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thecandlelightlibrary
adventurous
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found the beginning of this novel to be fairly depressing and would not recommend it to anyone who has struggled (or who currently is) with their mental health (especially in relation to suicidal thoughts or attempts). I think this book could have made its same points without dragging out Nora's depressive state (and consequent actions) for 23 pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Medical content
Minor: Cursing, Terminal illness, Vomit
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I LOVED the first 40% of this book, but the rest didn’t quite live up to my expectations and I had a few problems with the book as a whole:
- While I enjoyed the employee “bios” at the beginning, once the narrative actually begins I don’t think the characters were introduced effectively. Too many characters introduced in the first few pages and I spent several chapters with one of the POV characters trying to determine if the author either forgot about a character or suddenly changed the name and the editing process didn’t catch it.
- I really didn’t appreciate who the murder turned out to be; in fact, the theories I had imagined in my head would have probably been more exciting as twists to the story. Additionally,
I felt the murder’s character relied on too many tropes specific to people who have social anxiety/feel like outsiders in any situation with a group of people. It REALLY read like “Hey! Outsiders/the quiet ones/people who don't fit in are always the murderous psychopaths! Didn’t you know this?” This was SO disappointing, especially since several of the other characters *could* have had better motives. - This may be oddly specific, but the French parts didn’t work for me. Despite having several characters who spoke French, random words were in French, but when the characters actually spoke in French it would say “so-and-so said in French”. I found this really clumsy to read and feel it could have been integrated better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault
6 chapters in, unable to finish at this time. Enjoyed the writing style & will probably return to.
informative
fast-paced
Overall, I think this book is primarily intended for anyone who has never thought about emergency preparedness, but there are still some good tidbits for those looking to build a more comprehensive preparedness plan.
I think I would have found this book much more effective if 1) Similar questions were grouped together by subject (such as Preparedness Kits, Food, Medical, Mentality, etc.) and 2) If there was any form of citation included. The author may be knowledgeable in the variety of subjects that make up survivalism, but I find it difficult (not to mention dangerous) to take medical advice, water purification steps, edible plant tests, etc. from a book that lists no additional credible sources. Since the book recommends building a resource library (chapter/secret #101), it seems like it was a missed opportunity to include the books, articles, and other resources relevant to each section that would further back up each point.
I think I would have found this book much more effective if 1) Similar questions were grouped together by subject (such as Preparedness Kits, Food, Medical, Mentality, etc.) and 2) If there was any form of citation included. The author may be knowledgeable in the variety of subjects that make up survivalism, but I find it difficult (not to mention dangerous) to take medical advice, water purification steps, edible plant tests, etc. from a book that lists no additional credible sources. Since the book recommends building a resource library (chapter/secret #101), it seems like it was a missed opportunity to include the books, articles, and other resources relevant to each section that would further back up each point.
