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asparklingzombie 's review for:
The Damage
by Caitlin Wahrer
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unlike Stephen King, apparently, I wasn't hooked from the very beginning, but after a few chapters, I became engrossed and spent a few nights staying up late just so I could read. Wahrer employs plot twists that don't feel unnatural or forced, as well as short chapters that make it easy to say, "Just one more."
The characters deepen the thrill of the plot. Wahrer develops the dynamics between Tony and Nick, as well as Tony and Julia, pretty well, making it easy enough to empathize and to understand where each of them are coming from as they navigate the traumatic event that launches the novel.
All that said, John, the detective, and Ray, the rapist, are weakly developed, relatively speaking. The focus is on the family, so it's understandable, though the side effect is that Ray becomes, basically, a boogeyman throughout the novel. The few scenes in which he appears aren't rich in characterization for him; most of his come from unreliable connections and John's profiling. John also seems to become pretty blind/weak-kneed to the family pretty easily. It feels to me like it's a bit of a stretch for someone who's been in law enforcement for so long; everyone has their shortcomings and we aren't always consistent, but there's no doubt that story convenience drives much of John's attitude.
Tonally, the writing, to me, is kind of dry. I'm sure it's partly born from Wahrer's natural style, but I'm also willing to grant the understanding that she might have been trying to maintain objectivity for a third-person distant POV. The side effect of this, to me, is that some of the descriptiveness didn't quite resonate. That said, I'm also pretty jaded, so someone else might feel differently.
Overall, I enjoyed the read and would recommend it to others.
The characters deepen the thrill of the plot. Wahrer develops the dynamics between Tony and Nick, as well as Tony and Julia, pretty well, making it easy enough to empathize and to understand where each of them are coming from as they navigate the traumatic event that launches the novel.
All that said, John, the detective, and Ray, the rapist, are weakly developed, relatively speaking. The focus is on the family, so it's understandable, though the side effect is that Ray becomes, basically, a boogeyman throughout the novel. The few scenes in which he appears aren't rich in characterization for him; most of his come from unreliable connections and John's profiling. John also seems to become pretty blind/weak-kneed to the family pretty easily. It feels to me like it's a bit of a stretch for someone who's been in law enforcement for so long; everyone has their shortcomings and we aren't always consistent, but there's no doubt that story convenience drives much of John's attitude.
Tonally, the writing, to me, is kind of dry. I'm sure it's partly born from Wahrer's natural style, but I'm also willing to grant the understanding that she might have been trying to maintain objectivity for a third-person distant POV. The side effect of this, to me, is that some of the descriptiveness didn't quite resonate. That said, I'm also pretty jaded, so someone else might feel differently.
Overall, I enjoyed the read and would recommend it to others.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse