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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I got Beautiful Malice when Border was going out a business over the summer. I had never heard of it before but I saw it on one of the tables for items really cheap. I'm so glad I found it! It was a heartbreaking novel, but was so good.
From the beginning I was hooked. We know there is something Katherine is hiding but she never says anything about it. We know it must be something so terrible because she changed her name and moved away. I love the way the author doesn't just come out and say the secret, but does flashbacks of the day throughout the book. It makes us keep guessing and wanting more.
Katherine is such a strong character to have gone through something like that and to be able to slowly move on and come to terms with it. I hated Alice and yet I liked Alice at the same time. She kept me interested. We never knew what she would do next. She was the drama. But I hated her for ruining Katherine and Mick's lives. Ughh if only that never happened. i loved them two together. I also loved Robbie! He was a great character.
I think this will be one of those books that I remember for a long time! Even though so many heartbreaking events happen, it was still an amazing novel.
From the beginning I was hooked. We know there is something Katherine is hiding but she never says anything about it. We know it must be something so terrible because she changed her name and moved away. I love the way the author doesn't just come out and say the secret, but does flashbacks of the day throughout the book. It makes us keep guessing and wanting more.
Katherine is such a strong character to have gone through something like that and to be able to slowly move on and come to terms with it. I hated Alice and yet I liked Alice at the same time. She kept me interested. We never knew what she would do next. She was the drama. But I hated her for ruining Katherine and Mick's lives. Ughh if only that never happened. i loved them two together. I also loved Robbie! He was a great character.
I think this will be one of those books that I remember for a long time! Even though so many heartbreaking events happen, it was still an amazing novel.
‘Were you secretly glad when she was killed?’
Following the death of her sister, Katherine moves away from her parents to start life afresh in Sydney. Katherine keeps to herself until she is befriended by Alice: a charming and engaging extrovert who reintroduces Katherine to life.
But Alice has a dark, edgy side to her that Katherine at first only sees in glimpses but does not understand. And by the time Katherine realises the truth about Alice, it is too late to prevent another tragedy.
I enjoyed this novel: it was a good escapist read peopled with a mixture of interesting characters and situations. At times, it was a little like watching a train wreck: I knew what was going to happen, didn’t really want to watch but couldn’t tear my eyes away. Embedded in the story are reminders, too, of the consequences of choices. Unintended or not, we live with them forever. Just ask Katherine.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Following the death of her sister, Katherine moves away from her parents to start life afresh in Sydney. Katherine keeps to herself until she is befriended by Alice: a charming and engaging extrovert who reintroduces Katherine to life.
But Alice has a dark, edgy side to her that Katherine at first only sees in glimpses but does not understand. And by the time Katherine realises the truth about Alice, it is too late to prevent another tragedy.
I enjoyed this novel: it was a good escapist read peopled with a mixture of interesting characters and situations. At times, it was a little like watching a train wreck: I knew what was going to happen, didn’t really want to watch but couldn’t tear my eyes away. Embedded in the story are reminders, too, of the consequences of choices. Unintended or not, we live with them forever. Just ask Katherine.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Katherine Patterson is sitting under a tree reading a book when Alice Parrie comes along inviting her to her eighteenth birthday. Katherine is taken aback as she's not evens friends with Alice and has never associated with her. Although Katherine declines her offer, Alice is persistent and won't take no for an answer.
It's been awhile since Katherine's been anywhere to socialise as she prefers her own company. Katherine is hiding a dark and very deep secret which she's carried with her since her sister, Rachel was murdered. Since that day her life changed completely.
After being at the party a short time Katherine starts to relax and mix with some of the guests. Katherine also meets Alice's boyfriend, Robbie who seems to be quite a nice guy considering the way Alice treats him sometimes. The way Alice acts seems a little strange and Katherine wonders if there isn't something not quite right with her.
Katherine finds herself being friends with Alice and Robbie and together the three of them will share fun times, but at times Alice can be mean and cruel which makes Katherine believe there is more to her than meets the eye. Robbie and Katherine get along really well and he starts confide in her and she wishes she could do the same. Knowing that if people find out her deep, dark secret it could affect those around her and is she ready to turn their lives upside down as well as her own.
I really enjoyed this book which had me hooked from the first page. If enjoy psychological thrillers then look no further because this book is for you. A story about betrayal and revenge that will leave you wanting more. Highly recommended.
It's been awhile since Katherine's been anywhere to socialise as she prefers her own company. Katherine is hiding a dark and very deep secret which she's carried with her since her sister, Rachel was murdered. Since that day her life changed completely.
After being at the party a short time Katherine starts to relax and mix with some of the guests. Katherine also meets Alice's boyfriend, Robbie who seems to be quite a nice guy considering the way Alice treats him sometimes. The way Alice acts seems a little strange and Katherine wonders if there isn't something not quite right with her.
Katherine finds herself being friends with Alice and Robbie and together the three of them will share fun times, but at times Alice can be mean and cruel which makes Katherine believe there is more to her than meets the eye. Robbie and Katherine get along really well and he starts confide in her and she wishes she could do the same. Knowing that if people find out her deep, dark secret it could affect those around her and is she ready to turn their lives upside down as well as her own.
I really enjoyed this book which had me hooked from the first page. If enjoy psychological thrillers then look no further because this book is for you. A story about betrayal and revenge that will leave you wanting more. Highly recommended.
Won through First Reads! Looking forward to receiving it! Woohoo arrived today!
Finally carved out some time to read Beautiful Malice.
There was a lot to like in this novel - the premise is interesting and the language is accessible. There has been thought put into the motivations of the characters and the slow reveal of Katherine's tragedy was effective. It's an easy read - took me less than two hours.
Though not specifically stated I feel this novel is written for a mature (15+) YA audience. The protagonists are in their late teens, and their behaviour reflects that. The characters are not as well developed as they could be, there was little for them to push against to learn more about them outside their own relationships. The lack of adult/parental supervision stretches credibility a little seeming more convenient than necessary. I liked Katherine, I can understand her desire to cling to Alice's friendship, and her reluctance, once things got out of hand, to look for help from the adults in her life. Alice was a little too predictable, I would have liked her disintergration to be a bit more subtle.
I am not sure that the shifts between past, present and future worked for me either, it interupted the flow and tension to move forward and then be able to predict how things turn out.
I've gone with three stars though 2 and a half would be more accurate. Still a decent debut novel, James is an author with potential.
Finally carved out some time to read Beautiful Malice.
There was a lot to like in this novel - the premise is interesting and the language is accessible. There has been thought put into the motivations of the characters and the slow reveal of Katherine's tragedy was effective. It's an easy read - took me less than two hours.
Though not specifically stated I feel this novel is written for a mature (15+) YA audience. The protagonists are in their late teens, and their behaviour reflects that. The characters are not as well developed as they could be, there was little for them to push against to learn more about them outside their own relationships. The lack of adult/parental supervision stretches credibility a little seeming more convenient than necessary. I liked Katherine, I can understand her desire to cling to Alice's friendship, and her reluctance, once things got out of hand, to look for help from the adults in her life. Alice was a little too predictable, I would have liked her disintergration to be a bit more subtle.
I am not sure that the shifts between past, present and future worked for me either, it interupted the flow and tension to move forward and then be able to predict how things turn out.
I've gone with three stars though 2 and a half would be more accurate. Still a decent debut novel, James is an author with potential.
Katherine Patterson a.k.a. Kate, mencoba melupakan masa lalunya yang buruk dengan pindah ke Sidney. Sayangnya bayang-bayang dari masa lalunya muncul dalam wujud seorang sahabat. Katherine yang penyendiri merasa beruntung didekati oleh Alice yang "aneh".
Sedikit demi sedikit kehidupan Katherine "dimasuki" oleh Alice. Puncaknya adalah ketika Katherine kehilangan ayah dari bayi yang dikandungnya gara-gara Alice.
Buku ini terdiri atas 2 bagian. Pada bagian pertama alurnya maju mundur, tapi masih bisa diikuti. Bagian ini menjelaskan tentang masa lalu Katherine, Hubungannya dengan Alice, dan persahabatan mereka.
Pada bagian kedua, alur ceritanya menjadi "normal", disinilah terkuak siapa Alice, dan bagaimana Katherine bertemu dengan pria dari masa lalu.
Jalan ceritanya menarik dan tidak tertebak. Sayangnya banyaknya salah pengetikan menghilangkan satu bintang dari empat bintang yang tadinya mau saya berikan.
Sedikit demi sedikit kehidupan Katherine "dimasuki" oleh Alice. Puncaknya adalah ketika Katherine kehilangan ayah dari bayi yang dikandungnya gara-gara Alice.
Buku ini terdiri atas 2 bagian. Pada bagian pertama alurnya maju mundur, tapi masih bisa diikuti. Bagian ini menjelaskan tentang masa lalu Katherine, Hubungannya dengan Alice, dan persahabatan mereka.
Pada bagian kedua, alur ceritanya menjadi "normal", disinilah terkuak siapa Alice, dan bagaimana Katherine bertemu dengan pria dari masa lalu.
Jalan ceritanya menarik dan tidak tertebak. Sayangnya banyaknya salah pengetikan menghilangkan satu bintang dari empat bintang yang tadinya mau saya berikan.
Looking back I can see this book is more naive and juvenile than I remember it, but I first read it at 15 years old and it must have been the first psychological thriller I've read so it made quite an impression on me. It's not particularly bad-written, it creates suspense and mystery from the end of the first part and onward and the constant jumping to flashbacks/present worked very well. I certainly didn't see the plot twist coming. However when you've read a lot of books of this genre it's surely nothing special, it's unrealistic in a lot of aspects the characters act unbelievably mature for their ages (you have to suspend your disbelief to buy that they're teenagers, not 20 something). All in all, it's kinda underwhelming for an adult reader. I have to give it to the book, nonetheless, because it sparked my love for toxic friendships. Toxic and narcissistic friendships in books are now my jam.
