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annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
(vague spoilers about the premise)
this doesn't really become a thriller until over three-fourths of the way through—before then it's more contemporary relationship fiction. but i think it was necessary, for the most part, and actually really well done. even though i knew from the blurb and other reviews that the love interest was not to be trusted, i found myself won over by his charm just like our protagonist. and the thriller part was also very well executed. i enjoyed both aspects of the book.
as for its themes. the woes of corporate capitalism are played out in a nuanced subplot, but i wish it had a bigger role in the end, maybe somehow connecting back to Mat, like if he had beenone of the "Vandals" (but like in a way that makes sense). or maybe i just want to see a man be the root of all evil
this doesn't really become a thriller until over three-fourths of the way through—before then it's more contemporary relationship fiction. but i think it was necessary, for the most part, and actually really well done. even though i knew from the blurb and other reviews that the love interest was not to be trusted, i found myself won over by his charm just like our protagonist. and the thriller part was also very well executed. i enjoyed both aspects of the book.
as for its themes. the woes of corporate capitalism are played out in a nuanced subplot, but i wish it had a bigger role in the end, maybe somehow connecting back to Mat, like if he had been
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Confinement, Blood, Sexism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Medical content, Misogyny, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, and Classism
Minor: Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Bullying, Gore, and Animal death
not so much murder but manslaughterelderwoodreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I highly recommend going into this with as little information as humanly possible. This book was leant to me by a friend who is a connoisseur of the "girl vs the void" genre/trope and wanted to give me a taste. This was literally all the info I had and this book blew my mind. Genre bending doesn't even begin to cover it. I love Ava Simon. Minor reduction for Mat getting boxed up and there being no resolution? That felt a little cartoony and odd other than that I LOVED this with my whole heart.
Graphic: Misogyny, Car accident, Grief, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Medical content, and Stalking
Moderate: Death of parent, Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Death
Minor: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Toxic friendship
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