Maria
I had such mixed emotions going into this book because I have heard very differing opinions from people who have read this book before me. At first I wasn't even sure if I should pick it up but the cover really just sold it for me, yes I am a sucker for a beautiful book cover. Thankfully, I was not disappointed, on the contrary, I loved EVERY single second of this beautifully written and orchestrated book! It reminded me of Then There Were None by Agatha Christie and even though I read that book back in school, I remember absolutely loving it. I haven't read a closed off “who-dunn-it” in a really long time and this book reminded me of how much I love these kinds of thrillers. There is no way around it, this is my favorite Ruth Ware book and even though I've had mixed emotions about her books in the past, this book has restored my faith in her ability to write an outstanding thriller. I will be picking up all the other books she has written without any hesitation.
To start of, this novel is about a group of co-workers and ex co-workers who escape for the weekend to an expensive ski resort in a beautiful mountainous location and then, after an avalanche closes them inside of the resort, people start getting killed and various things start coming to light. I have read two of Ruth Ware's other novels and I have never seen a plot as intricate and complex as I saw in this book. It's fast paced and thrilling and even though I couldn't stop reading it for the life of me, I was also really anxious and stressing, afraid of what was going to happen. There was not a moment when I was bored reading this book, if anything I had to drag myself away because it was really late and I needed to go to sleep. If I didn't have two kids and a household to take care of, I would have, without a doubt, finished this book in one sitting. That's how good it really was.
Next, the characterization is the best I have ever encountered from Ruth Ware's books yet. In the other books, even though the characters were good, they weren't exceptional. However, in this novel she really delivers on that front. Because the book is written from the perspectives of two people who are at the resort when everything goes down, we really get a deep look into their psyches and what makes them tick and what ultimately drives them to be the person that they are. It was fascinating because every character, even the ones who's perspectives we didn't get to read from gave us a look into their own souls, either through their own actions or just how the two main characters saw and perceived them. I could see positives and also flaws in each character and it made me care about what happened to them all the more.
Thirdly, the writing is flawless, as I have always found with Ruth Ware's books. It flows smoothly and helps get through the book even faster, if that's at all possible considering I read this book in a few days with a lot of other responsibilities on my plate. I love that her writing really gets to the point and doesn't phrase things in odd ways to expand the book and make it longer. I feel like in thrillers especially, that is the wrong style of writing, at least I haven't found one thrillers with that kind of writing that I liked. Also, the writing really just painted all the action scenes beautifully and really made me see the story and things as they were happening, almost as though I was watching it on a screen.
In conclusion, I can say that I am beyond grateful that I brought this book, even if it was really mainly for the beautiful cover. It delivered an amazing story to me, full of twists and turns and things revealed that I never could have even imagined. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves fast-paced and “makes-your-heart-beat-faster” kind of thrillers because I don't think you will be disappointed. I wasn't sure how I felt about Ruth Ware's books before this one but now I can say with certainty that she is one of my favorite thriller writers of all time. This book will forever be a favorite of mine! Highly recommend!
And Riley Sager does it again! Even though I was excited to read this Riley Sager novel, since the last time I read any of his novels was over three years ago and it was Final Girls, I had heard very mixed reviews about all of his works and didn't want to be disappointed. Well, I can honestly say that I was not disappointed, not even a little bit. This book rocked my world. Initially I was a bit worried about the length because it is on the longer side and I was hoping that it wouldn't drag for me but once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down! Hence why I finished it in a few days! I will be reading all the other Riley Sager books very soon because this was just overwhelmingly terrific in so many ways.
The story is about a girl, Maggie, who inherits an old house, Baneberry Hall, that she and a lot of people have history with. Her dad brought the house when she was still a very young girl and after spending a very short time there, her family leaves and vows never to return again. As she goes back there to uncover the truth and get the house fixed up to sell, she realizes that the truth might be more than she bargained for. Another instance where the plot was so intricate, so much more than just a haunted house story. It had layers and layers, just like an onion being peeled. Even after I thought I had the whole story figured out, I was taken by surprise and another twist came out of nowhere and made me completely clueless all over again. I love books where reality and fiction is blurred and we try to figure out what's real and what's not.
Further on, the characterization is amazing! Maggie is such a complicated, conflicted character and even though she wasn't without flaws herself, there was so much truth to her and she was one of the most relatable characters I have ever encountered in a book. I loved that we got to see firsthand into her head and what she was thinking and how the story switched between the book that he father wrote that made her family rich and famous and also seeing things in present day as Maggie was experiencing them, many years after the initial incident and escape. The other characters were also very unique and I loved how that affected the dynamic between all of them, which is how it should always be in books.
Thirdly, Riley Sager's writing style is my favorite kind. So simple, yet touching and gets right to the heart of what is being said in the sentence. I had no trouble finishing this longer book because the writing was just a joy to behold and the pages literally flipped themselves and I was even sad when the book was over because I felt like it had passed in a blur. I could have actually finished the book last night but it was late and I wanted to savor it a little bit longer because it was an immensely enjoyable read and forever one of my favorites.
In conclusion, I think this book is a must read for thriller/mystery lovers everywhere. Riley Sager is one of the most famous authors of this genre and in my opinion his work is worth the hype! I have no doubt that the other books he has written will not disappoint either. If you want a fantastic plot with uniquely flawed characters and also flawless writing, look no further and pick this up. Thankfully I have two more of his novels waiting for me and will be picking them up very soon.
Yes! What a way to start the new year! At the end of December, with the holidays and everything, I was starting to find myself in a reading slump and just feeling out of it about everything, so I picked up this book because I needed something cozy and entertaining and just comforting to me. I discovered the Andy Carpenter series after I got it in a subscription box a little over a month ago and fell in love with it. It wasn't overly long but as far as courtroom thrillers are concerned, it's by far my favorite and the first book in the series did not disappoint. I will be buying and reading the rest of the books in this series because it's consistently good and I count on it to remain that way. Bravo!
The first book, Open and Shut in the Andy Carpenter series, is about Andy Carpenter, a lawyer, who takes on a case that's already been judged in court once before and it is seemingly a very open and shut case on the surface. As more things come to light, Andy realizes that this case is not as open and shut as it seems. I freaking loved the plot! David Rosenfelt obviously has found the secret formula to make fantastic courtroom thrillers and there wasn't a moment in which I found the plot boring in anyway. Things moved along perfectly and things were revealed a little at a time, just how I prefer it. I enjoy working towards the answers because when the ending is done right and it delivers, all that work was more than worth it and in this case I can say that it was more than worth it! I also loved how the most important things were concluded very well and yet the book left some other things unanswered, which makes the perfect leeway into the next books and the continuation of the stories to come, which I can't wait to read!
