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anu912's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
wanderingsparrow07's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Although Malcolm Mercer is at the center of the story, this book is told from two POVs - Kira's and Joanna's. These women talk about their dreams and how those dreams will become a reality with this show and yet in every other thought, there lives Malcolm, controlling everything somehow without truly having a voice in the narrative.
This story was intense and nerve-wracking and unlike any thriller I've read before. Full of feminine rage, these two women feel like they've put in their dues and it's time the world paid up. It was all such a mindf*ck and I'm still thinking about that final scene. What a ride.
TW: violence, injury detail, alcohol consumption, domestic abuse, sexual content, alcohol abuse, blood, murder; mentions infidelity, pregnancy, vomiting, adult/minor relationship, miscarriage, attempted suicide
This story was intense and nerve-wracking and unlike any thriller I've read before. Full of feminine rage, these two women feel like they've put in their dues and it's time the world paid up. It was all such a mindf*ck and I'm still thinking about that final scene. What a ride.
TW: violence, injury detail, alcohol consumption, domestic abuse, sexual content, alcohol abuse, blood, murder; mentions infidelity, pregnancy, vomiting, adult/minor relationship, miscarriage, attempted suicide
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, and Alcoholism
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
kyleesapp's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
janagaton's review against another edition
3.0
my instincts kept telling me to give this 2 stars, but upon further reflection, the suspense was done really well and all the commentary about how manipulative someone could be if you let them was also well done. but if you're looking for a fast-paced thriller with a bunch of twists and turns and action scenes, this is NOT the one for you. you literally have to wait til the very last two pages for the biggest thing to happen. otherwise it's mostly drama behind curtains and this one little reveal about halfway through the book.
if the chapters weren't so short & it were written by an author ive never read from before, i would've probably hated this lol. i hate books set in chicago & im also not a fan of theatre-centric books. but the writing style earned that 3 from me.
if the chapters weren't so short & it were written by an author ive never read from before, i would've probably hated this lol. i hate books set in chicago & im also not a fan of theatre-centric books. but the writing style earned that 3 from me.
ordinarypickle's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Unlikable characters, wtf ending, wow what a waste of time.
thephdivabooks's review against another edition
5.0
Tantalizing, twisted, and dark—Layne Fargon’s debut novel Temper is without a doubt one of my favorite reads on 2019, and it remains so on a reread a year later!
I remember the first time I read this, and as I was reading on a break at work on my favorite nook on the 67th floor and I could see angry storm clouds brewing over Lake Michigan. There is something sexy and terrifying about a summer storm in Chicago—the steely gray lake, the furious black clouds, and the wind billowing through, inviting you to open your mouth for a moment and just inhale that intoxicating moment. It is truly the setting I envision now as I reflect on Temper. It is the perfect setting, one our leading male Malcolm would find poetic, perfect, and dangerous. Much like how I find this book!
Struggling actress Kira Rascher is looking for her break in the theater scene in Chicago. Her best friend (with benefits) and roommate Spence is a great support system and outlet for her, but she is struggling. When she lands a role starring opposite the enigmatic and dangerous Malcolm Mercer, she knows it is all coming together for her.
Malcolm has quite the reputation with his leading ladies, but he also has an irrefutable reputation for excellence in the Chicago theater scene, running a theater company and occasionally acting with his long-time partner and friend, Joanna Cuyler. Malcom goes to any lengths necessary to push his actors to their full potential. And an open subject like Kira is ready and willing to go to her darkest moments to pull out the performance of a lifetime.
But Joanna sees Kira as a threat. The deeper down the rabbit hole Kira goes, the more dangerous it becomes. And as opening night draws near, Kira is no longer sure if she is the star of the show or the star of the drama unfolding offstage.
Layne Fargo has a way of writing that is positively tantalizing. I found several times while reading that I forgot to breathe I was so invested in the story. This is a dark fantasy of a psychological thriller. It made me feel desperate and raw, and so invested. I couldn’t put this book down!
This is such a unique book, and as a Chicago gal myself I was so loving the setting and that Layne Fargo herself lives here and knows this city so well. There is a reason that Chicago is the inspiration for Gothic City… it is all things dark, beautiful, and mesmerizing. I felt often that the atmosphere of the city on a stormy day like the one I described seeped through Fargo into the pages of this book. I felt like I was living it myself while reading it. Perfection!
Thank you to Layne Fargo and Gallery Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.
I remember the first time I read this, and as I was reading on a break at work on my favorite nook on the 67th floor and I could see angry storm clouds brewing over Lake Michigan. There is something sexy and terrifying about a summer storm in Chicago—the steely gray lake, the furious black clouds, and the wind billowing through, inviting you to open your mouth for a moment and just inhale that intoxicating moment. It is truly the setting I envision now as I reflect on Temper. It is the perfect setting, one our leading male Malcolm would find poetic, perfect, and dangerous. Much like how I find this book!
Struggling actress Kira Rascher is looking for her break in the theater scene in Chicago. Her best friend (with benefits) and roommate Spence is a great support system and outlet for her, but she is struggling. When she lands a role starring opposite the enigmatic and dangerous Malcolm Mercer, she knows it is all coming together for her.
Malcolm has quite the reputation with his leading ladies, but he also has an irrefutable reputation for excellence in the Chicago theater scene, running a theater company and occasionally acting with his long-time partner and friend, Joanna Cuyler. Malcom goes to any lengths necessary to push his actors to their full potential. And an open subject like Kira is ready and willing to go to her darkest moments to pull out the performance of a lifetime.
But Joanna sees Kira as a threat. The deeper down the rabbit hole Kira goes, the more dangerous it becomes. And as opening night draws near, Kira is no longer sure if she is the star of the show or the star of the drama unfolding offstage.
Layne Fargo has a way of writing that is positively tantalizing. I found several times while reading that I forgot to breathe I was so invested in the story. This is a dark fantasy of a psychological thriller. It made me feel desperate and raw, and so invested. I couldn’t put this book down!
This is such a unique book, and as a Chicago gal myself I was so loving the setting and that Layne Fargo herself lives here and knows this city so well. There is a reason that Chicago is the inspiration for Gothic City… it is all things dark, beautiful, and mesmerizing. I felt often that the atmosphere of the city on a stormy day like the one I described seeped through Fargo into the pages of this book. I felt like I was living it myself while reading it. Perfection!
Thank you to Layne Fargo and Gallery Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.