Maria
Wow, I have forgotten what it's like to read a book that moves you and touches you on such a deep level that you sob like a baby and yet can't stop reading the book late into the night. I have had this book saved for a while on my Scribd app and am so grateful to my bookstagram friend for asking me if I wanted to buddy read this with her. I love buddy reads so I jumped on the bandwagon. And wow, this is one heck of an amazing book! I laughed, I cried, I lost many hours of sleep but it was all definitely worth it because this book will be hard to forget and it will always be a part of me.
First of, The Night Olivia Fell is about a teenager named Olivia, who is found brain dead and pregnant on the water's edge and put on life support to keep her baby alive and well enough to be born. Olivia's mom, Abi, has devoted her life to her daughter and is in a desperate journey to find out what exactly happened to her daughter and how they got to this point. The plot of this book was a heart wrenching one, it's definitely not for the light hearted and it's the furthest away from a breezy thriller then you can ever get. I loved the development of the story and the pace was perfect, there wasn't a second in which I was bored. I also loved the two dual timelines, of Olivia following up to her fall and then of her mom, Abi, desperately investigating and trying to figure out the truth as to why and how her daughter fell. Being a mom myself, it was hard to stomach this heartbreaking story but there was so much more to it, there was joy, hope and the human being's extraordinary ability to weather any storm life throws their way. So memorable, I will never forget it for as long as I live.
Secondly, the characterization was superb, beyond even. The characters, even the minor ones, had intricate personalities and felt like real people I know in real life. They had strengths and weaknesses and were wholly human, through and through. I felt like they could jump out of the book at me and I wouldn't have been surprised. I also loved Abi's and Olivia's relationship as mother and daughter because it illustrated just how beautiful and yet complicated and painful that relationship can be. This is by far the best depiction of this I have ever come across in a book so far. The characters also developed so much throughout the book that it was amazing to see and I felt like I was progressing and learning and growing along with them.
Thirdly, the writing style was just what I needed to propel me through this book at super fast speed for me. It was precise and to the point but wasn't overly simplistic but didn't stretch on either. Many meaningful points were gotten across and they all touched at my heart and will remain there. I don't often cry while reading books, especially thrillers, but this one made me sob like a baby because it was so much more then just a plain mystery or thriller, it was a story with many meaningful life truths and themes that one can always learn from.
In conclusion, this book is by far one of the best I have read ever in my life. I will be recommending this to anyone who wants a superbly meaningful and profound story and also likes mystery aspects to their books as well. I will be reading all of McDonald's works, she has made it onto my list of favorite authors and I can't believe I didn't give her books a chance earlier.
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!
Ummmm.......wooahhhh! I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did! I have been in a reading slump lately because of life things and decided to pick up the last Riley Sager book that I have not read yet and all I can say is that I was not disappointed. I am pretty sure I've said it before but this cements the fact that Riley Sager is one of my favorite thriller authors of all time. I mean, come on! Even though this book isn't my favorite of his, the fact that I still gave it five stars and ended with a stupid shocked look on my face should say wonders. For the first time I thought I knew who the bad guy was and what the big reveal would be and Riley Sager does it again, humbly reminding me that I know absolutely nothing. Well done, Sir, well done.
To begin with, The Last Time I Lied is about a girl named Emma, who went to a summer camp fifteen years ago but after her three camp roommates disappeared and were never seen again, she is struggling to deal with what might have happened to them. In the present day, she is called back to the same camp to work at as an art teacher and she takes the job with hope that it will help her to find some closure only to find out that she's in well over her head and that closure isn't all she might find. This is my first camp thriller and I have to say, this one was absolutely amazing. Not that I'm all that surprised, it is Riley Sager after all. But the atmosphere, along with all the little mysteries leading up to the big reveal, they just absolutely knocked my socks off. I have never been to summer camp and this book makes me simultaneously want to attend to see what I have been missing and also makes me want to stay away at all costs. And let me tell you, you might think you know where this book is heading but you have no idea, none whatsoever.
Secondly, the characters jumped off the page and I really got to know them intimately, even the secondary characters that I usually don't care for at all. They were all dark people doing dark and messed up things and I'm always there for that in Sager's novels, because it doesn't get anymore human than that. It's like the author takes the worst traits of human beings possible and makes extraordinary novels out of them, that is a rare gift I haven't encountered in many novels before. This novel is almost just as character based as it is action based and I am here for it.
Finally, the writing didn't disappoint, as I didn't think it would. As much of a reading slump as I am in right now, this book was just what I needed to reignite my love of reading and a lot of it had to do with the effortless way that Riley Sager gets the story across by weaving beautifully orchestrated sentences together that don't overwhelm or underwhelm. They are the perfect combination and make for a killer novel, all the aspects coming together to paint a masterpiece of a story.
