Reviews

De som försvann by Sheena Kamal

frednboo's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • 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

3.75

aj93's review against another edition

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3.0

I enjoyed that this was set in Canada and that it was a mystery/thriller but I definitely was not invested into this story.

slrtwps's review against another edition

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2.5

Update (Sept 4, 2021): 2.5 stars.

*:·゚✧*:·゚✧

Original Review:

On the one hand, I never felt bored or like DNFing this while reading it (and at this point, that’s how low my standards are). On the other hand, I can’t pinpoint anything about it that I actually liked and after having finished it, I can only think of the things I didn’t like, so I don’t know what to do with that.

**Slight spoilers**

Nora isn’t a likeable character, but she’s not supposed to be. I didn’t enjoy reading from her perspective since I generally don’t enjoy reading from robotic emotionless characters, but I understand why she is the way she is.
There were even a few times I felt myself rooting for her, but she would always do something to make me dislike her again. A particular moment between Nora and Brazuca at the end of Part Three was the final nail in the coffin in regards to me feeling any sympathy for her.
On the bright side, I didn’t feel any stress or suspense in the stressful and suspenseful moments (I hate how stressed I get reading thrillers so this is a positive for me) because I didn’t really care what happened to her (and also this is the first in a series so that’s kind of a spoiler in itself), so I was able to casually read through those parts.

Another issue I had with this book is how convenient things were. Every single time Nora needed to get into a building or needed information about something, there would be someone or something exactly there where and when she needed them. Multiple times she’s mistaken for “the help” and let right in without her having to do a thing, or there would be a person standing in the perfect spot for her to use them as a diversion, and then that person would happen to be someone she could use to create another diversion. Like what if those men hadn’t been there with those coffees? What if she hadn’t heard one of their names? What if she wasn’t taken right near the office space where his desk happened to be? She had no plan beyond getting past the front door and it all just fell into her lap. It all always worked out so perfectly that she didn’t need to employ any P.I. skills. It was all just luck.

And then there was all the “action” style scenes. I don’t watch action movies because, for some reason, it’s the one genre where I can’t suspend disbelief. There are just too many things that are so ridiculous I’m just sitting there rolling my eyes and saying “as if”. And there were plenty of eye-rolls and “as if”s in this book. At one point she uses her belt like a flying fox from a balcony down a conveniently placed hanging sign... like, no, that’s not even remotely believable.

As for the mystery, it had me stumped for a while but I figured it out well before the reveal. Or at least parts of it. And the
**spoiler** “she’s gonna be dead soon so I’ll just reveal all my secrets in a villainous monologue because that’s totally something bad guys do” **end spoiler**
was another eye-roll moment. Not to mention the yet another convenience of how she got herself out of that one.

So, this makes it look like I didn’t like this book, and I guess I didn’t. But I don’t usually make it to the end of books I don’t like, so it didn’t irritate me enough to DNF and there was nothing that made me confidently say I didn’t like it.
In the end, it was just a casual read for me. I didn’t hate it and I’m not mad I read it, but I probably won’t remember it for long.

**Possibly spoilery side note:** her sister is despicable and I don’t know how she could possibly be redeemed in any future books, if that’s the plan. Her response to knowing what happened to Nora was unforgivable and as much as I didn’t like Nora by that point, nothing she could have done would have meant she deserved what happened to her and I am furious that Lorelei even suggested otherwise.


Review Date: July 4, 2021

raclmac's review against another edition

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

3.0

afriaz's review against another edition

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3.0

While the writing was enjoyable, the protagonist wasn't as interesting as I had hoped. The ending left a lot to be desired.

carleymae's review against another edition

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boring

heathermassareads's review against another edition

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4.0

I never would have guessed what was happening.


Lead character is interesting and also super broken.

I will probably read the next though I think I need a little time.

reallytinyyeti's review against another edition

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3.0

This was…fine. A very unlikable protagonist, but there was a dog so all wasn’t lost.

latad_books's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 stars. Much as I found watching Nora Watts’ self-destructive tendencies and actions, I found her a compelling protagonist as she goes through hell (attacks, misinformation, her own painful memories from her foster care experiences, her later brutal assault, rape, coma and consequent unwanted pregnancy, alcoholism and complete mistrust of others, except for her dog) to locate her kidnapped 15-year old daughter that she gave up for adoption after her pregnancy.
The case involves the adoptive parents, a security company, a shady doctor from Nora’s past, and a large mining company. So, a complicated case that takes Nora all over Vancouver, the interior, and the Island.
And much as I found Nora difficult, I enjoyed this tense story.