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A review by melodyseestrees
Jackal by Erin E. Adams
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A thriller with multiple red herrings and possibly corrupt cops. So just another Tuesday, eh? Liz is a flawed character the reader can empathize with. Returning home for her best friend's wedding Liz faces the judgment and complicated feelings of being back but single for reasons she doesn't want to explain. Her boyfriend and her were very toxic with each other. The relationship ended due to a domestic dispute incident. This is revealed that the supernatural element smashed her boyfriend in the back of the head with a lamp.
Many of the elements within the book are well done. This is including the guilty party being surrounded by equally suspicious characters. There is one character that was not fleshed out as well as most of the others. The brother of the bride. He is revealed to be violent and racist during Liz's high school years and he is sarcastic or otherwise plainly showing his distaste for Liz. Other than that he is not exhibiting any suspicious behavior and is removed from the final confrontation rather easily. It just felt like a waste for him to be so close to being a main person in this case only for him to get a quick off page redemption arc and then get written out until the wrap up.It is revealed that while the police and guilty party are setting up the case against Liz due to her involvement he tells them to back off her because she is just trying to help.
The revelation of the supernatural element was jarring despite allusions made to it throughout the pages.It was written like it was a man until the big reveal during the final confrontation. Even when the perspective switches to the guilty side of the coin you may mistake foreshadowing for metaphor or symbolism. If the intent was to keep the reader in the dark about the true nature of all of the elements this is masterfully done.
Many of the elements within the book are well done. This is including the guilty party being surrounded by equally suspicious characters. There is one character that was not fleshed out as well as most of the others. The brother of the bride. He is revealed to be violent and racist during Liz's high school years and he is sarcastic or otherwise plainly showing his distaste for Liz. Other than that he is not exhibiting any suspicious behavior and is removed from the final confrontation rather easily. It just felt like a waste for him to be so close to being a main person in this case only for him to get a quick off page redemption arc and then get written out until the wrap up.
The revelation of the supernatural element was jarring despite allusions made to it throughout the pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Blood, Violence, Death, Racism, Body horror, Alcoholism, Child death, Gore, Eating disorder, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Fatphobia, Child abuse, Rape, Violence, and Animal death
Minor: Stalking
The rape and some of the violence happen off the page. Violence towards children is tagged as child abuse to cover bases. It is not presented as a classic depiction of child abuse.