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rubbercitykitten's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
kaitie_reads's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
The story starts off really strong, and I was very much engaged during the first 1/3 of the book. Then it just kind of... falls flat.
Our MCs (Kate's) self-awareness is lacking, and her introspection gets to be annoying and tedious because it's so... dull and repetitive - especially for someone who analyzes herself and others constantly. The *big terrible thing that changed her life* wasn't really that terrible of a thing at all, it wasn't even her own tragedy and you would think she would have moved on much sooner being so young when it happened. I'm not sure how - over so many years and an entire childhood - the issues weren't communicated or addressed by any of the characters.
Kate is likable as a child. As an adult, she is just emotionally and socially inept. The majority of the rest of the characters are actually quite likable.
Our MCs (Kate's) self-awareness is lacking, and her introspection gets to be annoying and tedious because it's so... dull and repetitive - especially for someone who analyzes herself and others constantly. The *big terrible thing that changed her life* wasn't really that terrible of a thing at all, it wasn't even her own tragedy and you would think she would have moved on much sooner being so young when it happened. I'm not sure how - over so many years and an entire childhood - the issues weren't communicated or addressed by any of the characters.
Kate is likable as a child. As an adult, she is just emotionally and socially inept. The majority of the rest of the characters are actually quite likable.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Suicide
bookish_skies's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, and Death of parent
mshusky's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Amazing storytelling. From the first few pages I was waiting for the shoe to drop, wondering what else would befall this orphaned family. the grief of the small family occassionally intertwined with the dark history of the small town - it made for a tense read.
But at the same time the prose was so good, I could see the ponds, the small settlement of Crow Lake, I could see the families. I have never felt such a yearning to visit Northern Canada.
The main protagonist, Kate, is extremely flawed. You see her emotional fragility as a grief stricken child, to her emotionness adulthood, with her ack of self reflection/lack of self observation. The only area that was not believeable was her relationship with Daniel.
It was a wonderful book.
But at the same time the prose was so good, I could see the ponds, the small settlement of Crow Lake, I could see the families. I have never felt such a yearning to visit Northern Canada.
The main protagonist, Kate, is extremely flawed. You see her emotional fragility as a grief stricken child, to her emotionness adulthood, with her ack of self reflection/lack of self observation. The only area that was not believeable was her relationship with Daniel.
It was a wonderful book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Car accident, and Death of parent
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Minor: Gun violence, Suicide, and Pregnancy