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thegirlwhoneedbooks2023's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
hannahmaybookreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Title: The Last Snow
Author: Stina Jackson
Pub: Corvus Books
Rating: 4/5
A huge thank you to the author, Random Things Tours and Corvus Books for letting me be part of the blog tour!
Synopsis:
It is early spring in Odesmark, a small village in Sweden that has been abandoned by many inhibitants. Liv Bjornlund is one remaining villager, living in a derelict house with her teenage son and ageing father. The family are well known for being peculiar and many gossip behind their backs. They question why Liv has stayed with her controlling father for so long and whether it is true that Vidar is sitting on a small fortune. It is evident thought, that the old man’s decisions have left him with many enemies, no one ever forgets in Odesmark. Someone wants their revenge, to take back what was there, they will stop at nothing to make this happen, whoever tries to stand in their way.
Review:
I was very excited for this read, the description hooked me in straight away, leaving me in suspense, I had to read this one to uncover its secrets. The reviews looked very promising and it felt like this would be the perfect read for the cold winter nights that we’ve been experiencing at the moment.
I was drawn in straight away, after reading the first chapter I was left wanting more. I loved how I could visualise everything the author wrote and she did a fantastic job at setting the scene. The story jumps from present day to events in the past and this was clear to follow and didn’t disrupt the flow of the story.
Instantly I could feel Liv’s heaviness and at times I felt myself getting frustrated for her. I also really felt for the character Liam, despite me not agreeing with some of his choices, I could sense his feeling of entrapment. This book made you feel many things, I could feel the darkness of the controlling characters and some really made my skin crawl such as Gabriel. The author does a fantastic job at creating characters for the reader to hate.
I genuinely felt the story line and plot really intriguing and I struggled to put the read back down once I had started. I knew the story was building up to something, I just couldn’t put my finger on what. I even like how the author’s writing has you questioning your judge of character and you begin to doubt yourself, especially when it comes down to Vidar.
The twists and turns throughout keep you hooked and keep you on your toes. I got very close to the end before I could work out the clever plot and I love it when you have a book you struggle to call what will happen. I was very satisfied with the ending too, it left me with a sense of contentment after such a tense read.
The descriptions were beautifully written, the characters were interesting, the read was atmospheric and I was left in suspense throughout. I really enjoyed this read!
Author: Stina Jackson
Pub: Corvus Books
Rating: 4/5
A huge thank you to the author, Random Things Tours and Corvus Books for letting me be part of the blog tour!
Synopsis:
It is early spring in Odesmark, a small village in Sweden that has been abandoned by many inhibitants. Liv Bjornlund is one remaining villager, living in a derelict house with her teenage son and ageing father. The family are well known for being peculiar and many gossip behind their backs. They question why Liv has stayed with her controlling father for so long and whether it is true that Vidar is sitting on a small fortune. It is evident thought, that the old man’s decisions have left him with many enemies, no one ever forgets in Odesmark. Someone wants their revenge, to take back what was there, they will stop at nothing to make this happen, whoever tries to stand in their way.
Review:
I was very excited for this read, the description hooked me in straight away, leaving me in suspense, I had to read this one to uncover its secrets. The reviews looked very promising and it felt like this would be the perfect read for the cold winter nights that we’ve been experiencing at the moment.
I was drawn in straight away, after reading the first chapter I was left wanting more. I loved how I could visualise everything the author wrote and she did a fantastic job at setting the scene. The story jumps from present day to events in the past and this was clear to follow and didn’t disrupt the flow of the story.
Instantly I could feel Liv’s heaviness and at times I felt myself getting frustrated for her. I also really felt for the character Liam, despite me not agreeing with some of his choices, I could sense his feeling of entrapment. This book made you feel many things, I could feel the darkness of the controlling characters and some really made my skin crawl such as Gabriel. The author does a fantastic job at creating characters for the reader to hate.
I genuinely felt the story line and plot really intriguing and I struggled to put the read back down once I had started. I knew the story was building up to something, I just couldn’t put my finger on what. I even like how the author’s writing has you questioning your judge of character and you begin to doubt yourself, especially when it comes down to Vidar.
The twists and turns throughout keep you hooked and keep you on your toes. I got very close to the end before I could work out the clever plot and I love it when you have a book you struggle to call what will happen. I was very satisfied with the ending too, it left me with a sense of contentment after such a tense read.
The descriptions were beautifully written, the characters were interesting, the read was atmospheric and I was left in suspense throughout. I really enjoyed this read!
bookswithemily's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed reading this book about Liv and her strange family. It was interesting to read about her life and how she lives. Vidar was probably the most disliked character in this book because of the way he took Liv’s freedom from her. She is determined not to be like that with her son Simon. However, living on a farm in the middle of nowhere means she is worried that he doesn’t have any friends. This is another downside of her not being able to leave the farm.
It was good that the book went back to 1998 and then went back into present day. It set the scene of this family from an early start. Their strange ways have been going on for a while. From the first chapter which went back to 1998, I could tell that Liv was a rebellious child which made her father even more protective. This then led her to obey him and never leave the family home.
We got to hear mostly in the perspective of Liv and sometimes in the perspective of Liam Lilja. He spoke about him and his brother, Gabriel, who are local drug dealers. I found it confusing why we were reading about these characters but then it made sense as they became more involved. The storyline was very unique and interesting. I was always left wondering what’s the ending was going to be. I feel like each character got what they deserve, mostly.
It was easy to imagine the scenery of Ödesmark because the descriptions were so detailed. The author done an amazing job at s describing both the scenery and the characters. It made is even better that it was snowing where I love as I was finishing it off. The characters were so detailed and complex. Especially Liv, I feel like she has a lot of underlying issues because of her father. I felt like I got to know the characters easily and understand them. They were enjoyable to read about.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book which has been set in Sweden and has been translated from Swedish. It was translated perfectly.
It was good that the book went back to 1998 and then went back into present day. It set the scene of this family from an early start. Their strange ways have been going on for a while. From the first chapter which went back to 1998, I could tell that Liv was a rebellious child which made her father even more protective. This then led her to obey him and never leave the family home.
We got to hear mostly in the perspective of Liv and sometimes in the perspective of Liam Lilja. He spoke about him and his brother, Gabriel, who are local drug dealers. I found it confusing why we were reading about these characters but then it made sense as they became more involved. The storyline was very unique and interesting. I was always left wondering what’s the ending was going to be. I feel like each character got what they deserve, mostly.
It was easy to imagine the scenery of Ödesmark because the descriptions were so detailed. The author done an amazing job at s describing both the scenery and the characters. It made is even better that it was snowing where I love as I was finishing it off. The characters were so detailed and complex. Especially Liv, I feel like she has a lot of underlying issues because of her father. I felt like I got to know the characters easily and understand them. They were enjoyable to read about.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book which has been set in Sweden and has been translated from Swedish. It was translated perfectly.
mpr2000's review against another edition
4.0
I love traveling, I miss discovering new places and cities; so, when a book can transport me to a remote place full of snow and a good mystery about it, I never say no!
flyawaytinker's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
capturedcalligraphy's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book I've read from Stina Jackson, and as it stands, I'll read anything with her name on it.
"The Last Snow" is one of the best-written thrillers I've read in a while, and so its average ratings come as a surprise.
More reason not to trust the internet, I guess.
"The Last Snow" is one of the best-written thrillers I've read in a while, and so its average ratings come as a surprise.
More reason not to trust the internet, I guess.
tommooney's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Bit too much of a slow burner for my taste. But she is a good writer.