In conclusion, if you love thrillers and you haven't read this one, you are missing out! If you want to be transported through time and space and attend a summer camp, this novel is for you. I seriously can't wait to see what other things Riley Sager might have up his sleeve and have already preordered his latest novel that hasn't come out yet. I am a relatively new reader and yet I have read all of his books, that should tell you something because they are just that good.
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.
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.
So, when I saw that this book was available on Scribd, I jumped at the chance to read it, mostly because I loved the TV show so much and binged it in a matter of days. I was certain that I wouldn't like the book nearly as much as I love the show but I was wrong (as is very often the case) and ended up loving the book as much as I love the show. I do wish I would have read the book first, before watching the show, but either way I love both for their own unique aspects and traits.
To begin with, the characterization of this book was probably not like anything I have ever encountered in a book before. The main character, Joe, he just takes you on a rollercoaster ride inside his psyche and it's fascinating and absolutely dreadful at the same time. I found myself trying to understand him throughout the whole book but then I realized that he's definitely a different breed of psychopath and we're probably not meant to understand him completely. That didn't make the journey any less exhilarating though and I inhaled this book! Second person point-of-view is definitely my favorite thing and boy does this book deliver that!
The plot itself was not what I would call the typical stalker tale and there were twists and turns at every corner. Even though I watched the show before, I found myself taken aback by things that happened as if I was only reading it for the first time and didn't have any kind of idea what it was even about. The story just had so much juiciness to it, so much good stuff that it was beyond masterful in that aspect, no wonder they went ahead and made a show about it. In the show they did take out and add some stuff that was or wasn't in the book but that works well for the screen adaptation in my opinion.
The writing style was also very direct, and didn't beat around the bush. Since we were in Joe's head the whole time, this type of writing style would be the only one that would have made sense. And man, was it done beautifully! I gasped so many times all throughout the novel and couldn't put the book down because even though I was a bit nervous as to what would happen next, I also HAD to find out what that exactly was.
All in all, this book is going down as one of my favorite books of all time and I'm not saying that lightly. I would recommend it to anyone who likes psychological thrillers or even any reader who likes books that keep them on the edge of their seats. Especially in our modern age, this novel is in one word-invaluable.
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 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!
I brought this book so long ago and I am glad I finally randomly picked it from my wheel of all the physical books on my TBR shelf! It was so different from anything I have read recently and I loved being transferred to the way the world was back then, where women were considered second rate citizens and definitely didn't have the freedoms that men possessed. It definitely read like a YA novel but it had a lot of gruesome imagery, so don't pick it up if that's not something you can stomach. Also, the main character and even the supporting characters really stood out in this novel and I can't wait to get to the other books in the series.
To begin with, Stalking Jack the Ripper is about a serial killer who kills prostitutes and then removes some of their organs. Audrey Wadsworth, who has a passion for forensic medicine and studies cadavers in her uncle's laboratory, is on a mission to catch this killer before anymore women get gruesomely murdered or someone innocent takes the fall. I haven't read many books with a plot such as this and it felt fresh and creative to me. There were moments when it felt a little slow but the romantic relationship between the two main characters made that a lot more bearable. I thought that the ending more than made up for the slow pacing in the beginning though and even though I guessed who the killer was earlier on, there were other reveals that I didn't see coming. In general it was a very solid plot and kept me going.
Secondly, the characterization was my favorite thing about this novel. All the main characters and even the secondary ones were unique and quirky in their own ways and it made for a very enjoyable progression of their relationships with each other and the dialogue and banter between them had me cracking up at certain points throughout. The heroine is definitely one of my all-time favorites and I will be continuing her story in the future. I can't wait to see where her relationship with Thomas takes them and how it grows and progresses.
Finally, the writing style is simple and to the point, without feeling too oversimplified. It read like a Young Adult novel and I flew threw the chapters, so I didn't mind that one bit. I also thought that there was just enough description to set the scene and understand what was happening, without going overboard and feeling bored. Also the short chapters are my favorite, so this book also has that going for it. We really got a good look into what was going on in the characters' minds and this really painted a complete picture of who the character was as a whole, as an individual.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed my experience reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys serial killer type thrillers, even those who might not usually like YA ones. I say you should give this one a shot because it definitely packs a punch and might surprise you with its maturity, the way that it did me.
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book, I really didn't. I was hoping for a mystery and ended up getting a whole lot more. This book is so far out of anything I have ever read or usually ever read and yet I found out I really enjoyed it. I'm not one for horror or terror genre but in this case it was very thoroughly explained and shown, the need for said terror and horror. All in all, I was more then pleasantly surprised, I was elated.
To begin with, the story itself, it was one of those ‘I've never seen anything like it' plots and I loved it. I didn't have much to go off on, considering I don't usually read genres like this, but regardless it was a rollercoaster that I didn't want to get off of. I am definitely very grateful that I picked this book up off of the ‘Book of the Month Club'.
