Reviews tagging 'Torture'

The Only One Left by Riley Sager

4 reviews

greavuem's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Gore, and Death

Moderate: Torture, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Grief, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Blood, Chronic illness, Murder, Mental illness, Suicide, and Violence

emeliaisreading_'s review

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

It was pretty good. I had my suspicions about 50% in but still didn’t quite get the twist. Sager always has good twists. My favorite of his is still Home Before Dark but this was a solid, quick thriller.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Alcoholism, Terminal illness, and Child abuse

Minor: Pregnancy, Grief, Cancer, Suicide attempt, Torture, and Sexual content

cinderellasbookshelf's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Blood, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Torture, Pregnancy, and Drug use

Minor: Sexual content

lovelymisanthrope's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was one of my most anticipated releases for the year, and I was counting the days until it came out!
"The Only One Left" takes place mostly in 1983, through the perspective of Kit McDeere, a home health aide tasked with caring for Lenora Hope. In 1929, Lenora Hope killed her entire family, or so the town legend goes. Unfortunately, she is unable to speak to clear her name, so the rumors have run rampant for decades. Kit is not thrilled to be taking care of Lenora, but she has no other options, so she tries her best to make this work. But she quickly discovers that secrets do not stay buried, and the legend that inspired the playground rhyme is about to be fully revealed in an explosive way.
I have been a huge fan of Riley Sager since I read "Lock Every Door", however his last few releases have been a bit of a disappointment for me. I just have not felt that Riley Sager magic, until now. I DEVOURED "The Only One Left" and I am so happy declare that I enjoyed a Riley Sager again!
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and I think it is a unique take on a small-town urban legend. I was so invested in the story of Lenora Hope, and I needed to know not only what happened in 1929, but why.
 

There is an aspect of this book that really reminded me of "Verity" by Colleen Hoover, which was fine for me because I loved that book, but it is a plot point that is not entirely original. However, that did not hinder my enjoyment, and I did not see it coming, so I left yelling "what" at my book. 

 
Kit as a character was not my favorite. We need her to get the story of Lenora Hope, but she was not super interesting to me.
I am so happy that I loved this, and I look forward to seeing what Riley Sager writes next! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Torture, Death, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, and Grief

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy