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A review by vangoghssunflowers
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
Mostly disappointing. I thought the premise was exciting, but thought it lacked luster in the end.
I think this book would’ve succeeded if it stuck to one character’s point of view over multiple novels. Too much jumping around from person to person, with some sections going in for paragraphs before you find out who’s eyes you’re seeing through. The writing style was not tight enough to immediately differentiate characters from one another, so I was left confused and often had to reread portions once I realized I was picturing the wrong person. We’re introduced to far too many characters and too many points of view. “Show don’t tell” taken too far.
I also thought there were far too many sex scenes that didn’t further the plot. There were also many instances of unnerving descriptions of sexual content.
Personally, I thought there was also very little buy in for our characters. I disliked most of the people we met and didn’t believe in their relationships. While I get it’s the end of the world, why would these seemingly strong bonds form between characters out of nowhere?I’m honestly supposed to believe Robbie and Fran are connected after one day of knowing each other and one night of sex? Which also, VERY WEIRDLY happened after Beth was brutally raped?
I thought the strongest aspect of this book was the world building, but certain structures felt unfinished and underwhelming. I very much disliked Teach as a villain. She had no substance besides being a TERF. Literally every piece of dialogue we get from her is just a super villain monologue. We get it, she’s evil. But does she really only ever talk about her womb? Really?
Overall, 3 star read. Premise and world building did a lot of heavy lifting for the confusing structure and lack luster plot.
I think this book would’ve succeeded if it stuck to one character’s point of view over multiple novels. Too much jumping around from person to person, with some sections going in for paragraphs before you find out who’s eyes you’re seeing through. The writing style was not tight enough to immediately differentiate characters from one another, so I was left confused and often had to reread portions once I realized I was picturing the wrong person. We’re introduced to far too many characters and too many points of view. “Show don’t tell” taken too far.
I also thought there were far too many sex scenes that didn’t further the plot. There were also many instances of unnerving descriptions of sexual content.
Personally, I thought there was also very little buy in for our characters. I disliked most of the people we met and didn’t believe in their relationships. While I get it’s the end of the world, why would these seemingly strong bonds form between characters out of nowhere?
I thought the strongest aspect of this book was the world building, but certain structures felt unfinished and underwhelming. I very much disliked Teach as a villain. She had no substance besides being a TERF. Literally every piece of dialogue we get from her is just a super villain monologue. We get it, she’s evil. But does she really only ever talk about her womb? Really?
Overall, 3 star read. Premise and world building did a lot of heavy lifting for the confusing structure and lack luster plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, and Dysphoria