Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - How to Kill Your Family

So much potential. The plot dragged, page long paragraphs of inane detail, no character development, and lack of tension with the murders.

The ending felt rushed and was out of the blue no matter how much Mackie tried to pepper in hints.

Main character, Grace, was written to be unlikeable but I believe Mackie forgot that you can add complexities to unlikeable characters. As others had said disdain is not a personality. I really didn’t care about her character - I didn’t want her to succeed or fail I just didn’t care.

In all, it felt that Mackie had a great idea and half way gave up - wasn’t sure how to pull this off. I really struggled to get to the end of this.

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zara89's review against another edition

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dark emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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crose683's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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billub's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.25

(This review has no spoilers, but do not read it if you want to go into the book completely blind.)

Not to be rude but I am convinced the only people that have enjoyed this book either agree with Grace's terrible views or are so boring that any rude comment made in a book is the funniest thing they have ever read. But let's make one thing clear; this is not a "good for her" revenge story or even complex criticism of the current state of society. This book reads like an insecure teen making crude and edgy jokes to fit in with the cool kids and fails miserably even in that attempt.

I understand people that overlook the main character's many flaws because she is meant to be unlikeable and a murderer. I love a complex narrative with unlikable characters, but not if it means I have to subject myself to reading a self-centered, self-righteous asshole be rude and bigotted for 300 pages. And the book tries so hard to make us root for her, which is really painful to read.

In the worst way possible, this book reminds me of Fight Club (the book). I can't call rude statements made by a main character with a superiority complex good criticism of society.

As a young, painfully queer feminist, I am definitely not the target audience. Good for you if you are and if you enjoyed the book.

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aamelia's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted tense medium-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

4.5

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ameliebryant's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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agirlnamedellie's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I enjoyed this book but I wasn't as excited to read it as I thought I would be. I read the first half at a relatively slow pace - there were parts that I was more drawn to that others. The second half of the book was much better and I read the second half at a much faster pace than the first half. Although I didn't want to like the main character - I actually found myself liking her dry wit and actually felt like I was sympathising with her (which is strange considering what happens in the book!!!). I also liked the ending - unexpected and I didn't end up guessing the ending before I got there which is a great sign!

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