Reviews

Girl zero by Mike Grist

kesnit's review

dark emotional 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

2.0

The idea behind this book was good. Sadly, the main character is completely unlikable and has almost no redeeming qualities. She should never have survived the 7 years preceding the story because her skills are unbelievable. The way the book explains how she got them is not credible. And on top of that, she is just stupid and reckless, so even if she had the skills she supposedly has, she would have gotten herself killed because she cannot plan. Throughout the book, she should have died multiple times because of her own actions. 

The ending is nice, but cannot make up for the train wreck that is the rest of the book. 

chramies's review

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No

3.5

Who hasn't thought of assassinating the people who used to abuse us, after all? I must admit that I thought of the 'reverse punchbag' idea - in Soviet Union, punchbag punch you - years ago but can't find it now. The idea being of a machine that punches and kicks you. I seem to recall the hapless subject was pounded repeatedly in the groin a la Random Task for some time. 
Nails you can get results with ... 

sharron_joy_reads's review

challenging dark sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

Girl Zero spent her childhood as an object of abuse for her father’s online “Pinocchios” until she escaped. Now a young woman she hunts the dark web to find these men searching for her little sister Hope who was sold through the network. 

This has a very brutal subject matter and is a little too close to the reality of the dark side of the internet. Zero’s quest for revenge is very satisfying and she is lethal and singleminded in her pursuit of these criminals. As she brings about their demise in a multitude of original ways she feels only rage and a compulsion to find the truth, the kills are not gratuitous but a necessary clearing of the rubbish. 

Check triggers on this as online trafficking is a large part of this story and it is, in parts, an uncomfortable read! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Violence, Gun violence, Confinement, Kidnapping, and Trafficking

sweetdee27's review

adventurous tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Violence

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, Torture, and Trafficking