Next, the characters jumped up off the page and by the middle of the book, you felt like you'd really enjoy having a drink or two with them, that's how well we really got to know them. I appreciated that the characters were flawed in more ways then one, which made them so much more relatable, and therefore human. Sometimes characters get on my nerves a little when they try to be too much of a hero and spend too much time being perfect, well not this group of people. Raw and unfiltered, I really grew to like them a lot.
Further, the writing style was done really well and I didn't have many complaints about that either. It was precise and to the point without being too short and not giving us enough of a picture of what was going on. I was able to picture what was happening in the moment and the action was masterfully woven into the story, as were the slower parts. I could definitely see this being turned into a movie because it was playing in my head like a movie as I was reading it.
All in all, this story couldn't have been further from my usual cup of tea and yet I liked every single thing about it. I was afraid that it would be too gory for me (and it was gory), but the gore was done in a tasteful way and the mystery was explained, so the gore wasn't useless as in a lot of horror genre works. So it was definitely a mystery, mixed with a lot more action than I'm used to and adventure. I think anyone who likes any of those genres will really like this book and I definitely will be reading the second book in the series and more books by this author, after I recover from this book and the lasting impact it made on me. Sometimes it pays off to venture outside of your usual route and in this case, I hit the jackpot.
Ah, I wanted to love this book, I really did but I had too many issues with it to overlook them. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad at all, it's just not the best in my opinion. I love psychological thrillers and got this book from The Book of the Month Club a long time ago but it fell short at delivering a fascinating story.
To begin with, I could absolutely NOT get over the style that this book is written in. I find that it completely takes away from the experience and the whole plot since it prevents the book from flowing effortlessly and I found myself going back and rereading some parts to clarify, for example, what was happening to the character at the present moment and what the character was remembering from what happened to them before. I have never had such a hard time deciphering what was in the past and what was in the now.
In continuation, it took a good chunk of the book to get all the characters straight and the fact that the novel jumps around between perspectives quite a bit, I just couldn't get the different characters to stick. This is also probably partially due to the problematic characterization I found because even though the characters all had different lives and backgrounds, there wasn't anything that made them stand out to me and see them as potentially real people.
Furthermore, the plot is decent, perhaps the stronger aspect of the book and I found that I had no idea who the bad guy was and it really did take me by surprise at the end. However, because of the lack of the other aspects, the plot was overshadowed by them and still made it difficult for me to get through this book, even though it is on the rather shorter side.
However, even though the plot makes up for some of the other negatives, the way that the plot was executed is not ideal and whereas the first seventy percent of the book moved extremely slow, the ending was abrupt and too short, not giving us much. It's really a shame because the plot was really a rather good one, just not written in the best way, in my opinion.
All in all, this book was mediocre at best and even though the plot is somewhat decent, there were too many negatives to cancel or even balance it out. I would also be okay with trying another book by Aimee Molloy, however if all the other books are written in the same style I would not be able to get through them, it just irritates me too much. I would not recommend this book, there were just too many problems with the execution even though the plot is a pretty good one.
I really wasn't sure what to expect with this one. I saw it on one of the choices for The Book of the Month club and after reading the synopsis I decided to give it a chance. It's fascinating to me how becoming a reader has truly broadened my horizons because in the past I would never have read much of anything that wasn't strictly romance based. And even though I still love to read epic romances and all that, I can appreciate other genres, especially if they are written well.
From the moment I opened this book, I was NOT able to put it down. Who would have thought that a book that centers around the friendship of a group of boys would be so enjoyable to read? I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and the whole plot was so unpredictable that I seriously had no idea what really happened and who did it until it was revealed to me.
To start of, the layout of this book makes for a very intriguing read that doesn't bore at all. It bounces between the main character, Eddie, as an adult and back when he was a kid, growing up with his circle of friends and how they come about to discovering a murder. I love that little bit is revealed here and there, important stuff that doesn't seem all that important at the moment but in the grand scheme of things really helps build the book up into something extraordinary. The author was really phenomenal at using small details to make the story that much more thrilling and to just help it all come alive. Honestly, I think they should make this book into a movie because that would be one awesome movie I'd love to see.
In addition, the writing style of this book was really top notch in my opinion. Not too complicated and yet not overly simplistic, the sentences flowed very smoothly and didn't take away from the very well thought out plot. Sometimes, with certain books, I find I have to re-read certain sentences in order to get the very essence of what they are trying to convey but with this book, I had to do no such thing. On the contrary, I found myself reading at a pace I am not used to reading with, all because everything was precise and well written and directly to the point.
Further more, the characters definitely left their marks on me. They came alive right before my eyes and there was something about each and every one of them that I could relate to, even though they seemingly had nothing to do with me whatsoever. It's just that all of them had little interesting insights all throughout the book and the main character, Eddie, he was really good at pondering and thinking all those very deep thoughts. You could see how mature and observant he was, even from a young age and it was also evident that the events of the book transformed him, shaped him into a very unique adult.
All in all, this book is one of a kind. If someone like me, who usually needs a good amount of romance in her books loved it this much and had a hard time putting it down, lots more will definitely enjoy it just as much. From the plot, writing style, characterization and everything else, this book is really top notch and masterfully created. I'd recommend it to anyone!
This book CHILLED me to the bone, that's how shocking and deep and monumental it was for me! When I started reading this book, I almost stopped due to the mere topic that this book centers around: abduction, but I literally for the life of me could NOT PUT THE DANG THING DOWN! This book will probably give me nightmares for some months to come because as a young mom of two, I love my children more then anything and the whole storyline was heartbreaking but what I got out of this book is irreplaceable, a fresh perspective on life and just how short and unpredictable it is and how everything could change at any moment so we have to embrace the now.
First of, the storyline was gripping and very well thought out and developed. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested and the chapters were short at to the point, my favorite kinds. Also, in most instances the change in perspective between characters every chapter would annoy the crap out of me but in this book it made sense and fit very well with every other aspect of it. The book was divided into five terrifying parts and I felt as though I inhaled it reading it in a matter of days.
Further on, the characters were all very complicated and came alive within the story itself. And since the story jumped between perspectives of different characters, we got to see into the mind of most of them and got to experience their psyche, even the most terrifying one.
The writing style was impeccable, literally can't think of anything I would want to change. All the jumping around from perspective to perspective and from first person to second person didn't take away from the story at all, it only made it that much more exciting and memorable. This is something that in my opinion doesn't work in majority of books this book is an exception to the rule.
In conclusion, there is nothing about this book that I didn't like. It grabbed my heart from the moment I first started reading it and will not let go for as long as I live. From the storyline to the gripping characters, this book is beyond extraordinary and even though it was hard to read due to the topic, it was also impossible not to read it and feel as though it has impacted my life in every aspect of it. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery with a lot of twists and turns but also wants something deeper from their reads, something that can seep into their very soul and stay there.
Yes! I picked up Killman Creek because I was hoping that it would get me out of my reading slump after the last book was such a disappointment and I was so right! I could not have picked a better time to read this book because my love for reading and books has been restored and all's right with the world again. I am going to try pacing myself in reading the rest of the books because they are addictive and extraordinary and I want to saviour every page and chapter. Rachel Caine has created a masterpiece with this series and because she is such a fantastic writer and storyteller, I will be reading all of her previous works as well, even if they are not my usual genre. That is how amazing I find her work to be.
First of, the second installment in the Stillhouse Lake series follows Gwen, who is now juggling taking care of her two damaged kids and also trying to find her serial killer husband, who has escaped from prison and is now terrorizing her to no end. I seriously didn't think it was possible that anything could come close to being as good as the first book in the series but the second installment has done it. I am not a series type of person but I am not fully invested in the story and the characters and I will not be able to hold off reading the rest of them for a long time whatsoever. The plot was genius and I couldn't wait to see where the story would take us and it blew me out of the water. I was on the rollercoaster holding on for dear life and it was exhilarating and horrifying all at the same time and an experience like no other. It's even hard to put this book into words, you just have to experience it for yourself.
Secondly, the characterization was otherworldly. The characters are far from perfect and they are damaged beyond repair and yet they keep fighting on, however they possibly can. There are a lot of truths in between the pages of this book about the human species and all the ways in which we differ as individuals and are also very much alike. Gwen is probably one of my favorite heroines in all the books I have ever read because she is the embodiment of perseverance and one kickass chick. I aspire to be more like her and she has definitely affected me in multiple ways for the better.
Thirdly, the writing style is my absolute favorite. It's precise and to the point and I don't find myself having to reread paragraphs for clarification like I sometimes do with other works. It flows so smoothly and paints a vivid picture in what is happening with just enough detail to get the complete picture of it. Her writing style is just a joy and I raced through this book just as I thought I would. Talk about all the elements working together to create one flawless and unforgettable work.
In conclusion, this series is by far my favorite thriller series of all time. I am so glad I gave these books a chance because they are unlike anything I have read before. Not only do they keep you on the edge of your seat but the second one in the series somehow was more exhilarating in my opinion and that is no small feat. I would recommend this book to anyone who would listen and it's a must read in my book that's for sure. If you don't check it out, you are missing out definitely. This book is everything a fantastic thriller should be.
I picked up this book totally on a whim because it was gifted to me during a recent RAOK (Random Act of Kindness giveaway) and it was calling my name after I finished my last read, which was extremely disappointing and which I had the hardest time getting through. Some people were saying that they liked this one and it was a shorter read so I decided to give this a try and am so glad I did! It was everything I needed to get my reading mojo back- action, fast pace, quickly flowing writing...etc. Teresa Driscoll is not an author I have heard much about before, even on Bookstagram, and after this book I will definitely be checking out all her other books because this one was a winner in my eyes!
To begin with, I Am Watching You is about a woman, Ella, who witnesses an exchange between two young girls and two boys who just got out of prison on a train and even though she is concerned, she decides not to inform anyone or go to the police because she reasons that it's not business. However, when one of the young girls goes missing, she is forced to reevaluate her decision and try to find out the truth. I really liked this plot, it wasn't the most unique premise but it was enacted beautifully and moved at a very nice pace, so I was not bored and couldn't stop reading. This is a great fast-paced, quick and exhilarating thriller and if that's what you're looking for I don't think you will be disappointed.
Further on, the characterization was not bad by any means. We got a good look into the witness', Ella's, psyche and her love for running her own flower shop and making flower arrangements really came through loud and clear. The other characters were also shown deeply but not as deeply as Ella. It's usually hard to get a sense of who the characters are as people in quick, fast paced thrillers so I was pleasantly surprised. They didn't quite jump of the page but I was very curious to find out what would happen to them and the route their lives would take. Very nice!
Finally, the writing style was one I was able to enjoy once I got used to it and got into the book a little bit. It's not my usual writing style of preference but I came to really like it. That is definitely partially why I am excited to check out Driscoll's other books. The writing flowed really well and got across what was happening without being too oversimplified or too lengthy. Some of the phrases and terms used were not ones I was familiar with but it was easy to understand what was being talked about in the context of the story. Definitely a very unique yet enjoyable style!
In conclusion, this book took me pleasantly by surprise even though I had no idea what to expect whatsoever going into it. I would recommend this to all of my thriller lovers who are looking for a quick read that is easy to get into and follow through to the end. Would definitely recommend, can't beat a simply stable and good thriller!
I assumed this book wasn't my cup of tea. I assumed I would have a hard time getting through it. I assumed it was going to be too out there and unrelatable for me. Well, I'll be the first to admit I was WRONG! This book was so much more than I could have ever imagined and Stephen King challenges, once again, everything I have ever thought I knew about humans and how we do life. It's his extraordinary skill to convey meaningful truths about life and the human psyche through his works which really makes him one of my all time favorite authors, because not many authors can pull it off in such a fantasy-based genre.
I will be honest, when I first picked this book up, I didn't know what to expect. I have chosen it years ago from The Book of the Month club because I liked the cover and the author was so famous and highly regarded. I usually prefer reading more realistic fiction but I decided to give this nightmare-like novel a try because I was curious and wanted to expand my horizons when it came to books. Plus, I was slightly intimidated by the length of this book, unsure if I'd ever be able to get through it.
Well, the fact that I got through it in ten days and had a hard time putting it down should tell you everything you need to know! I was literally reading it late into the night and during the kids' naptime, guess I just really needed to know what was going to happen. And I mean, what a unique and masterfully done plot! Not many people can take something out of their nightmares and construct it into a meaningful story with a beginning, middle and an end but Kind did it perfectly. No detail was overlooked and the plot moved with such effortless speed, not too rushed, not too slow. Things were revealed in their right times and everything was perfectly woven together to deliver a powerful novel about the human race.
I also really liked the different perspectives of all the characters in the story and how we got a little blurb for each of them in all the various situations and their perceptions of the events as they transpired. I found myself being able to relate even to the worst characters, the ones with the seemingly worst souls and least regard for other human beings. It made me realize that all human beings are flawed, each in their own way, it just comes out differently in every individual.
Further, I think Stephen King is the only writer I know that can expand on seemingly pointless details but make them into something that conveys something so significant about the different characters and to the plot as a whole. The writing flowed smoothly and it was easy to get lost in the world that Stephen King had created from his imagination.
I am really not one for fantasy based fiction but for Stephen King I can make an exception. Not only will I continue reading all his other work, but I have no doubt that his books will continue to move me and change me for the better, reminding me of important truths and life lessons I might have forgotten or withdrawn from. The way that he writes, it's easy to imagine his seemingly unbelievable world and even be transported into them. I would, without any hesitation, recommend this book to anyone who wants to be moved beyond anything they could even fathom, from a single book. Even if you think that fantasy is not your cup of tea, give this book a chance, you won't be disappointed!
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.
Originally, I am not sure how exactly I stumbled across 13 Reasons Why, I just remember there was a lot of talk around the show coming out and after deciding to give it a shot, I gotta say, I wasn't all that disappointed. I thought the show was done really well and then I saw the book on sale at the store and decided to give it a shot even though Young Adult is not really my thing when it comes to book genres. In this instance I would prefer the show to the book, just because the show was more profound and seemed to dig into all these issues much deeper, whereas the book merely touched the surface. Still, the book was not bad and I don't regret reading it one bit.
To begin with, 13 Reasons Why is about a girl in high school, named Hannah Baker, who commits suicide after a lot of things transpire to push her over the edge and before she dies she records a series of audiotapes explaining why she did it and who was involved in making her feel like she had no other way out. I think the plot is very unique and I haven't really read anything like it before so it definitely stands out and the fact that it's about such a tough but important issue makes it all the more significant and worth a read. I think the high school me would have benefited from this book back in the day, when I had a tough time and life felt like it would never get better. However, being a lot older then I was back than, I kind of found that I wanted more from the book and I really wanted the issues to have been looked into even deeper but I guess that's where the YA aspect of it comes into play.
Further on, the characterization is good but just not enough. It seems that the book is rather short and even though I love a quick read, I really think the author could have dug deeper into all the flawed and sinful characters of this book. Again, it really is my fault because I am obviously not the targeted audience here and I usually tend to find Young Adult novels too primitive and shallow for my liking. I prefer my books to really.....go there...all the way there and in that aspect this book falls flat.
Finally, the writing style was like a breath of fresh air and it really fit with how quick of a read this really was. I didn't have any issues understanding what was happening and didn't find that I had to go back and reread any sections whatsoever. But with it being YA that was expected really. As with everything else in this book, it wasn't bad by any means, it just wasn't amazing.
In conclusion, I would recommend this to people who aren't triggered very easily because this book contains a lot of disturbing triggers, so it's not for the faint of heart. If you don't get triggered easily, I think the people who would enjoy this book the most would be young adults, teenagers. Those are also the people whom it would benefit the most, in my opinion. It could definitely help opening up ways into tough conversations that are not had enough.
On the surface this books has it all: suspense, a great/captivating plot, developed characters....etc. But even with that, something was missing a little bit for me. I can't quite put my finger on it but that's the only reason I decided to give this book four stars instead of five. It might also have something to do with this being my first book in quite a while since having my second child over a year ago. I have finally started doing things I enjoy again and even though I can't give all my time to reading novels (even though I would love to be able to do that), I have managed to find at least half and hour each day.
To begin with, I decided to restart this book again since I was not able to finish it last time because I gave birth and then life got really busy and chaotic. The plot was totally up my alley, a psychological thriller full of twists and turns that, for the most part, kept me on the edge of my seat and made me want to keep reading. However, it was a bit confusing at first because of the way the book was organized since it switches between the main heroine of the book and also to the book that she is writing since she herself is a fictional writer. It took a little bit to get the characters straight in my head but once I got the hang of that, everything else seemed to flow smoothly. Definite props for creativity.
Even though the plot was twisty and messed up (just how I like them), at times it seemed to drag when I felt it didn't need to. Sometimes it would slow down and then all of a sudden take off and pick up at a very quick pace. I think for that reason, I can't get myself to give this book five out of five stars, the flow was just not doing it for me.
The characters were also well thought out and written but I couldn't quite picture them out in the real world, among other human beings. I guess the overall sense of who they were was definitely in there but did not really penetrate further down, at least not for me. The main heroine had a lot going on in her psyche and I definitely felt for her but not enough to actually relate and feel extreme sympathy towards her and what she was going through. I guess I just prefer all the feelings, Every. Single. One. Of. Them.
The style of the writing was precise and to the point, even though at times it got a little bit confusing trying to picture the exact action in the book that I was reading. In certain places I could have used a little more to paint the exact picture for me as it was happening. All in all, quite an easy and quick read.
In summary, although this book checks most of my boxes in terms of what I am looking for in a good, entertaining read, it doesn't go above and beyond and manages to deliver a pretty good read but not enough of a good read to have me obsess over it for months to come. All in all, not bad but not outstanding.
I have one word- WOW. There is nothing else that can adequately illustrate what I am feeling right now. When I picked this book up at my local supermarket, I didn't think much of it and haven't even been able to get into the show whatsoever. However, upon having finally finished reading it, I am moved beyond anything I could have imagined from this book. It has opened my eyes in more ways than one and will forever be one of my favorite books of all time.
To begin with, the book follows a rather unique writing pattern. We go from the peak of the climax to the very beginning of when things first started to slowly transpire and started building up to the main event. Every chapter draws us closer to the truth and a little is revealed, or seemingly little things anyways. Those little things really end up being a very big part of the complete and whole picture. What a unique look into the psyche of human beings and the way that our minds perceive events and then the whole process that our minds undergo transforming those events into thoughts, twisting and totally changing them as we go. I also really liked how after every chapter and being given one more important part of the story, there was the dialogue that the detective was having with the people involved in the crime and who were on the scene at the time of the crime. I have never seen this being done in books before and it definitely stood out to me.
In addition, the writing style was by far my favorite type. It was precise and to the point without being too drawn out or too short. It was a joy to read because the chapters were also not too long and too short and because of that the story moved at a very nice pace, without being too rushed or being stretched out too long. I am not one to reread books ever but I might just have to reread this one in the future because it was that good.
Further on, the characters were my favorite part of the whole book because they all had their little intricacies and I loved how far inside their minds we were able to go. We really found out what made them tick and it really made for memorable characters that jumped out at me as I read through the story.
All in all, this book is one of a kind. I am not one for “momma drama” type stories but this was so much more than that. There were really complicated issues addressed in this book as well but in a very slightly dark humor kind of way. And the crime at the center of the story just really kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't stop reading until I got all the answers and they all took me by surprise.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good crime mystery and not to get discouraged by the seemingly useless momma drama in the very beginning because it all ties in perfectly at the end and makes sense. What a fantastic read!
I honestly don't even know where to start with this book. The premise was so promising, right up my alley, seemingly my particular cup of tea....but unfortunately that was not the case with this book. I feel like at this point I've read so many thriller/mysteries, that I am getting a lot more critical of them and when a book does exactly what all the other ones do and even not as well, I just can't give it four or five stars. I actually debated the whole time I was reading this novel whether to give it four or five stars but ultimately I couldn't lie to myself, this book just didn't do it for me. In my opinion it was a mess, and not even a hot mess at that.
To begin with, Lie to Me is about a husband, named Ethan Montclair, who wakes up one day to find that his wife Sutton has disappeared, leaving nothing but a cryptic note saying not to look for her. As more time passes, Ethan begins to question whether Sutton left of her own accord or if she was forced in some way and is in trouble. I thought this plot was okay, it's nothing I haven't seen before in terms of the trope but the execution was just not to my standards. Even the most overdone tropes, if done right, can be extraordinary and this one certainly wasn't. I also thought that the pacing in this book was horrendous, I've never had such issue with that before in a thriller, it's the main reason it took me so long to finish it. The first 65% of the book stretched on endlessly and we didn't get anything really concrete to point us in the right direction and give us any idea of what might have happened to her and the last 35% gave me whiplash because things started happening every other page and I couldn't keep up with all the reveals. I also think this book could have been a lot shorter for that reason as well.
Further on, the characterization was above average in this story. I thought that the characters had good, solid backgrounds and I enjoyed finding out why they were the way that they were but since most of that was revealed at the very end of the book, I was already too frustrated and bored with the majority of the book to really care and it didn't make much of an impact on me in terms of raising my interest levels. I did enjoy the darkness of these characters and appreciated being able to peal back the layers, one at a time, because these people were complicated as heck. I'd say this is where the book shines the most.
Finally, Ellison's writing style is mediocre at best. I found that I didn't quite vibe with it and it felt choppy and confusing at times. That doesn't mean that I won't give any other one of her books a chance, I'm just not really in a hurry to do so at the moment.
In conclusion, this book was okay. If you're a newbie to the thriller genre and want to start nice and slow and not get overly flabbergasted right off the bat, you might enjoy this book. Otherwise, I'd say steer clear because there are tons of other domestic thrillers out there, that are done a lot better.
I have absolutely no words to describe what I am feeling right now because....wow! This book had taken everything out of me and wrung me dry, I would have probably read through the entire night if it had come to that but thankfully it didn't. All I can say is that I have found my new favorite thriller series, all thanks to my good friend from bookstagram. If it hadn't been for her I probably would not have chosen to read this book and now I feel the need to read all the other books in the series. It was so terrific I found myself stress eating and drank a whole bottle of champagne to calm my nerves a bit because it was that exhilarating and I do not remember the last time a book kept me on the edge of my seat to this extent. I mean, I was holding my breath for most of it.
The first book in this series is about a woman named Gwen, who is trying to escape her past life as the wife of a serial killer even though people still think that she was helping him all along. Frustrated and wanting to put her psychopath ex-husband behind her, she keeps running, her kids in tow, and the more she yearns for a normal life, the more she realizes that it's harder to come by then she'd ever even thought. The plot was otherworldly. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it initially but I got drawn into the story so quickly and then the pages rushed by and I was finished with it. I have never read a thriller with such a unique plot and yet it was done so masterfully that it was probably the perfect thriller in my eyes. I just couldn't get enough and even though I wanted to know what happens I had to hold my breath because my heart was beating out of my chest all the way through.
Further on, the characterization is unlike anything I've ever encountered in a thriller/suspense novel and the characters grew on me so much that I will undoubtedly be picking up the rest of the books in the series shortly, that's just how much I need to know what the character's fates are ultimately. I loved the relationships they also formed with each other and it made them even more real to me because I didn't just get to see them as they are independently but as they are in relation to each other. If any of them dies or gets hurt in the other books to come next, I don't know how I will handle that. Probably not that well because I want their ultimate happiness and I want to see them achieve it.
Thirdly, the writing style is top notch. It's not as simple as I'm used to reading in thrillers recently but even though the sophisticated factor has been turned up a notch, I found that didn't hinder in me getting through the book whatsoever. If anything, it might have made it even harder to stop reading and made it all the more addictive to me as a reader. I already have the other books in the series ordered and I can't wait to read them and find out what happens to the heroine next.
In conclusion, this book was unlike anything i've ever read before and I felt as if I was holding my breath the whole time. It kept me glued to my seat and I couldn't put it down even if it meant reading through the entire night. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense and thrillers and wants to be taken for a thrill ride that will leave their heart beating fast for a long time after the book has actually ended. It is without a doubt my favorite thriller series of all time and I think everyone should read this book, you won't regret it!
Wow, wow, wow, WOW! Finally, a book that gave me exactly what I wanted and needed- which is practically everything. This book packs a serious punch of all the ingredients that I personally need in order to make it impossible for me to put the book down. There were so many twists and turns, I literally had no idea what to even think or who to suspect whatsoever. In that sense, this book reminds me of Gone Girl, except in that one I was completely shocked somewhere closer to the middle of the book and in Final Girls it was more towards the very end.
This is my third book from Book of the Month Club and I think they finally got it right or maybe I just spent more time reading the plots before deciding which book to chose. I honestly don't even know how I'm going to put my love for this book into words but I know I have to try.
Let's begin with the way the chapters were laid out- I loved going between Quincy's present day life and then having a small chapter that focused on what actually happened at Pine Cottage all those years ago and the drama that led up to the murder rampage. Sure, not every chapter was action packed but even the Pine Cottage drama chapters were necessary to the book as a whole because they really gave us an in-depth look into the complex relationships between the unlucky characters who were at Pine Cottage when the murders happened. This gave me a chance to bond with all the characters, even the minor ones.
And don't get me started on the main characters- Quincy, Coop, Sam, Jeff- these characters grabbed at my quickly beating heart and refused to let go. I loved that all of them had memorable flaws that in reality all human beings undoubtedly possess. It also made them all so much more relatable, even the characters who were seemingly really “out there” and really peculiar human beings.
Moving on, the writing was done in a truly masterful way with the flow moving effortlessly and not lagging behind on something. I loved that the sentences were complex and yet didn't bore or go into too much unnecessary detail. The story itself kept up a good pace and the chapters were on the shorter side which I definitely prefer because it made me keep reading, not wanting to put the book down for the life of me. And quite frankly, that's saying a lot, considering the fact that I'm 7 months pregnant at the moment and have to keep up with a toddler who's turning two in less than a week. Reading has become a kind of me time, a quiet moment when I don't have to clean or change poopy diapers but just get to dive head first into someone else's life. This is seriously why I was so happy to get a book that was exactly my cup of tea.
Also, the term “final girls” was something very new to me and for this reason I am very impressed that this book was also able to teach me something new and to open my eyes to something I've never given much thought about before. Sager is truly innovative in that aspect as well.
As I've mentioned before, in previous reviews, I love me a twisted book- the more twisted the better and Final Girls by Riley Sager delivered big time. Overall, this book is for anyone who appreciates things that are outside the box, the types of books that don't come with a plot that's perfectly wrapped in a nice little bow with everything laid out neatly and in a logical way that you already see coming a mile away. If you want a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and give you surprise after surprise that you didn't see coming at all, then this book is for you. Definitely one of my favorite books of all time!
There is only one word I can come up with to describe this book- mesmerizing! It grabbed me by the heart and enchanted me in every way possible! I thought this read was going to be mainly romance but it had everything- romance, mystery, suspense....you name it! I have literally never read a book that had everything I have ever wanted in one single novel and this book did just that! Safe to say I will be reading Reid's other books, sooner rather than later because this one was by far one of the best I have ever read and I don't say that lightly!
To begin with, truthfully I wasn't completely in love with this book until closer to the very end of the novel. The reason for this was because I wanted to dislike the main character Evelyn so much, I really did, but after going on her whole life journey I couldn't deny the fact that she was clearly and very plainly relatable to anyone. All of her life trials, seeing how they changed her into the person she became as a result, they made you hate and love her at the same time. Nothing was simple about this heroine and she's as complicated as they come and yet I don't think I've related to a character more in a very long time. All the characterization, for both of the main heroines was superb and I found myself sad when the story ended because it was like having to leave two close friends after you find out everything about them and what made they who they are in the first place.
Further on, I loved how the book was written with Evelyn, at the very end of her life, telling her life story to Monique, even the bad parts, I think that made for the most exciting read because it revealed a little bit at a time and kept me interested to find out what really makes her tick and how she got to be where she did in life. Also, this is where the suspense came in, something I did not expect from this novel whatsoever, because there were countless mysteries tied into the plot and we got some answers with almost each chapter, which made it hard to put the book down and lose interest. I think this book would make for a very good movie or even a show.
Also, the writing style was top-notch, precise and to the point without being too over simplified, where important details are sacrificed. The chapters were the perfect length and the content in each chapter was just what it should be, what a masterpiece. I really can't say enough good things about this book because it was exceptional.
All in all, this book was something otherworldly, in the best way. It has something for everyone, that you can be certain off and even all the key themes and messages about life are masterfully interwoven to make a tale that will undoubtedly remain for a long time to mesmerize future readers and make massive impressions on them!