All the Colors of the Dark Read with Jenna Pick by Chris Whitaker
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Web ID: 20312163Ratings & Reviews
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An Emotional Rollercoaster I’ll Never Forget
There just aren’t enough words to explain how much I loved this book. Yes, it was long, but I devoured every single word, sometimes even rereading passages just to make sure I caught every detail. This review is going to be all over the place because I just finished it, and I’m still a mess. Honestly, there’s no way to sum it up; too much happens in this story for that. The twists and turns still have me reeling. The ending made me cry and completely took my breath away. This is a masterpiece, easily one of my favorite books of the year so far, and maybe even in my top five of all time. I already know I’ll reread it at least once. The way the author brought each character to life was brilliant, and the storyline went in directions I never expected, which made it completely unique for me. This book had everything: heartbreaking moments, laugh-out-loud scenes, parts that made me so angry I had to put the book down, and passages that made me stop and ask myself, What would I do in this situation? It truly covered the full range of emotions. Saint and Patch will forever be two of my favorite characters. This story is going to stay with me for a long time. The way the author wove everything together was nothing short of amazing, raising the bar for what I’d call a complex, unforgettable tale. I’m glad I have the hardcover for my shelf, but I’ll also be picking up a paperback (my favorite) or the Kindle edition for an easier reread. Now, off to see how many more books I can get my hands on by this author. :)
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Bob read All The Colors of the Dark
I waited for the right time to read Chris Whitaker's All The Colors of the Dark because I loved his previous novel, We Begin at the End so much that I didn't want to be disappointed with his follow-up. My 4 star rating is because Whitiker's latest is well-written, well-plotted, and the characters are well developed. There are both funny moments and scenes that are truly touching. It would be unfair of me to give "Colors" anything lower than 4 stars because of the book's good qualities, but it's the minuses that kept the book from being a 5 star read outweighs its plusses. The story begins in 1975 when Patch and his friend Saint investigate the disappearance of young local girl. The girl turns out to be the latest victim in a series of murders of other young local girls. The crime ignites a series of events in both Patch and Saints lives for the next 30 years. I'll give the author for his structuring the events overtime so they logically tie into each other, but the pseudophilosphical insights and greeting card sentiments became irriatating. My major problem was an a revelation that comes from out of left field that I found hypocritical and illogical.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Pro-life propaganda
Women who have had an abortion are not evil. Women that have had an abortion are WORTHY OF BEING PROTAGONISTS. Reproductive rights are civil rights. Restrictions on reproductive health care obstructs equal access to political participation for women. Women have a right to choose because it is essential to women’s dignity, equality, and freedom. Felt tricked into reading this complete garbage propaganda. Keep your PATRIARCHY baloney out of it! Totally RUINED THE WHOLE BOOK.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Absolutely gorgeous, sweeping epic of a novel
REVIEWED: All the Colors of the Dark WRITTEN BY: Chris Whitaker PUBLISHED: June, 2024 Finished reading this a couple weeks ago, and what an absolutely gorgeous, sweeping epic of a novel it is—both suspense mystery and heart-wrenching coming-of-age adventure-journey. Whitaker’s prose is lyrical, just beautiful, balancing darkness and light, tragedy and tenderness, and all that is life. With themes of love, grief, guilt, and enduring hope for forgiveness. One of my favorite novels ever is BOYS LIFE by Robert McCammon, and ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK ranks right up there with it. My only problem was that, at 600 pages, it felt about 150 pages too long. The book is written in 2-or3-page vignettes, and each one is a mini-story. But frequently, I would feel impatient, that they were becoming more meandering “asides” rather than moving the plot along at an expeditious pace, but that still doesn’t take away from the craftsmanship, beauty, and power that this book evokes. Five out of Five stars
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Darkness, Trauma, and Unfinished Truths
All the Colors of the Dark is a haunting, character driven novel that explores the depths of trauma, grief, and the fragile line between healing and unraveling. At its core, this story is not just about what happens, but it's about who it happens to, and how deeply it marks them. The characters in this novel are raw, flawed, and painfully human. Each one carries a burden, and the way they respond to their pain varies, and some evolve through suffering, while others spiral into madness. It's this emotional complexity that makes the narrative so immersive. The portrayal of grief is especially powerful; at times it feels like a fog over the entire story, guiding and distorting the characters’ choices. One of the novel’s most striking elements is the selfless love displayed by certain characters, a quiet, powerful force that stands in contrast to the chaos around them. These moments of tenderness offer brief reprieves and emotional resonance that linger long after the page is turned. The mystery at the heart of the story is undeniably compelling, with twists that keep the reader engaged. However, the final reveal felt somewhat unfinished, like threads were left loose, just out of reach. While this might be intentional to reflect the ambiguity of trauma and truth, it left a sense of emotional and narrative incompleteness. Overall, All the Colors of the Dark is a gripping, emotionally intense read that lingers in the mind. It’s a story about how people break, and what, if anything, can put them back together. Recommended for readers who value character depth over plot perfection and are willing to sit with emotional complexity.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
What a Journey - what an EPIC READ!
Queue Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" 🎵"For unless they see the sky But they can't and that is why They know not if it's dark outside or light They know not if it's dark outside or light"🎵 What a fantastic novel – dare I say it will be one of my favorite reads of 2025? With all of the pre-publication praise and having read and loved We Begin at the End, I knew I just had to read All the Colors of the Dark! Though a bit daunting in size (593 pages), the short chapters and poignant dialogue had me turning page after page, and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. Whitaker created a genre-bending, well-paced, heart-pounding and heart-wrenching novel. And once again, Whitaker has also fleshed out a cast of unforgettable characters who are so vibrant, so complex, so strong yet flawed and vulnerable, I know Patch and Saint and Sammy will stay with me the way Duchess and Walk have all these years. I will say there were a few points in the second half of the novel where I felt like it strayed a bit, but not enough to impact my intent to finish and find out what happens in the end. Now only if Duchess and Patch would cross paths. A great book club book for sure!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Not really a thriller, but still great!
4.5 stars, wow did this book make me weep. This is a sweeping tale told through the main characters’ lifetimes. Chris Whitaker wrote such beautiful characters that felt raw and easy to empathize with. This is not a thriller. That would be my main complaint. Obviously it doesn’t need to be, but that’s how the synopsis painted it, so it took me a while to stop waiting for it to really ramp up. What it is is an emotional drama focusing on trauma and grief in a beautifully devastating way. The subject matter is dark, but a glimmer of hope can be felt throughout. Although it wasn’t the thriller I was expecting, it does have two thrilling sections. There is a mystery woven through the rest of the book that kept me engaged. This is not my normal fare, but it was a great book. It’s long though, so if you find yourself halfway through and not vibing with the characters or mystery, it’s probably ok to bail.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
This one sticks with you for the long haul
All the Colors of the Dark is a story about Patch, a young down on his luck teen, who happens to make a decision in a circumstance that alters his life forever. Every page turned left me heartbroken for his journey, but also hopeful and optimistic for the eventual outcome of the ending. One of the fastest books I've read in a looooooong time. Brilliantly done, leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat with multiple twists and turns you don't see coming. *I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com