Secondly, the characterization is top notch, as it was in the last book I read in this series. Andy Carpenter is my spirit animal and it is a joy to see into his mind and I found myself laughing out loud many times throughout this book. He has so much charisma, wit and sarcasm that it really makes me wish I had an Andy Carpenter in my own life to keep me entertained. The other characters are great as well and even the minor ones are revealed to us in some way, even if in passing whilst reading what Andy is thinking and concluding in his own mind. I just love all of them, I can't get enough!
Finally, the writing is precise and to the point, which is my favorite because it gets the story across with the most impact, at least in my opinion. The writing style definitely fits with Andy Carpenter's personality because it is clever and simple, without taking itself too seriously all the time. The pages went by in a blur and in the future I will definitely be checking out all of David Rosenfelt's other works because the way he writes is just a joy to read.
In conclusion, I got exactly what I was hoping for with Rosenfelt's first Andy Carpenter book and I was not disappointed, not even a little bit. It was fast paced, clever and an absolute joy to read and begin my year off with a bang! I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good courtroom thriller and wants a hero who stands out and is perfectly imperfect in all his sarcastic wit and glory. I couldn't recommend these series enough, a must read!
Wow! Now I get what all the hype is about, why every single person I know who loves reading thrillers, loves this book! I loved every single second of it even though I am going through a very difficult time in my life right now and it didn't take me long to finish it. The only reason I didn't finish it in one day is because the story itself was so messed up, I needed a little bit of time to process things as they happened and more messed up things were revealed, totally blowing my mind in ways I didn't think was possible.
This novel is about a man, called “The Gardener”, who kidnaps girls and makes them live in his contained “garden”, where he also marks them by tattooing butterfly wings onto their backs and transforming them into his own “butterflies”. This story is probably one of the most, if not the most messed up novel I have ever read and that is because the plot was seriously out of this world. I don't think it's possible to come up with a more twisted, psychologically terrifying plot and being the thriller lover that I am, I was there for it. This book will be going down as one of my favorites of all time and even though I heard that Dot Hutchison's other books in the series aren't as good, I am willing to give all her other books a chance because this one really just grabbed at my soul and permanently left a mark on me, no pun intended.
Further on, the characterization was perfection, in every which way. Most of the girls in the garden, even if they didn't play a major role in the novel itself, came alive through the stories that Maya told the detectives about them. I loved that they all had their various quirks and their intricate, complete personalities and I could imagine myself being one them and in their presence, as messed up as that might be. They weren't merely characters on a page for me, they were real, young girls, full of life and so much to live for, at least before they came to the garden. My heart broke for each and every one of them, even the ones who the least likeable, maybe even more for those.
Finally, Hutchison's writing style is what really brought this whole novel together for me and made me cling to each and every page with shaking breaths. The way she writes, it brings everything to life and it was easy to imagine everything as it was happening, even imagine myself being there, seeing it with my own two eyes. It wasn't overly complicated writing and yet it wasn't oversimplified, so it definitely added to atmosphere and the whole novel itself and was just the cherry on top. I would have read Hutchison's other novels just for her writing, that's how much I enjoyed it.
In conclusion, I can without a doubt say that The Butterfly Garden is for everyone and anyone who wants to be moved by a book in numerous ways. It is gut wrenching, terrifying and at moments beyond eerie but there are so many heartwarming moments in the messed-up chaos and so many great messages that it is definitely worth a read. A book that will change you from the inside-out, The Butterfly Garden is one that will forever be a part of me and will stay with me beyond the reading experience.
Not gonna lie, I was not very happy when I got this book in My Thrill Club Box this month. Mostly because I am not a big fan of action/political/war thrillers and prefer my usual kinds. However, being the type of person that I am, one who likes to venture outside of her comfort zone from time to time, I decided to give this book a chance. Even though it took awhile for me to get into it and I could have easily DNFed it, I am glad that I did not because I ended up enjoying it immensely. It reads like an action movie and even though there wasn't enough mystery for my liking, I was entertained and wanted to see how this book ends.
First of, the plot of this book is hard to judge for me because I have not read any action/political thrillers before this and have nothing to compare it to. For me, I enjoyed it. Was it my favorite plot? No, but once I got passed all the background and a lot of political and government details that went right over my head, I was able to enjoy the more eventful parts of the novel. Conspiracy and assassin novels are not for me but it was fun to try this one nonetheless. I loved that it was action packed all throughout and there wasn't much that made it drawn out.
Further on, the characterization was pretty great. I enjoyed the characters and they all had their special quirks and seemed to act and say things that were true to them. I didn't get as attached to these characters as some in the past but that may be because this book was more action and a lot less emotions or any kind of personal reflection or anything like that. Those are still my favorite types of novels but this was a good time nevertheless.
Thirdly, the writing style was okay. At times it seemed a little choppy and not quite to the point but for the most part it flowed smoothly and helped the story flow. If the writing was not something I could get used to and stomach, I would not have been able to continue this book. Definitely, this writing style works well for the genre of the book. I might read more works by this author but probably not anytime soon, just wasn't my cup of tea.
In conclusion, although this book wasn't really for me I can appreciate it being a good action packed, political thriller and fans of exactly that would enjoy it I think. I myself enjoyed parts of it but a lot of the background info really went over my head and I had to take those parts particularly slow. Glad I ventured outside of my comfort zone but I would have been fine without having read this book.
Finally! A psychological thriller that hit the spot for me! I have been having back luck with books lately and none of them have managed to deliver what I was looking for until this book! Even now, as I type this, I barely had any sleep last night and that's what I should already be doing but I couldn't put this book down until I had finished it. Also, I loved that the main character is a psychotherapist, it's what I went to school for and I loved all the little insights and snippets into the psychology of the human psyche. I just couldn't put this book down for the life of me and it will be going down as one of my favorite books of all time and I will be reading everything that this writer writes in the future!
The Silent Patient, is about a psychotherapist on the quest of trying to help Alicia, a woman who was found guilty for shooting her husband and then reverting into herself and refusing to talk ever since. Now, as she's in a psychiatric facility, he makes it his personal mission to help her work through whatever is preventing her from talking facing what happened. First of, I don't remember loving a plot more! As much as I love domestic thrillers, I loved how psychological this one was and that it took place in a psychiatric facility. I thought it was genius and complex and there were so many intricate layers to it that it was extremely satisfying revealing the layers, one at a time. There was not a moment that this book dragged for me, there was amazing insight all throughout, even when nothing major was happening. Also, the fact that it goes back and forth between what Alicia wrote in her diary and what is actually happening at present time, that made it even more amazing and helped us put things together even more cleverly.
