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owlady4's review against another edition
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
alicegriff7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
cerilouisereads's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Mental illness, and Murder
sophiemartin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This story follows Milly, a teenage girl whose mother has kidnapped and murdered several children. Milly has turned her mother in and is staying at her psychologist's home while she awaits trial to testify against her mother. She is the only one who has the concrete, eyewitness testimony to have her mother convicted. Milly is conflicted because she wants to love her mother and protect her, but she knows that her mother did horrible things and needs to be punished. Milly is also concerned because what if she becomes just like her mother, Afterall, she was groomed to be a part of these twisted games.
I think this story explores the idea of nature versus nurture in an interesting way. Although Milly's mom is the villain and the one on trial, Milly is not entirely innocent herself. The story really raises the question of whether we can forgive heinous acts if the person "does not know better"? Also, how can we prove that the person "does not know better"? Milly is struggling to come to terms with the fact she did the right thing, and her inner turmoil is impeccably written. I also very much enjoyed how Milly's new "sister" for a moment is seemingly evil, and how Milly reacts to her. Their interactions paint the perfect picture of Milly's state of mind.
Although I think the ending of the book was well done and stayed true to Milly's character, it was not what I wanted to see happen. I wanted more of a redemption arc for her.
Overall, I enjoyed this debut, and I would read more from Ali Land in the future.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
meaghanelizabook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Vomit
amieeliari's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Incest, and Pedophilia
Minor: Drug use
taymarie6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
redstringraven's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Murder
katemreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship