Alice Archer
I am spilt down the middle about this book. I found the first half of the storyline completely fascinating, however towards the end of the second half and the actual end its self was rather disappointing as I found it quite predictable. As a result I felt the ending lacked compared to the actual set up. I don't know whether the ending was so disappointing to me becuase I had heard so much hype about how excellent the WHOLE thing was and raised my expectations very high. Then when I got to read the book it overall didn't live up to my high expectations and in my opinion I can never enjoy things that are too predictable. Although in saying that characters in this book never bored me and really made the whole experience of reading this book slighty more enjoyable.
5/5 - Can easily see why this is considered a classic! Super eerie set up throughout as you are getting to the conclusion. The feeling of knowing something isn't quite right with everyone around you but not knowing what is going on made for an uncomfortable read. I knew very little about this book going into it, and I feel that really added to the overall creepy feel as perhaps it might have gotten slow in places waiting for the plot to move along if you knew what was coming at the end.
I was really surprised about the writing style, I always have classics pinned down as super hard and/or laborious reads for the most part, but Rosemary's Baby couldn't be further away from that. Was incredibly easy too read and flew through in about a day.
5/5 - One of Agatha Christie's best, if not her best! Would recommend to absolutely everyone, very clever and creepy book that will leave you scratching your head throughout to who the culprit is. Genius execution and conclusion, no surprise to why this is one of the most popular books in the world.
5/5 - Extremely disturbing novel about Lori's obsession with a serial killer and how far she will go in order to prove her love for him. This book made me feel numb through and through, Lori is one of the most unlikeable and truly nasty characters that I have come across, there was nothing redeemable about her. Even though I found this book challenging to get through due to some of it's subject matters I would was unable to put it down, I needed to know how it ended and how Lori's story was going to play out. Even though by a certain point you can perhaps see how this book is going to end, it does not make the ending any it any less satisfying when novel concludes.
4.5/5 - Fantastic mystery thiller novel with unsettling horror themes throughout! This book had me hooked from start to finish as you work your way through the clues with the main characters.
Although I'm docking it 0.5 of a star as I feel the author perhaps relied on considences and people just willing to hand the main investigators information a little too much for my liking, however this did not take away from the overall story.
Overall this book is a gripping, unsettling and creepy read and for someone who isn't really seen in the book for the majority, Cordova has chilling presence the entire way through. I will be thinking about the ending for while to come. I highly recommend!
5/5 - Damn this was so good, I can see this being one the best books I will read this year! Everything about Annihilation should have meant that I hated it, but some how it just worked so well for me.
The majority of aspects in this book are super vague, which I can see a lot of people disliking, however I feel this really added to the overall plotline making this idea of the “unknown” even more prevalent.
I found Area X super eerie and the idea of being alone in there absolutely sent shivers down my spine. Being inside the biologist's head for the entirety I found extremely fasicinating and her lack of realiablity made the plotline so much more interesting adding a further layer of depth to what was going on.
Overall, I normally find SciFi books just not my cup of tea, however this couldn't be further from how I felt about Annihilation and I really look forward to reading the rest in the series!
4.5/5 - I liked this so much that what I was expecting!
I didn't really know anything about this book going into it, apart from that the main character needed to marry a titled gentleman to inherit a cottage. So the events 30% of the way through the book (which is mentioned in the blurb) took me by surprise and really added to the plot line. I thought I knew where this was going but I was pleasantly surprised to see I was wrong.
Docking 0.5 of a star because I did find the first part a bit slow. However, once it picked up pace it stayed like that for the rest of the book.
The love story between Kathryn and Griff was very sweet and romantic, warmed my heart.
Lorraine Heath comes through as per usual!
3.5/5 - Light hearted and fun short story collection, Tommy and Tuppence are always a delight on the page. Does this collection of short stories have some of Agatha Christie's most intricate plot lines? No. Are they a cozy read? Yes!
4.5/5 - Clever and slightly disturbing mystery about affection and possession gone too far. Miss Marple at one of her finest, although doesn't appear in it too often!
I should start by saying I do not normally read chick lit, at all! However this one was brought to my attention by a family member raving about it one evening, explaining how gut clenchingly sad it was. She was right. I mostly used to reading mystery novels so was pleasantly surprised to find the whole story of this book was rather beautiful and usual, I really enjoyed reading this book! However, do not go into this reading this book expecting a typical love story where everything is plain sailing, this book tackels some controversial issues which can be found to be rather upsetting. Make sure you have a box tissues on hand. However I still thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend this to anyone just looking for something a little bit different to read.
5/5 - A brief but incredibly witty account of England's Kings and Queens up until the Elizabethean era. Very well balanced throughout between comedic and factual moments, made some of the more dry aspects of history entertaining! I'm hoping David Mitchell will continue this hilarious account of the rest of the monarchy until present day.
