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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
Veľmi zaujímavý a napínavý triler, ktorý som celý čítala so zatajeným dychom. Aj by som mu dala 5hviezdičiek, ale dej sa niekedy neeeeskutočne vliekol a troška mi to skazilo čitateľský zážitok. Taktiež mi troška prekážalo skákanie v časovej línií. Bolo to síce zaujímavé a hlavne viditeľne označené, ale akonáhle sme sa dostali do časti kde sa začalo niečo diať, scéna preskočila do minulosti.
Čo sa mi však na knihe veľmi páčilo boli postavy. A tých tam bolo naozaj že dosť. Avšak každá jedna z postáv mala silný charakter. Už od začiatku som vedela, ktorú postavu budem milovať a ktorú naopak nenávidieť. Príbeh nám rozpráva o dievčati menom Abigail, ktoré sa po párty nevráti domov.
Ale nie je to príbeh len o tomto dievčati. Skoro každá jedna postava si nesie nejaké tajomstvo so sebou. Niekedy je to len malá skoro bezvýznamná vec, ale pri niektorých postavách to bola veľmi veľká a dôležitá vec, ktorá mala s prípadom niečo spoločné. Ich tajomstvá sa pomaly odhaľovali a tým sa aj samotný príbeh Abigail vyšetroval až k veľmi prekvapivému koncu.
Knihu som čítala v napätí a až na niektoré veci, ktoré mi prekážali to bolo naozaj výborné čítanie.
Čo sa mi však na knihe veľmi páčilo boli postavy. A tých tam bolo naozaj že dosť. Avšak každá jedna z postáv mala silný charakter. Už od začiatku som vedela, ktorú postavu budem milovať a ktorú naopak nenávidieť. Príbeh nám rozpráva o dievčati menom Abigail, ktoré sa po párty nevráti domov.
Ale nie je to príbeh len o tomto dievčati. Skoro každá jedna postava si nesie nejaké tajomstvo so sebou. Niekedy je to len malá skoro bezvýznamná vec, ale pri niektorých postavách to bola veľmi veľká a dôležitá vec, ktorá mala s prípadom niečo spoločné. Ich tajomstvá sa pomaly odhaľovali a tým sa aj samotný príbeh Abigail vyšetroval až k veľmi prekvapivému koncu.
Knihu som čítala v napätí a až na niektoré veci, ktoré mi prekážali to bolo naozaj výborné čítanie.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this was a little confusing in the beginning as it jumps between period times and characters and it also just references all these bad things that have happened to the different characters, but once the story starts to pick up and explain these issues it was a really good read!
I have mixed emotions about this book. The characters are small-minded, racist, homophobic, and misogynic. Very few of the characters are likable outside of the children. Even then I'm not too sure because they aren't painted with the best brush either. What happens throughout the book could happen anywhere and the twists kept me guessing.
The book does jump back and forth in time, but not in any specific pattern. We see bits of pieces from the past that shapes the characters into who they are today.
What we know - Abi has gone missing but what we don't know if she is dead or alive. There are some tidbits of information that might lead you to believe one way or another as information is shared. What unfolds would shock most towns and people. I know I was dumbfounded that people can act this way (and there are too many examples to list) because it goes beyond human decency. I suppose I shouldn't have been too surprised because there are many people out there that live in a bubble and don't know what to do outside of that bubble.
I did feel for Noah, Abi's brother because of how he was treated by his father for being gay. And his brother Jude? That was an even sadder story. Their whole family was dysfunctional from day one and it did not get any better. Emma is Abi's best friend and seems to be the only one that really wants to find out what happened to Abi. Unfortunately, what she uncovers will devastate many.
It did take me a bit to get into this book. It was harder for me to read because of the characters. At least the story is somewhat wrapped up at the end, but not completely.
Overall, we give it 3 1/2 paws.
The book does jump back and forth in time, but not in any specific pattern. We see bits of pieces from the past that shapes the characters into who they are today.
What we know - Abi has gone missing but what we don't know if she is dead or alive. There are some tidbits of information that might lead you to believe one way or another as information is shared. What unfolds would shock most towns and people. I know I was dumbfounded that people can act this way (and there are too many examples to list) because it goes beyond human decency. I suppose I shouldn't have been too surprised because there are many people out there that live in a bubble and don't know what to do outside of that bubble.
I did feel for Noah, Abi's brother because of how he was treated by his father for being gay. And his brother Jude? That was an even sadder story. Their whole family was dysfunctional from day one and it did not get any better. Emma is Abi's best friend and seems to be the only one that really wants to find out what happened to Abi. Unfortunately, what she uncovers will devastate many.
It did take me a bit to get into this book. It was harder for me to read because of the characters. At least the story is somewhat wrapped up at the end, but not completely.
Overall, we give it 3 1/2 paws.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
Whistling Ridge is a small town with large secrets, including bigotry, homophobia, and an undying connection to God and their church. The character descriptions were done so well, as was the setting of the town, that it was not a struggle to picture in my mind. However, the dueling time lines of Then and Now, as well as dueling points of view from a few characters had me slightly confused and almost wanting to take notes of where I was in the story and who I was reading about.
Overall a very good debut that I would recommend reading in as few sittings as possible to keep it all sorted. I am glad I stuck with it and did not dnf it as the ending did wrap up how I wanted it to.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
Overall a very good debut that I would recommend reading in as few sittings as possible to keep it all sorted. I am glad I stuck with it and did not dnf it as the ending did wrap up how I wanted it to.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
3.5!! Honestly, liked this more than I thought I would and definitely was enticing. However, I just felt like all the characters sucked and I didn’t like anyone.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is is hard to review because so much of it was so sad, and so icky - but I'm so in awe of the phenomenal writing and storytelling.
I didn't love the story - not because it wasn't written well, or didn't hold my attention - but just because it was such an unlikeable cast of characters, and such heartbreaking and difficult storylines. I mean, she really went there, and dug so very deep - and I applaud her bravery and courage for tackling such difficult things.
I think the hardest realization that I took from this story is that there are towns like this. There are people like this that are so awful that really truly exist. There are victims just like those in this story.
A fantastic debut. Remarkable storytelling. Excellent character development. Very impressed.
I didn't love the story - not because it wasn't written well, or didn't hold my attention - but just because it was such an unlikeable cast of characters, and such heartbreaking and difficult storylines. I mean, she really went there, and dug so very deep - and I applaud her bravery and courage for tackling such difficult things.
I think the hardest realization that I took from this story is that there are towns like this. There are people like this that are so awful that really truly exist. There are victims just like those in this story.
A fantastic debut. Remarkable storytelling. Excellent character development. Very impressed.