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claireandreese 's review for:
What Lies Between Us
by John Marrs
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
How far will a mother go to protect her child?
This was my fifth book going into spooky season, and I went into this book completely blind. I did not even read the book synopsis. After I had read that Nina was keeping her mother chained up in the attic, it left my jaw on the floor.
The rest of the book jumps from many different timelines to uncover how Nina and Maggie got to this point of their relationship. The jumping timelines took a bit of getting used to, but ultimately felt chatoic. I also felt that at times Nina and Maggie's narration started to blend together, and I was considering if that was intentional. The pacing, although it felt slow, I never felt really bored.
The "twist" was not groundbreaking. I would have to say my biggest issues are with Maggie's decision making. I was continually frustrated with how she would do things to protect her, but she was really enabling her. Nina was just very unlikeable in all timelines. The big reveal did not feel satisfying enough and was tied together too quickly. The obvious unchecked trauma that leads to the demonization of mental illness also left a bad taste.
This was my fifth book going into spooky season, and I went into this book completely blind. I did not even read the book synopsis. After I had read that Nina was keeping her mother chained up in the attic, it left my jaw on the floor.
The rest of the book jumps from many different timelines to uncover how Nina and Maggie got to this point of their relationship. The jumping timelines took a bit of getting used to, but ultimately felt chatoic. I also felt that at times Nina and Maggie's narration started to blend together, and I was considering if that was intentional. The pacing, although it felt slow, I never felt really bored.
The "twist" was not groundbreaking. I would have to say my biggest issues are with Maggie's decision making. I was continually frustrated with how she would do things to protect her, but she was really enabling her. Nina was just very unlikeable in all timelines. The big reveal did not feel satisfying enough and was tied together too quickly. The obvious unchecked trauma that leads to the demonization of mental illness also left a bad taste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Rape