Further on, the characterization is mesmerizing to say the least. I got a deep look into the furthers recesses of the two main characters minds and psyches and I loved feeling and seeing what they were feeling and seeing as it was happening. We got to be able to spend time with the characters one on one, with them and their minds and souls. Such a complete picture was painted of them that it's hard to comprehend that these aren't real, living people and that they don't exist in real life. Also, I was able to relate to them on so many levels, I can't even express how relatable they were, regardless of whether they were what is considered “good” or “bad”. Brilliant!
Lastly, the writing is seriously my absolutely favorite. What a beautifully crafted masterpiece, through and through. The writing just made the story that much more memorable and it touched me to my very core. I felt one with this novel as I was reading it and the pages turned almost by themselves as I couldn't put the novel down. It was brilliant and sophisticated without being too complicated and taking away from the whole reading experience and the memorable plot.
In conclusion, this book is one that has deserved all the hype that it has gotten. I would recommend it to anyone who loves thrillers or suspense of just wants an amazing read that will stay with them for a long time after. I have been dying to get my hands on and read this novel for a really long time and I am so glad that I finally did! I will definitely be comparing all my future thrillers to this one because that's just how absolutely incredible it really was! No doubt about it- this book is a must read!
Ah, I don't even know where to start with this. I had so much hope for this one and yet it felt short in almost every aspect for me. I think I'm finally coming to terms with it but I am okay with liking and disliking books that I like and I am no longer afraid to say how I truly feel. Only took me over five years! I got this in my Book of the Month Club Box and since I just signed up again, after years of not being part of this service, I was hoping for the best. However, what I got was a lot of disappointment. It definitely had promise but by the end all that promise was gone and I could not find many things that I truly loved about this novel.
The story is about a woman named Jane, who is a dog walker in a rich neighborhood, out on the prowl for a rich man who can make all her financial burdens disappear. She meets Eddie, who used to be married to a woman named Bea and a lot of other things transpire..... I haven't even been an avid reader for that long but this book was UNDERWHELMING. The plot started interestingly enough and then it just went.....flat. I had read my share of domestic thrillers and this doesn't compete in any kind of way. Again, the beginning was compelling but then the plot took a rather dull turn. I wasn't that surprised and that's saying a lot because most things in life and books tend to surprise me like crazy.
Secondly, the characters just fell....flat, as did most of the book. I didn't have a chance to get a good look into what makes them who they are and there wasn't anything memorable about them, just ink on a page. They barely made it into the two-dimensional sphere, let alone the three-dimensional one. With that being said, the lack of characterization along with a very boring plot, made for a mediocre book at best. I am not one to give low ratings but my dislike for ALL the main characters didn't really allow for anything else, they just didn't hook me in any kind of way. I finished the book but I could have as easily stopped reading it about a fourth of the way through.
The writing was okay. I did appreciate the fact that the writing didn't make it any harder to read the book and get through it all but I also didn't appreciate the fact that it didn't add anything to it either. It was straightforward and to the point but that was it. I liked the multiple perspectives but that would not have depended in any way on the writing style because it failed to hook me and I only kept going because I wanted to put it on my December reads.
In conclusion, I was underwhelmed by this book. It failed to hook me and keep me hooked and I felt like I had to make myself finish it just because I wanted to be able to write an honest review. I would not recommend it to anyone even though it had some potential because there are so many thrillers out there that are SO much better!
The author, Emily Schmidt, was kind enough to provide a free electronic arc copy of her novel to me in exchange for an honest review. I like to read things outside of my comfort zone from time to time and this fell in that arena for me. I am not a huge reader of historical fiction but I do enjoy it from time to time, especially when it is done well. Also, being a first generation immigrant from Russia myself, the story had a special connection for me and I was excited to get a chance to read about the Galvin sisters and their individual experiences coming to this country.
The story centers on five Galvin sisters, as they leave their beloved Ireland and try to make lives for themselves in America. I initially liked the book for being on the short side because I thought it would be a quick read but as I finished it, I craved for more. That definitely goes to show how much I definitely enjoyed this book and will be reading future works by this author. The plot itself is a dear one to me and I relate immensely to it, so I loved every second of it. Also, the photographs in the middle of the book of the family and the Galvin sisters themselves added a special touch and made them even more real in my mind. I loved putting faces to the girls in the book.
Further on, the characterization was great. Even though I wanted the book to be longer so I could get to know the individual Galvin sisters even more, we were given an overall good look into who they are, especially for how long the book was. I really hope there will be more books about the Galvin sisters in the future because I would read them all.
Thirdly, the writing style was good, in my opinion. It was a little more sophisticated than I am used to and the Irish terminology and way of conversation took a little getting used to but once I got used to it, the book went by in a blur. It is really inspiring that the author was able to write such a heartfelt and well thought-out book and I was able to feel genuine love for these sisters and was rooting for them all the way through.
All in all, this book was a fantastic historical fiction novel, albeit a little too short for me. I would recommend it to lovers of historical fiction and even those who don't usually read it because it definitely moved me and I can't wait to see more. Bravo!
I was confused by this book to say the least. I didn't even know what rating I was going to give it until I was almost all the way through the book because I had such mixed emotions about it. I am just starting to figure myself out as a reader and have definitely come to the conclusion that horror really isn't the genre for me, however, I did enjoy this book. After initially picking it up because many booktubers were raving about it and also the cover is absolutely beautiful and one of my favorites, I was taken by surprise after discovering just how gruesome and terrifying it was in some places but I did end up enjoying it ultimately.
The story is about a girl, Noemi, who is forced to go investigate her cousin's new husband and their estate after she receives a frantic letter with her cousin swearing that her new husband is poisoning her and that something wrong is going on at the manor of her new husband's family. The plot is something that really caught my attention and I thought it was interesting enough so I gave it a shot. I haven't read much horror whatsoever, so it definitely appealed to me. Not my usual thriller mystery but there seemed to be some aspects of it in this novel. I did struggle a little through through the first half of the book since most of the action and excitement takes place is the last part of it.
Further on, the characterization is superb. I got into the mind of many of the characters and I learned to love Noemi for her quick wit and refusal to be anyone but herself. Even the bad characters, though I was not able to feel much sympathy for them, I felt there was a very good amount of background and it was explained very well why they were the way that they were. It definitely made them more real in my eyes, not just the “villains” anymore because it gave them a flawed, human side and I was there for it. The story was very character driven and I loved seeing into all their minds, even if I got the chills all throughout this book because the characters were unsettling to say the least.
