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emzireads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Religious bigotry
asealey925's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
3.5
Graphic: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Incest, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Murder, Child abuse, and Sexual violence
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.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
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