Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book didn't quite live up to my expectations, and there are a few reasons why. I understand it was inspired by real events, but my review is purely based on the fictional aspects, which the author confirmed make up the majority of the story.
Throughout the book, I found myself constantly questioning the decisions of several characters; their actions often struck me as unbelievably foolish. It's problematic when a 12-year-old girl emerges as the bravest, smartest, and most compelling character, especially when the narrative follows multiple adults. The kidnappers, in my opinion, were dim-witted, and their plan seemed destined to fail from the start. The bus driver, who became one of the hostages and was the only adult present, proved to be completely useless from the outset. I also had an issue with the mother of one of the kidnapped children; her actions, despite her key role in the story, made me believe that different choices could have resolved the situation much sooner.
Ultimately, the book unfolded exactly as I anticipated. It lacked any significant twists, surprises, or substantial elements that would have elevated it beyond a basic thriller. It was a by-the-book read that left me wanting much more.
Throughout the book, I found myself constantly questioning the decisions of several characters; their actions often struck me as unbelievably foolish. It's problematic when a 12-year-old girl emerges as the bravest, smartest, and most compelling character, especially when the narrative follows multiple adults. The kidnappers, in my opinion, were dim-witted, and their plan seemed destined to fail from the start. The bus driver, who became one of the hostages and was the only adult present, proved to be completely useless from the outset. I also had an issue with the mother of one of the kidnapped children; her actions, despite her key role in the story, made me believe that different choices could have resolved the situation much sooner.
Ultimately, the book unfolded exactly as I anticipated. It lacked any significant twists, surprises, or substantial elements that would have elevated it beyond a basic thriller. It was a by-the-book read that left me wanting much more.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Murder
medium-paced
There was no mystery therefore no tension to this story.
this book played a movie in my head - feeling very lifetime. I loved the way this book flowed, and thought it was super easy to get into. I really enjoyed the four different POV’s through this as I thought it really rounded out the story. this book being based off of a true story makes this read even more interesting!
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I haven’t made my way through a physical book so quickly in ages. It took me essentially three days to read it and in comparing reading speeds, I read it about a third faster than my typical reading pace. This is an odd way to start a book review, but I think the speed at which I ingested this book is actually indicative of how much I enjoyed my reading experience!
My first impressions of Such Quiet Girls was that it used cheap gimmicks to illicit the expected uneasy feelings that are expected when reading a thriller. Within the first two chapters, a bus of elementary children have been hijacked at gunpoint. The family at the centre of the novel has a father/grandfather who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Finally, every marriage mentioned in the book involves trauma due to the husband’s behaviour, which includes domestic violence. This trifecta of trauma undeniably forces the reader to feel uncomfortable, but that is not a result of good thriller writing.
Having finished the book however, I can recognize that perhaps these topics are not used in the book as cheap gimmicks in order to create a more shocking atmosphere but instead these topics are a sign of how authors and readers can safely explore hard topics through art, which includes writing. I no longer feel like Ihli was misusing these topics as it became clear that she took great care over the course of the novel, and even her author’s note at the end describes the reason why she included the character with Alzheimer’s. By using these topics, Ihli manages to write a redemptive thriller with themes that explore motherhood, hope, and how important our choices are, even when we’ve made the wrong choice in the past.
The themes Ihli explores through this book means that at least two of the point of view characters are quiet dynamic and morally ambiguous. She even leads the reader to feel empathy for people who make all kinds of different choices and decisions that may not be seen as the “right” choice.
My first impressions of Such Quiet Girls was that it used cheap gimmicks to illicit the expected uneasy feelings that are expected when reading a thriller. Within the first two chapters, a bus of elementary children have been hijacked at gunpoint. The family at the centre of the novel has a father/grandfather who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Finally, every marriage mentioned in the book involves trauma due to the husband’s behaviour, which includes domestic violence. This trifecta of trauma undeniably forces the reader to feel uncomfortable, but that is not a result of good thriller writing.
Having finished the book however, I can recognize that perhaps these topics are not used in the book as cheap gimmicks in order to create a more shocking atmosphere but instead these topics are a sign of how authors and readers can safely explore hard topics through art, which includes writing. I no longer feel like Ihli was misusing these topics as it became clear that she took great care over the course of the novel, and even her author’s note at the end describes the reason why she included the character with Alzheimer’s. By using these topics, Ihli manages to write a redemptive thriller with themes that explore motherhood, hope, and how important our choices are, even when we’ve made the wrong choice in the past.
The themes Ihli explores through this book means that at least two of the point of view characters are quiet dynamic and morally ambiguous. She even leads the reader to feel empathy for people who make all kinds of different choices and decisions that may not be seen as the “right” choice.
”Listen to your gut, Sheen. Think of Mindy Falcrest. The ‘right’ thing isn’t always the right thing.”</i> page 246
Through her characterization and the point of view narratives as they are written, Ihli guides the reader through an exercise in seeing how linked our personal narratives and identities are to the future we can imagine for ourselves, and these stories we tell impact the choices we make. And yet, these are fluid things that can be changed.
”I accept my past, understand my present, and look forward to my future.… I’d kept myself so busy mourning the time and memories and trust I’d lost with Soph, so busy feeling discouraged over how much she’d resisted my first attempts at returning to her life, I’d barely let myself think about how many good things could still be ahead. A whole unloved lifetime that was now slipping through my fingers with every breath I took.” page 274-5
This ended up being a really enjoyable read, perfect for readers looking for a quick-read thriller.