Finally, the writing style is mesmerizing. It painted vividly for me, the High Place manor with its creepy atmosphere and unknown things lurking at every corner. I think that's probably my favorite part of this book, that the writing was just a joy to read and I felt myself transferred to High Place as I read the book. It was just on the precipice of being too much with the details and the descriptions without reaching it. Beautiful writing, through and through.
In conclusion, I enjoyed this book immensely even if horror as a genre is really not my cup of tea and I prefer to stick to my thrillers. I would recommend this book to anyone who is not put off my some horrifying imagery and fans of twisty, horrory things. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, that's for sure. Not my absolute favorite but I can see how it would be for someone who is more into all the horrific things and likes the horror genre more than I do.
Finally, a psychological thriller that is right up my alley! I have not read a book in a while that I could not put down for the life of me! I wouldn't say that I am a fast reader by any means but I read this book in a few days because even though I was going to start watching my TV shows earlier yesterday, I had to finish this book because I was dying to see how it ends! It's also the reason I went to bed after 3 A.M yesterday, oh well. Addicting is the word I would use to describe this book because it hooked me in from page one. Also I loved the fact that we got to see the story from the eyes of the villain, that made for an even more thrilling read.
This novel is about a woman named Amber, who is tired of being poor and struggling with money her whole life, so she comes up with a plan to steal a rich woman's husband. I've read some domestic thrillers and this plot was unique to me. I loved that it was intricate and had many layers without being overly complicated and just all over the place. Also, there was a huge twist that I did not see for the life of me and many smaller ones all throughout the book. I have found one of my all-time favorite writers and I will be reading ALL of Constantine's other books because that's how amazing this book was to me.
Further on, the characterization is best of the best. As much as I absolutely despised the main character, Amber, there were many times in this novel when I felt like I could relate to her even though she isn't the person with the best intentions or character. It was easy to put myself in her shoes and yet I was walking the line between absolutely hating her and yet understanding why she was fundamentally the way that she is. Those are my favorite kinds of characters, the ones that are fundamentally flawed through and through and Amber had plenty of that. Also, when the perspective changed to Daphne's, I was masterfully transferred into Daphne's psyche and had no issues deciphering or going between the two. Amazing characterization, especially for a thriller, where the plot oftentimes overshadows the characters and puts them on the backburner.
In continuation, the writing style had a lot to do with me not being able to physically put the book down. It just sucked me right in and the story flawed effortlessly from the pages of the book into my very soul. It isn't a short book by any means but because everything was so masterfully executed, it forced me to inhale the book in a few days. I know that if I wasn't a full time stay-at-home-mom, I would have read this book in one day, that's for sure.
All in all, I would highly recommend this to all my psychological thriller/domestic thriller lovers! It was a wild ride and Liv Constantine is a master at her craft, which is why I am obsessed and will be picking up all her other works shortly.
YES! YES! YES! YES! Finally, a book that did not disappoint me. I haven't had much luck lately with finding books that blow me away and this one has changed my bad streak. I got this book in my first BookCase Club box and I am never cancelling that subscription! The reason I signed up for the subscription was that it was very reasonably priced and would expand my horizons in terms of what books I would try reading. I would have never picked this book up on my own and I have found a personal favorite mystery detective series. Yes, I have already ordered the first book in the Andy Carpenter series, even though this one can be read out of order.
This novel is about a lawyer, Andy Carpenter, who gets some evidence that is tied up in a high profile case that was never solved, regarding the abduction of a baby, Dylan. We then follow Andy as he looks into this past crime, with this new evidence and how it changes things in the case this time around. I absolutely loved the plot! I haven't read that many mysteries but this one kept me guessing the entire time and it's been a while since I wanted a book to last longer than it actually did. Usually, I want to get through the book and be done with it but not in this case. The plot was also pretty fast paced and never stretched longer than necessary and I loved how short the chapters were. I loved how things were revealed a little at a time, this made sure I didn't get bored, not even for one second.
Further on, the characterization is top notch. I loved how even though we were following this lawyer as he is looking into this past crime that was never solved, we got a good sense into his relationships with people outside of his work. This made Andy Carpenter all the more real and made me really care about him and his life's happiness. He is by far my favorite hero in a story I have ever read because he is quirky and sarcastic and I couldn't get enough of his psyche's ponderings and musings. I am just ecstatic that there are many more Andy Carpenter books out there for me to read and I will be reading all of them very soon. I can see myself picking up one every time I need something comforting and light but also something I know that I will enjoy and love!
Thirdly, the writing style is the best one I can possibly vibe with. It was written precisely and to the point without being too overly simplistic and the writing style really worked well together with this one-of-a-kind main character. I inhaled this book and I loved every single second of it. I loved that we got enough into Andy's mind and also into the goings on of the story itself.
In conclusion, this has quickly become one my favorite mystery detective series of all time and it will forever be special to me. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a good mystery detective story that will keep them guessing but also wants to feel comforted and smile all throughout. As I've mentioned before, even before finishing this book, I've already went and ordered the first book in this long series and I can't wait to get my hands on it! Just fantastic!
(This book was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.) This is probably one of the most inconsistent books I've ever read because it was just all over the place. One moment I was enjoying it and the next I'd notice something that would make me roll my eyes or not be able to take the story seriously anymore. The story is about Mel and her daughter, Kate, who move into a hotel after Mel receives a letter saying that she has inherited it but the benefactor wants to remain anonymous. A lot of things transpire and it was a hot mess if I'm being completely honest.
To begin with, the plot was unique, I'll give it that. However, it was just so drawn out at times and nothing really exciting happened until about 70 percent through the book. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and it just didn't. The only reason I decided to give this book three stars instead of two is because I appreciated the effort, it just failed to deliver anything worthwhile. I feel like this is the least thrillery you could possibly get, very minimal in that aspect. Also, the plot dragged at times because the set up took up most of the book and the climax was very brief and then the ending was a bit drawn out again. I kept waiting for the book to be done but it just kept going, even without needing to in my opinion.
Further on, the characters were not very realistic in my opinion. I felt as if they were kept at an arm's length from us and even though we got an idea of who they were, we didn't get into their psyches and found out who they were in their souls. Also, the dialogue was a bit cheesy at times and didn't fit the situation at hand which didn't make the characters any better either. I feel like this book had the potential to be a great psychological thriller but its execution just doesn't work in any aspect.
The writing style was average. I didn't have many issues with it but it was maybe a little over simplistic. Considering how drawn out this whole story was, the writing made it a bit less painful to read and get through. I might give this author another shot but perhaps sometime in the future because this novel was a trainwreck.
In conclusion, I didn't feel a lot other than disappointment from reading this novel. While the idea is there, the execution fails miserably. I would not recommend this novel to anyone else because there are tons better psychological thrillers out there in my opinion.
