Scan barcode
joriekae's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Wow. This book is beautiful. Hard, but beautiful. The people at the heart of this book were so real. Saving Ruby King is told from the perspective of several lead characters as well as the church where they all attend. I thought the church perspective may be weird and pull me out of the story, but it never did. As the story progresses, the reader learns more of what happened in the past and the tension ratchets up to the climax. I loved the shades of good and bad in the characters and the discussion of generational trauma, tight-knit community, and redemption. Beautifully told story
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
reading_ladies_blog's review
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Incest, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Physical abuse
siobhanward's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5*
There were so many aspects of this book that I really enjoyed, while there were others that I struggled with. I really enjoyed the overall plot - it was a tragic profile about the cycle of abuse. However, the first hundred pages or so were a lot of build up and background. I didn't mind moving through time, but I struggled to get into the first part of the book and then tore through the last half.
At first, I also struggled with the different perspectives - Ruby, Layla, their fathers and the Calvary Church itself. As someone who is not religious, I really wasn't sure where that last perspective was going at first, but it wound up being an omniscient view throughout time that tied the plotline together. After getting through more of the book, I found that the different perspectives were used effectively and had an impact on the plot. I did struggle to read Lebanon's POVs, as he was such a hard character to read. I know he was meant that way, but I struggled with it.
Overall, I felt this was a worthwhile read. Parts of it were difficult to get through since the beginning was a bit dry, and some parts were hard to get through emotionally, but in the end I'm happy to have read this book.
There were so many aspects of this book that I really enjoyed, while there were others that I struggled with. I really enjoyed the overall plot - it was a tragic profile about the cycle of abuse. However, the first hundred pages or so were a lot of build up and background. I didn't mind moving through time, but I struggled to get into the first part of the book and then tore through the last half.
At first, I also struggled with the different perspectives - Ruby, Layla, their fathers and the Calvary Church itself. As someone who is not religious, I really wasn't sure where that last perspective was going at first, but it wound up being an omniscient view throughout time that tied the plotline together. After getting through more of the book, I found that the different perspectives were used effectively and had an impact on the plot. I did struggle to read Lebanon's POVs, as he was such a hard character to read. I know he was meant that way, but I struggled with it.
Overall, I felt this was a worthwhile read. Parts of it were difficult to get through since the beginning was a bit dry, and some parts were hard to get through emotionally, but in the end I'm happy to have read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
More...