Spoiler
for example how can 17 year old Katherine live completely alone, not giving any f*ck about school and responsibilities, messing around, and the worst part for me, how can her parents learn that she's pregnant at 17 and CONGRATULATE her, not even questioning her about the guy she has decided to live with or about her choices
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sono stata molto intrigata dal titolo di questo libro, a causa del gioco di parole tra "malice", "cattiveria" in inglese, ed Alice, il nome della bad girl del romanzo.
La storia non è delle più originali: due adolescenti stringono un forte legame di amicizia. Una delle due, Alice, è la ragazza più popolare della scuola, quella bella, espansiva, la regina delle feste. L'altra, Katherine, vive con una zia per sfuggire ad un trauma del passato e ai sensi di colpa, ha sempre evitato gli altri, ed è quanto meno lusingata dal fatto che Alice le accordi -e poi pretenda- la sua amicizia.
Come è facile immaginare, Alice ha dei secondi fini, il suo carattere e i suoi comportamenti nascondono seri disturbi, e quella che può sembrare una meravigliosa amicizia, si trasformerà ben presto in un incubo.
Soprattutto nella prima metà, il romanzo è molto scorrevole e coinvolgente; interessante la narrazione, che si svolge su ben tre piani temporali: il passato, il presente recente e il presente vero e proprio.
Ad un certo punto, però, il presente recente prende il sopravvento sugli altri piani, i capitoli cominciano a diventare noiosi e si perde interesse per la vicenda.
Soprattutto, c'è poca Alice, che è il vero cuore del libro e l'elemento più interessante della storia.
http://iltesorodicarta.blogspot.it/
La storia non è delle più originali: due adolescenti stringono un forte legame di amicizia. Una delle due, Alice, è la ragazza più popolare della scuola, quella bella, espansiva, la regina delle feste. L'altra, Katherine, vive con una zia per sfuggire ad un trauma del passato e ai sensi di colpa, ha sempre evitato gli altri, ed è quanto meno lusingata dal fatto che Alice le accordi -e poi pretenda- la sua amicizia.
Come è facile immaginare, Alice ha dei secondi fini, il suo carattere e i suoi comportamenti nascondono seri disturbi, e quella che può sembrare una meravigliosa amicizia, si trasformerà ben presto in un incubo.
Soprattutto nella prima metà, il romanzo è molto scorrevole e coinvolgente; interessante la narrazione, che si svolge su ben tre piani temporali: il passato, il presente recente e il presente vero e proprio.
Ad un certo punto, però, il presente recente prende il sopravvento sugli altri piani, i capitoli cominciano a diventare noiosi e si perde interesse per la vicenda.
Soprattutto, c'è poca Alice, che è il vero cuore del libro e l'elemento più interessante della storia.
http://iltesorodicarta.blogspot.it/
I won a copy of this book through a give away run by DaisyChainBooks (http://daisychainbookreviews.blogspot.com/). I knew I wanted to read it, but I guess I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from it-- it's obvious from the introduction that this girl Alice is going to cause a lot of trouble, but I honestly didn't think she could be so cruel.
The way the book is set up kinda reminded me of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Chronicles of a Death Foretold: we know from the beginning that Katherine has changed her name and moved to a city because of her sister's death, but events unfold later on, and the more the story continues, the more we find out about what really happened. One thing we know from the beginning is that Alice is bad news.
As I was reading about the horrible things she does, I found myself going, "Come on; who does that?" only to realize a second later that I actually do know people who are capable of that kind of cruelty. And then there were times when I wanted to grab Katherine and Robbie (the guy who's in love with Alice no matter how bad she treats him) by the shoulders and shake them, going, "She's evil! Run while you can!" But, of course, it doesn't always work that way and we're constantly pulled in by people whom we know are not good for us. And I think everyone knows the feeling of loving and hating someone both at the same time.
I think the book very well portrays how one bad decision can change your life, and that you don't usually realize it was a bad decision until you fall apart, and no matter how careful you try to be, you get caught up in things.
The ending felt kinda abrupt, and I was left wanting more, but it was a happy ending that felt warm and genuine.
The way the book is set up kinda reminded me of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Chronicles of a Death Foretold: we know from the beginning that Katherine has changed her name and moved to a city because of her sister's death, but events unfold later on, and the more the story continues, the more we find out about what really happened. One thing we know from the beginning is that Alice is bad news.
As I was reading about the horrible things she does, I found myself going, "Come on; who does that?" only to realize a second later that I actually do know people who are capable of that kind of cruelty. And then there were times when I wanted to grab Katherine and Robbie (the guy who's in love with Alice no matter how bad she treats him) by the shoulders and shake them, going, "She's evil! Run while you can!" But, of course, it doesn't always work that way and we're constantly pulled in by people whom we know are not good for us. And I think everyone knows the feeling of loving and hating someone both at the same time.
I think the book very well portrays how one bad decision can change your life, and that you don't usually realize it was a bad decision until you fall apart, and no matter how careful you try to be, you get caught up in things.
The ending felt kinda abrupt, and I was left wanting more, but it was a happy ending that felt warm and genuine.