Let me just start off by saying that if I would have read this book before finding my passion and true love for reading and mystery, suspense books of all kind, I would have without a doubt given this book five stars because it is a good, entertaining read. However, because I've read a bunch of mystery suspense novels before this one, this one just falls flat in comparison. It's kind of like watching a very entertaining, however not quite moving chick flick, you enjoy it at the moment but it doesn't stay with you past that. Also, because I did enjoy it nonetheless, I will be reading the other book in the series, just maybe not right away.
This novel is about a group of high school students who find themselves in detention together and after some things happen, one of them ends up dead. The rest of the story is trying to figure out who did it and why. It was an interesting plot, even if the characters were a bit cookie-cutter and the setting of it taking place in highschool just further proved to me that I have somewhat outgrown those kinds of stories. I did like how we get to the solution, it wasn't revealed all at once and it was gradual, even if I knew who the bad guy was from very early on. I'm not usually one to ever guess the ending but it was rather predictable and pretty obvious, even to me.
Further on, the characters were probably my favorite part of this novel. Even though they were kind of on the surface and pretty stereotypical, I still grew to care about them because of the things they went through together and the way their relationships formed and developed with each other. I think that is the strongest part of this novel, the relations the characters formed with each other throughout the novel. I also loved the amount of development the characters underwent and how they transformed all throughout the novel. For this reason I will be reading McManus' other novels and the rest in this series.
Finally, the writing style was simple but it worked for the setting and the overall vibe of this story. It got the story across without any problems and made for a well laid out and paced novel. I think it also helped with the characterization because even though the kids were in high school, we were able to see them progress and mature and develop without the writing style taking away from it. The characterization spoke for itself and the writing style did it's job at getting that across.
In conclusion, I would recommend this to the younger readers or to those just starting out with the mystery suspense genre. I wish I would have read it back in school because than I would have loved it for sure. All in all, not bad but not memorable either.
Well.....that's the last time I ever pick up a book without reading its synopsis. I know, that is my fault but so many of the booktubers I watch daily loved this book that I just decided to give it a shot and there are no words to express everything that I am feeling right now. For one, I am realizing that full on horror-suspense novels are not my thing, like at all. I like stories that build up to a very breathtaking climax and this was not that. I felt like I was being suffocated from the very beginning and it was hard to finish this book because I felt like I couldn't breath, couldn't even get a breather.
The story is about a family who gets a visit from four strangers who tell them that they must willingly sacrifice one of their own in order to stop the world from ending. If I would've read the plot I definitely would have realized that end-of-the-world novels are just not for me. As interesting in theory as this plot is, it's just too much, too fast. I think I've given two stars only once before but I really disliked the severity of the story and how fast and full on it hit, without giving so much a moment's warning. I won't even get into the unsatisfactory ending, where nothing was revealed whatsoever and we are left to ponder with our own thoughts.
Further on, the characterization was okay, not the best but not the worst. I liked them but because I had a hard time stomaching the plot, I couldn't get myself too attached to them and what happened to them in the story. It was something akin to a nightmare, in my opinion. We definitely got to see a lot into their minds and their psyches but that too felt suffocating, which I have never experienced or felt in a novel before. It was just too much, in this case I think less is more.
When looking into the writing style, it's not really any different than all the other aspects I've already discussed and talked about. The writing is all over the place and it's hard to decipher at times who said what and who did what. We also get a lot of inner dialogue but it's a little too wordy and I found myself zoning out, not being able to fully grasp the whole wordy description. I think the fact that we go between so many perspectives also doesn't help the situation, it just confuses it more. And with the chapters being so lengthy, there were times when I couldn't finish the chapter and when I would come back to the book the next day I'd be confused as to who's perspective we were on.
In conclusion, I struggled with this book like I've never struggled to get through a book before in my life. There is only one phrase I can think of to describe this novel and it would be “too much”. The plot was too much, too soon, the characters psyches were overwhelming and too wordy and the writing itself was just too all over the place. I would not recommend this book to anyone who wants a beginning, middle and an end to their novels.
I really don't remember being as pleasantly surprised ever in my life as I was from this book. My neighbor lended it to me and I accepted it because I trust her taste and she tends to give me the most meaningful reads possible. Never in my time as a reader has a heroine grew more on me than in this book. I felt like I was going through the journey with her, the journey of her life.
She's Come Undone is a story about Dolores' life and all the trials and tribulations that she goes through. It wasn't the most uplifting book for the majority of the novel but then it made a grand comeback and blew me completely away with the complete significance of everything! Dolores is someone that I initially had a hard time relating to, mostly because I dealt with my obstacles in life differently but her growth all throughout the book, that's what really just made her unforgettable in my heart and soul. She's so flawed and sometimes she gives into her demons but at the end of the day, she never gives up. Ah, I felt like she was my best friend by the end of the book because even though she wasn't perfect, she was completely, honestly herself and just like we saw her through her worst moments, we also saw her through the most beautiful ones. I feel like she's not the only one who grew and developed throughout the novel, I did to.
Aside from the superb main character, the story itself was woven beautifully all throughout her life and we took a journey right along with her. I don't really cry often from books but this one made me tear up on more than one occasion because of how epic and yet almost completely simplistic her life journey was. The writing was so beautiful, it made the story almost undeniably understated in a way but in a way that was also able to portray the beauty of life, even in the darkest moments. Because let's be honest, our experiences shape all of us and we all react to those experiences in different ways and yet that doesn't take any of the beauty out of it, it just makes it that much more meaningful.
All in all, this is going into the list of the best reading masterpieces I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing in my life and I would recommend it to anyone! It's so meaningful, humorous and just deeply touching that you are missing out on an amazing reading experience if you don't read it. I personally think everyone needs to read this book at least once in their life because it's one of those books that will help you grow in more ways than one.
This was probably the hardest book I've ever gotten through. Not because it was badly written or had a boring plot, no, on the contrary, it was everything that a great mystery thriller should be. I can easily say that it's probably the best mystery thriller I have read so far and Karin Slaughter will forever be one of my favorite authors and I will be reading everything else by her shortly. I had a hard time getting through it because I was so invested in the characters and I was worried about what was going to happen to them. This novel is definitely not for the faint of heart and it will give me nightmares probably but it was also beautiful and very meaningful in so many profound ways. It follows the story of Claire and Lydia, who's sister disappeared a long time ago and when Clair's husband dies everything begins to unwind and things start becoming clear. It was turn after twist after turn and even though it was one of the longer books I have read, I couldn't put it down from beginning to end.
