A review by bradbury
Reprieve by James Han Mattson

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Just incredible; the exact measure of intense character work a good thriller needs. Actually fuck these negative reviews tbh. I YEARN for character-driven thrillers like these that give us a drip of plot in the beginning but prove how the real story lies in how these characters' backgrounds and power imbalances lead to violence under the chokehold of whiteness, in the Quigley house and in the real world. This book narrated the descent of Leonard's character and his white American obsession with American whiteness so articulately and grossly, and the way he objectified and misrepresented his relationship with Boonsri was excellent writing. The cultural criticism enmeshed seamlessly in the dialogue and character work was the highlight of this book for me. The parallels between America and a full-contact haunted house that this book creates where the risk of death is more palpable for some players than others is so real and intelligent. Overall I would suggest a read: reviews suggesting the alternating POVs and disjointed plot is confusing make no sense to me as the characters were gripping.