A review by theirgracegrace
The Betrayals by Bridget Collins

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

2.75

What I liked about the book: the richness of the language and the complicated system of roles and reversals that kept me reading. What I disliked: literally everything else. The attempt at Holocaust imagery is absurd, the love story completely overshadows the setting and the threats, and the characters are completely forgettable and ordinary. The author is also a TERF and you can see it in the way that the final reveal is played out. Honestly want my money back.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Genocide, Grief, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Abandonment, Child abuse, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicide

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Gaslighting, and Pregnancy

Minor: Sexual harassment, Death of parent, and Police brutality

While the book itself does not handle transphobia and related topics, a particular reveal late in the book comes across as transphobic on the part of the author.