To begin with, Slaughter has created one of the most intricate, complicated yet exciting plots I have ever come across in my reading experience so far. There are just so many levels to the plots intricacy and the characters are beautifully interwoven into it and also to each other as well. We don't only get a sense into the main characters as stand alone individuals but also in relationship to each other and what significance that truly holds. The twists and turns didn't let up until I finished the book and I was on the edge of my seat, holding my breath the whole time because I was anxious about the characters' fates. They became deeply rooted in me and will not be letting up anytime soon. Shortly put, they weren't just characters on a page, they felt like tangible, real people and that made this book even harder to get through without being completely anxious.
In addition, the writing style is what I would call “sophisticated” but to the point. The sentences weren't too drawn out and long but they also weren't the shortest sentences I have ever come across as well. This made for a really vivid, heart wrenching reading experience and even though there were over 500 pages in this book, they flew by. As I have already stated, I will be reading all of Slaughter's other works. I am coming to the conclusion that booktube really gets my tastes and likes and I am beyond glad that I gave this novel a try.
In conclusion, this book is one of a kind. If you love mystery, thriller, suspense novels and aren't triggered by very heavy topics (torture, rape...etc.), you really should check this book out. It's definitely not light reading but I felt like I got a lot out of this novel and it will stay with me for sure. I may have to read something lighter next but I will be returning to this author.
As a reviewer, I think I am coming to realize what genres are really my favorite and which ones are not. I haven't read that much fantasy but even though I did enjoy this book and it was very well written and laid out, the genre just isn't my absolute favorite. When something is so out there and has a small chance of happening in reality, I tend to have a much harder time fully immersing myself in the story. Don't get me wrong, I would recommend this book for any and all fantasy lovers a million times over, just wasn't my favorite genre is all.
The story follows a young girl named Gemma, who is forced to attend a school in England named Spence, after her mother mysteriously commits suicide. We follow her as she navigates this new world and also tries to make sense of her newfound powers and such. The plot was a very unique one, in my opinion, even though I haven't read much fantasy to begin with. I definitely enjoyed getting lost in Gemma's world, where magic is possible and girls are definitely inferior to men. Libba Bray has a great writing style and I could not stop reading this book, even if the fantasy was a little too out there for me.
Further, the characterization was pretty good. I loved that we got to see what Gemma was thinking because her thoughts were often written in the book in italic font. I love that she is this strong-willed, young woman and her strong spirit is one I absolutely admire myself. The other characters weren't as in-depth but we got somewhat of a picture of them and they definitely all changed and developed as the story progressed and I always love to see that growth in books. Of course, Gemma grew the most and she will definitely be one of my favorite heroines forever. I will absolutely, without a doubt be reading the other books in these series. Although I will probably take a break with some other books before that.
I think the school girl me would have devoured and loved this book without a doubt but since I am older now, it doesn't quite have the same affect. But that's what happens when we get older, we change and our priorities also change as a result. I would absolutely say that this was a terrific book and one of the best fantasy YA novels I've ever read. I can't wait to pick up her newer books, since this one is older. All in all, this was a very enjoyable read!
After the last book I read proved to be such a disaster and was a genre totally out of my comfort zone, erotica, I went back to one of my favorite genres, mystery/thrillers and picked this book up randomly. I wasn't sure what to expect but I liked the synopsis and gave it a shot. Well, I was very pleasantly surprised. This book is a good psychological thriller, just like I was hoping for. I will definitely be reading the other books by this author.
The book centers around a couple, Hen and Lloyd, who move into a new house together and after having dinner with their new neighbors things transpire and Hen becomes convinced that their neighbor, Matthew is a serial killer and a whole chain of events ensues. The premise of the book itself was very interesting to me and it delivered.
To begin with, the plot of the book, as I've mentioned before, was up there in my opinion. I'm fairly new to thriller mysteries but I've read some and this one was unique enough to peek my interest. The book itself moved at a decent pace, although the first have of the novel dragged just a little bit. We didn't find out much until a good portion into it and I prefer books that reveal a little bit at a time but even with that minor flaw I didn't want to put the book down. That is the only negative I found with this book and the reason I gave it four and not five stars.
Further on, the characterization was pretty good. It could have been better if it was written from first person but even without that, we got a good look into the various characters' psyches and I loved finding out what made them tick and why the were the way that they were. If a character doesn't have a drive behind why they are a certain way it really ruins the book for me but in this case the backstory was really delivered well and I was satisfied on that front. Overall, the characters were above average I would say.
In continuation, when talking about the writing style, it was precise and to the point, just how I like it. It was easy to follow along and brought the story to life very well. It definitely helped me to keep reading, even when the pace of the story lagged a bit. As I have mentioned before, I will be checking out the other works from this author because I really enjoyed this one a lot.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good psychological thriller. It might not be the most exciting for the first half of the book but it picks up and more than makes up for the lack in the beginning. I don't particularly know if this is a read that will stay with me for a long time but it was definitely somewhat memorable and enjoyable while I was reading it in the moment.
Oh. Em. Gee. What did I just read? I think this book has made me realize that I have officially outgrown heavily erotic romances with toxic relationships at the forefront. The book itself wasn't bad, it's just that the erotica genre and the characters in this novel were really not my cup of tea. I remember when I read 50 Shades of Grey, back a long while ago, I enjoyed it somewhat more but in general I wasn't as psyched about it as many others were. It could be because after being in a long term relationship for almost 8 years, this relationship is just not the basis for a strong bond in my opinion. It was just too much and man was it laid on thick. Again, this is just my opinion.
To begin with, the plot had a lot to be desired. There wasn't much going on besides seemingly unimportant relationship drama and I prefer books with some more excitement and twists then that. And even after the relationship drama, the resolution wasn't really a resolution, it was just roll in the sack and not much more than that. Now, that's a sure way to just put a temporary band-aid on the situation and you couldn't never realistically convince me that a relationship like that will work for the long haul, so I will not be reading the rest of the books in the series. It was just a book about a lot of nothing. It's probably the cynic in me or the realist but I couldn't get on board with this or any other aspect of this novel.
In continuation, the characterization rubbed me the wrong way. The characters were mediocre but Gideon, in particular really didn't sit well with me. Some of the dialogue that was spoken by him just didn't fit with the situation at hand and was rather majorly on the cheesy side. The heroine, Eva, didn't annoy me as much but she also wasn't anything special and I had a hard time seeing what Gideon found so irreplaceable about her. I also can't believe how similar this novel and 50 Shades are, I mean maybe if I would've read this one before 50 Shades, I would have liked it more but I just felt like I was rereading 50 Shades. Although truth be told, if I would've read 50 Shades nowadays, I am certain I would have hated it just as much.
