A review by badmom
The Bittlemores by Jann Arden

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

3.5

An interesting premise offering multiple points of view - including quirky bits with astute farm animals a la Charlotte’s Web. The pacing is good overall though some parts seem startlingly abrupt while others feel unnecessarily detailed. The characters felt thin & predictable despite some hints at backstory that would have been enriching & more satisfying if deepened. The tone was uneven, switching from dark & disturbing to wistful and even whimsical at times, which unfortunately shook me out of the story.  I appreciated the imaginative plot and the elaborate scope but there was ultimately a lot more telling than showing in many places. 

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