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shaunelly's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
It was just so deeply and profoundly sad—I cried, sobbed actually, throughout the entire book. Maybe it’s the fault of my own for believing it would be more of a mystery/thriller than a book about conservation of nature, climate crisis, and the human experience that connects us all.
It was beautifully written but contains graphic depictions of interpersonal abuse and violence, animal death, amongst other uneasily digested images.
Would not suggest for sensitive audiences.
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Mental illness, Rape, Dementia, Grief, and Murder
mainereading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
amybartoli29's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Dementia, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infertility, Vomit, and Abortion
amy_rr's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Emotional abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Dementia
randeerebecca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness and Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, Dementia, and Murder
e11en's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Dementia and Death of parent
Minor: Death of parent
missexploder's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal death and Dementia
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
sharanle0808's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I consider myself to be a fanatic of carefully curated prose. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I cannot help myself. At first, the writing was captivating and I expected myself to be impressed even further. However, towards the end, the quality of the prose declined, and I couldn't fail to notice, at which point, I became rather annoyed. Again, I'm well aware that prose is not the sole criterion to evaluate the value of a book, but this is entirely down to my personal taste.
Plot-wise, I think it's okay. The first half stood out to me more, and it was a harmonizing blend between mystery/thriller and litfic, which is usually up to my alley. But as the story proceeded, it shifted into being slightly unbelievable. I don't mind the violence mentioned, but I also struggle to feel that they're necessary. Some of the plotlines or details could have been omitted. I wasn't really intrigued by the backstory of Aggie's trauma, despite how relevant I recognized it was to the primary plotline. I have a feeling that had McConaghy decided to diminish that aspect of the book, I would have been more engrossed. In short, I could have done without it. On top of that, I'm quite nitpicky when it comes to a rushed ending. The ending just flashed by, or it seemed, and I was totally underwhelmed. Some conflicts were solved very easily within a few lines.
It's such a shame because, at the start, I had so much connection with the main character, but due to the rushed ending combined with the increasingly plain prose, Inti was turned from a complex female character with profound thoughts into a violent caricature (I do not deny her traumatic experiences, but the author failed to inflict a strong emotion on me with the character).
However, I'm still glad that I read this book. I don't think it's a bad book at all. In fact, I think it's pretty impressive. It was a nice palette cleanser to my reading slump, and it was the first book I've ever read on Kindle so I do hold a sentimental attachment to it. Moreover, the book conveys a vital message about wildlife conservation. I would definitely recommend it to someone who opts for mystery/thriller novels and is interested in diving into an atmospheric setting of the wild forests.
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Dementia
neni's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Blood, Dementia, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
vanesst's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Dementia, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide, and Stalking