Further on, the writing style is the only thing that I found likeable about this novel. It was easy to read and even though I made myself finish this novel, the writing style helped get through it faster. I am usually not one to give books two stars but this book just had way too much nonsense for one book and I couldn't stomach it. I need an aspect of reality in my novels and this one had none whatsoever.
In conclusion, this was probably the worst book I have read all year and I will be staying away from heavy erotica that's too much like 50 Shades of Grey. This book might be suitable for readers who love an unrealistic and barely believable romance full of smutty scenes and nothing else. Guess I'll stick with my other beloved genres.
I initially picked up this book because a booktuber I really like to watch mentioned it and said that it was a great mystery with twists and turns at every corner and boy, was she right! I read Ruth Ware's, The Woman in Cabin 10 and was kind of disappointed especially after all the hype and the expectations that I would love it. Well, this one didn't disappoint! Ruth Ware definitely deserves all the recognition she has gotten and can masterfully weave a twisty and very horrifying mystery masterpiece so I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future. The Death of Mrs. Westaway is about a girl named Maggie who receives a letter, naming her a beneficiary in Mrs. Westaway's will and even though she suspects that it might just all be a huge mistake, money issues force her to make the trip in hopes of being able to claim some kind of monetary payout. It's about how she stumbles upon a lot more than she ever imagined or bargained for.
First of, this book is probably one of the best mysteries I have ever read in my life so far. The plot is intricate and nothing like I have ever encountered before. The pacing is also pretty even all throughout the book and you get a little more reveal all throughout. I dislike books that reveal all their secrets at the very end and seem hurried to close but this one didn't do that. I think that's part of the reason I couldn't stop reading it and literally couldn't put it down for the life of me. If I wasn't a stay-at-home-mom of two, I would have read this in one sitting without a doubt.
Secondly, the character development is superb. I really got a sense of who the main heroine, Hal, is and I related to her in numerous ways. There was a very strong sense of humanity in her and she couldn't have easily been a real life person, struggling to make her life in this world and life. I loved that she was the underdog and there were almost more faults to her than attributes, yet she still persevered and held her own until the very end. The other characters were more unremarkable to me but Hal definitely stuck with me.
Further on, the writing style of Ruth Ware is one I have really learned to love. It's superb for these mystery style novels and helps the story flow at the perfect pace and it almost seems as though the pages just kind of turn themselves and before I know it I am done with the whole novel. I will definitely be reading all her other works and am very glad that she has a bunch.
In conclusion, The Death of Mrs. Westaway is a mystery novel that stands out amongst the other ones in the genre. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good page-turning mystery, with endless twists and turns that you will probably not see coming. I wasn't sure about Ruth Ware as an author before but now I can honestly say that I am a huge fan after this book. I hope she keeps writing stories as intricate and uniquely profound as this one because I am completely in awe!
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. I am............speechless. After reading this book most of the books I have read in the past that I gave five stars to, seem to pale in comparison to this masterpiece. What a breathtaking journey Hosseini has brought to life in the pages of this book. It was definitely not an easy read, far from it, but what I got in the end was more valuable than gold. This book has taught me so many things and I will carry it with me for as long as I live, that's how deeply profound and meaningful it truly is.
This story centers around two girls, Mariam and Laila and how their lives intertwine and leave permanent marks on the other. There was a heavy historical component to this book and even though I'm not usually crazy into those, in this case I loved every moment of it and it taught me many things I did not know and opened my eyes to a lot. I feel like this book should be a requirement to read because even though it ripped my heart wide open and made my cry like I've never cried for a book before, it left me a better person and made me ponder.....everything I've ever known or believed about life.
To begin with, the way this story is told, it is easily the best written book I have ever read in my whole life. The way that Hosseini is able to paint a scene so vividly, take us straight into the middle of the action, make us feel and see exactly what the character is seeing, that's an experience like no other. I will definitely be reading the other books by this author, if only just for the writing because it was something on a whole other level that I've never come across before in my life.
Secondly, the characters are vivid and real and will live on in my heart and soul for the rest of my life, of that I am sure. I seriously feel as though I have taken this heartbreaking and breathtaking journey along with them and they are now forever part of me. They are some of the most complex, intricate beings I have encountered, even in real life, and we get a complete picture of them, right down to the very deepest parts of their soul.
Further on, the plot, going along with the mesmerizing writing is something out of this world. It's so intricate, intimate, winding and gives us a full journey into the lives of these two amazing heroines. Even if their lives weren't full of fancy things and materialistic aspects, that's what made them even more breathtaking, their trials and tribulations are beyond anything I can even fathom and it really reminded me not to take anything for granted. All of the obstacles they had to overcome, it really puts everything into perspective and makes it clear that the most important things we need in life are within us.
In conclusion, this book would easily make it into the top five best books I have ever read in my whole entire life, if not the best. I would recommend it to EVERYONE and I will, especially those readers who want to be moved and transformed from their reading experience. It is definitely not an easy read, in terms of the topics that are covered but the writing is beyond flawless and there are vital truths in this book that we often forget or completely lose sight of today's world. Please, just read this book.
I adored this book and almost everything about it, it definitely reminded me of the Agatha Christie books I have read way back in the day and it was nice to remember those times. For starters, I loved that the book had a mystery within a mystery, I have not encountered that too many times before. The main character, Susan works for a publishing company and she is given a manuscript of the latest book written by the company's most famous writer and as she dives into the book, she realizes that there is a real world mystery that needs to be solved involving the author's death. It's a really fascinating plot and the execution was almost perfect in my opinion.
The reason I didn't give the book five stars was because I got so into the mystery in the manuscript of the novel, that I found it hard to abandon that initial storyline and switch over to the real life mystery, where Susan is the detective and the suspects are all different, as is the nature of the mystery itself. I was a bit frustrated because I had to know who the killer was in the novel and then I would have been a lot more calmer going into the mystery switch. The ending was definitely worth it in hindsight but at the time I was reading it, I found it difficult to go on at times because I wanted the solution to the first one.
The pace of the novel was pretty good, even with my frustration although there were a few instances when I wanted the story to move along a bit faster since I was dying to know the end of the manuscript that the book began with. Other than that I got no complaints. It was a genius story, I'm just a rather impatient person.
Moving on, the characters I grew very close to and fond of. I found a very relatable human aspect to almost all of them and grew to know them very well. Everything was explained in the end and I was grateful for being able to conclude everything with certainty and was not left to ponder much of anything. Most of the books I have read before have not given me this satisfaction and I loved every second of finding out why every individual acted the way that they did. Now I will not lose sleep over racking my brain as to who did it.
