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silkmoth's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I first read this years ago, but had bought the audiobook in a sale. The narrator was excellent and really brought the island voices to life, and added a layer of depth to the story that isn't accessible when reading a book.
The story is told through a blend of present day action with extensive flashbacks to the protagonist's childhood and adolescence on the Isle of Lewis. I'm surprised to see reviews saying that the story is sluggish. I found it fast paced and absorbing. I'm looking forward to re-reading the rest of the trilogy.
The story is told through a blend of present day action with extensive flashbacks to the protagonist's childhood and adolescence on the Isle of Lewis. I'm surprised to see reviews saying that the story is sluggish. I found it fast paced and absorbing. I'm looking forward to re-reading the rest of the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Car accident, Alcohol, Cursing, Suicide, and Death of parent
julieviiii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Actually very good in terms of plot (the mystery, the murder and what really happened in the main character's childhood were really well told), but I'm not a fan of how women are portrayed in this.
I loved the plot, the characters, the atmosphere was amazing but women either only have a role of a burden (Artair's mother after her heart attack), a seductress (Marsaili, all of Fin's girlfriends, Donna) or a one dimensional mother figure (Fin's mother who was barely mentioned or his aunt who was just described as "eccentric and cold").
The men on the other hand were really well written which makes me think this isn't just how the author writes characters, it's just how he writes women. (I'm hoping the rest of the trilogy isn't as male-based).
Other than this, I loved everything except the ending which felt flat and easy compared to the rest of the plot.
I loved the plot, the characters, the atmosphere was amazing but women either only have a role of a burden (Artair's mother after her heart attack), a seductress (Marsaili, all of Fin's girlfriends, Donna) or a one dimensional mother figure (Fin's mother who was barely mentioned or his aunt who was just described as "eccentric and cold").
The men on the other hand were really well written which makes me think this isn't just how the author writes characters, it's just how he writes women. (I'm hoping the rest of the trilogy isn't as male-based).
Other than this, I loved everything except the ending which felt flat and easy compared to the rest of the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Moderate: Car accident, Cancer, Pedophilia, Rape, and Child death
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