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So, I've revised my original thoughts about this book. I don't hate the entire thing, but I dislike almost everything about it except the ending.
This book is EXTRMELY TRIGGERING. Triggers: rape, child abuse, child-rape, alcohol, some violence, slut-shaming, suicide mentions, and kidnapping. I specifically mention these here because none of the other reviews that I've seen point out any triggers beyond slut-shaming.
This book was impactful, I won't deny that. I just wish that Hoover had started the beginning a bit differently. Slut-shaming from page 4 onward is really not a great way to start a book. I was initially bothered by the insta-attraction between Holder and Sky, but towards the ending, I think it sort of levels out. There's a major reason behind their connection, and I just wish that Hoover hadn't drawn everything out so much. I was honestly ready to chuck this book in the trash after 200 pages. The actual plot lines don't even come in until the 300th page or so, in my opinion.
I've told a few people my preliminary thoughts about the book, and those haven't changed much. The instant slut-shaming bothered me immensely, along with Holder's almost obsessive stalker-ness. The fact that Six randomly and conveniently exits towards the beginning of the book didn't have much of an impact because her leaving was clearly put in to move the plot along. I also was (and am) very on the fence about Holder. His frequent mood swings aren't even really noted until the ending of the book, where (in my opinion), the excuse given is heart-breaking, but does not justify his actions. If a man I knew acted a quarter of the way Holder did, I would run in the opposite direction.
Also, I did not appreciate the
I'm glad I finished the book, but it took all of my willpower to get through it. I just noticed that this book is part of a series, and I am going to aggressively NOPE out of here now.
This book is EXTRMELY TRIGGERING. Triggers: rape, child abuse, child-rape, alcohol, some violence, slut-shaming, suicide mentions, and kidnapping. I specifically mention these here because none of the other reviews that I've seen point out any triggers beyond slut-shaming.
This book was impactful, I won't deny that. I just wish that Hoover had started the beginning a bit differently. Slut-shaming from page 4 onward is really not a great way to start a book. I was initially bothered by the insta-attraction between Holder and Sky, but towards the ending, I think it sort of levels out. There's a major reason behind their connection, and I just wish that Hoover hadn't drawn everything out so much. I was honestly ready to chuck this book in the trash after 200 pages. The actual plot lines don't even come in until the 300th page or so, in my opinion.
I've told a few people my preliminary thoughts about the book, and those haven't changed much. The instant slut-shaming bothered me immensely, along with Holder's almost obsessive stalker-ness. The fact that Six randomly and conveniently exits towards the beginning of the book didn't have much of an impact because her leaving was clearly put in to move the plot along. I also was (and am) very on the fence about Holder. His frequent mood swings aren't even really noted until the ending of the book, where (in my opinion), the excuse given is heart-breaking, but does not justify his actions. If a man I knew acted a quarter of the way Holder did, I would run in the opposite direction.
Also, I did not appreciate the
Spoiler
use of sex as a coping mechanism for such a situation. It seemed forced and out of place, given the situation the characters were in.I'm glad I finished the book, but it took all of my willpower to get through it. I just noticed that this book is part of a series, and I am going to aggressively NOPE out of here now.