In addition, the style of the writing was simple yet refined. It helped the plot flow smoothly, yet there was an intelligence to it that is hard to pinpoint but is evident in the layout of the novel. There were no instances in which I found myself having to reread parts because something didn't make sense or I wasn't fully aware as to what was going on. I will definitely look into Horowitz's other works.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good who-done-it but with a twist that you don't initially see coming. It will grab your attention and you won't be able to stop because you will be invested in the story and it's intricate characters and you will have an undying need to find out who the perpetrator is of both mysteries!
This is a first for me, a book that I kept changing my rating on. Don't get me wrong, it was a great book and I absolutely enjoyed it but it just seemed a bit slow and bit fast at times and it was hard to garner an average speed. However, I did love almost absolutely everything else about this book and that's why I am still giving it four stars and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes a twisty psychological thriller type read. You definitely won't be disappointed.
First of all, the plot was definitely very intriguing and full of twists and turns and I loved that! I'm not one who dislikes plot twists, even if it totally feels like it came out of nowhere. The book is divided into three parts and although part one is rather slow and misleads us in a major way, once part two rolls around the speed picks up and it was almost impossible for me to put the book down. It got really addicting and we started to find out all the secrets, one by one. However, once we got towards the last quarter of the book, I feel like there were too many big secrets revealed and connections made and that just didn't sit well with me. It was almost as if the author got a little too happy connecting the dots and dotting the i's so that everything could be tied perfectly into a nice little bow. Some of the dots just seemed a little too far fetched. Before that, I was completely in love with the plot however.
Further on, the characters were developed terrifically in this novel and we got a good sense into their minds and who they truly were. I enjoyed reading about them but didn't really find that I was able to relate to them. Still, I thought that the authors did a great job building on their unique backgrounds and the complexity of their psyche.
In addition, the writing style was probably my favorite aspect in this novel, even though it wasn't a super short read, the pages just kept turning and the novel was finished in a matter of days. I will read the authors' other works, even just because I loved the writing style so much. It just sucked me into the story and I couldn't stop reading for the life of me.
In conclusion, The Wife Between Us is a very entertaining and addicting read for lovers of psychological thrillers. Even though the ending was tied a little too perfectly for me, the book itself did not disappoint. It isn't my favorite psychological thriller but it is definitely still a really good one.
It Ends With Us was another book I made a lot of assumptions about. I didn't really know what to expect when I started reading it and all I knew was that it was from the romance genre and highly regarded on Goodreads. I wanted something light and so I picked it up. In the beginning that's exactly what I thought this book was, nothing more than just a love triangle with sometimes cheesy dialogue. Well, I get a whole ton more than I bargained for! This books turned out to be so much more complicated, deep and trensending that I ever imagined possible from a romance novel and I absolutely inhaled it in a matter of days!
To begin with, the plot was interesting enough to me, especially because the romance genre is pretty new to me and I don't really have much to compare it to but I thought it was cute- nothing more, nothing less. Then, once I got through a good chunk of the book it dawned on me that this book was so much more. There was an overwhelming message that this book so wonderfully delivered that it just pulled at my heartstrings and I ended up loving it! It successfully illustrates an issue that is very serious and occurs very often in today's society and I got a much better understanding of it then I have ever gotten before. I love books that educate me and expand my mind. This is the first time that a book didn't really reveal the complexity of its plot to me until a good way into it and I am here for it, very nice surprise!
Further on, the characters, although they seemed somewhat superficial in the beginning and a bit cheesy with their sometimes cheesy dialogue, grew on me as they revealed more about themselves and their backgrounds and went through all the experiences that they encountered in the book which definitely made them grow and change into better people. Growth is something that definitely makes for some really in-depth characterization and the characters really grew on me and in the end I felt as though I understood each of them, even the least likable ones.
Next, the writing style was concise and to the point, just how I like it. There wasn't anything too complicated but it flowed smoothly and made for an easy reading time. It perfectly got the amazing story across.
All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys heavier romances and books with a very big meaning behind them. This isn't some stupid romance story that, it's so much more than that. I was pleasantly surprised that a book I was a bit disappointed in at the beginning, really made a comeback and won me over by the end. Give it a chance, you won't regret it!
Believe it or not, I actually thought I was going to give this book only four stars until about the very end of the book, where it became so much more meaningful and everything made perfect sense and I wasn't conflicted anymore about how I feel about this novel and all the characters in it. So, for anyone reading this book keep that in mind, because it will keep you guessing and in the dark until the very end. For some readers that might be something they don't necessarily like but for me- I FREAKING LOVED IT! This whole book was so refreshing and different from what I have been reading lately and I absolutely loved every single part of it. It is definitely going down as one of my favorite books of all time, glad I brought the book because it was worth every penny.
To start of, the plot was twisty to say the least. It started off as a whirlwind and then settled into a comfortable, albeit slow pace that frustrated me only slightly. At that point I thought that was all there was to it but boy was I wrong. Little did I know that the most shocking revelations were yet to come. So, it's safe to say that I have never been taken so much by surprise in a plot twist within a book, ever. At first, I didn't know how I felt about it but upon further pondering I decided that it made sense in this book and that it truly tied everything together and brought the whole thing safe to home. Usually, I like when a book's pace is consistent and doesn't speed up or down too much but there was a beauty in this novel's slow pace areas that were agonizingly beautiful to witness as a reader. Hands down one of the best plots I have seen in a book yet.
Further on, the characters came alive to me and stopped being characters very early on in the book. They had whole histories that were revealed in components throughout the entirety of the book and each part made me realize more and more why the character did what he did and what motivated him to act a certain way in the story. Even the “villain” of the story was hard not to relate to and by the end of the book I found myself sharing in his pain and all his thoughts and dreams. These characters will stay with me for a long time after this book, they just felt so real, almost like good friends at this point. Kubica definitely knows how to do characterization and it goes without saying that I will be an avid fan of hers from this point forward and will read all her past and future releases.
The style of the writing was phenomenal as well, I liked how the book was divided into the characters story before and after the incident took place and then was resolved (for lack of a better way to put it without spoiling the book). It flowed effortlessly and I couldn't slow down for the life of me, I had to keep going because it intrigued my very soul and the story seeped into me and now will stay with me for the rest of my life.
In conclusion, I recommend this book to EVERYONE! It's profound and mesmerizing and genius and I can't contain my own elation at it while writing this review. It definitely has a little bit of something for everyone and a lot of truths contained in it about the human world and humanity as it is lived. I have read a lot of good books this year but this is one of the best books I have EVER read in my whole entire life, that's how much it has touched my very soul and made me ponder my very existence.