character goes through much trauma.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deportation, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Torture, Slavery, Trafficking, Confinement, Drug use, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence

lukasmummy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Slavery, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, and Emotional abuse

beckyremillard's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The main character in this book is a victim of human trafficking which resulted in living as the “wife” of pig farmer, Lenn. 

It’s an emotional story because we can tell that the main character is just doing her best to survive while facing so many dark obstacles. 

I was not expecting that twist toward the end. If I reread it I’m sure it would be more obvious but this book was hard enough to get through the first time - not due to poor writing or anything like that, just because of what she has to deal with every day.

Definitely check the content warnings on this one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Deportation

Minor: Suicide

hollyfitton1's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation, Gore, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Rape, Sexual violence, Grief, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Child death and Child abuse

nialiversuch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Blood, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Pregnancy, Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Addiction, Body horror, Mental illness, Murder, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Deportation, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Vomit, and Death of parent

wonderfulxwonderful's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Rape, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

morethanmylupus's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, and Kidnapping

efiwritesbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

See my full Youtube review here: https://youtu.be/n5L9lAC1WdY

 The Last thing to Burn is the heartbreaking tale of a woman's struggle to retain her personhood in the face of modern slavery. When her daughter is born, her resolve changes to desperation.

It's a phenomenal story, well-told, with interesting characters and easily-accessible language.

Highly recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Trafficking, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Confinement, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Misogyny