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2.94 AVERAGE
2.94 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book seemed really promising, but to me it was too predictable. From the moment I started reading I had a feeling who the killer was going to be and that just didn’t make me want to keep reading this book. It took me a while to finish too.
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Oh dear.
This book is a really bizarre and frustrating combination of decent writing and appalling storytelling. Most frustrating of all is that this is actually a relatively easy problem to fix, it just hasn’t been done!
For instance, the cast is bloated - at least half could have been cut and the story would’ve been unharmed (and potentially better off). The way Jen engages with the world through the eyes of her characters is a really fun narrative device that was woefully underused. Who the hell are these characters, and why does everyone Jen meets seem to have loved them so much? Please show us!!!
I was also disappointed in the mystery, especially as I figured out whodunnit a chapter or so in - again, this could’ve been an easy fix. Although the writing itself was largely decent, the way clothes were described was very Ebony Darkness Dementia Raven Way-esque, eg. ‘I wiped the condensation on my grey sweatpants’, ‘I wiggled my toes in my roomy, sensible flats, which matched my navy-blue pantsuit and baby-blue blouse.’ (A good time to mention that I in fact took multiple breaks from this book to read My Immortal instead.)
And most egregious of all, despite what the cover would have you believe, there is not a cat to be found in this!!! (This is obviously not Minix’s fault, but worth mentioning)
In spite of everything, I do believe that there is a genuinely interesting story here. Somewhere. It just needs a hell of a lot more polishing.
This book is a really bizarre and frustrating combination of decent writing and appalling storytelling. Most frustrating of all is that this is actually a relatively easy problem to fix, it just hasn’t been done!
For instance, the cast is bloated - at least half could have been cut and the story would’ve been unharmed (and potentially better off). The way Jen engages with the world through the eyes of her characters is a really fun narrative device that was woefully underused. Who the hell are these characters, and why does everyone Jen meets seem to have loved them so much? Please show us!!!
I was also disappointed in the mystery, especially as I figured out whodunnit a chapter or so in - again, this could’ve been an easy fix. Although the writing itself was largely decent, the way clothes were described was very Ebony Darkness Dementia Raven Way-esque, eg. ‘I wiped the condensation on my grey sweatpants’, ‘I wiggled my toes in my roomy, sensible flats, which matched my navy-blue pantsuit and baby-blue blouse.’ (A good time to mention that I in fact took multiple breaks from this book to read My Immortal instead.)
And most egregious of all, despite what the cover would have you believe, there is not a cat to be found in this!!! (This is obviously not Minix’s fault, but worth mentioning)
In spite of everything, I do believe that there is a genuinely interesting story here. Somewhere. It just needs a hell of a lot more polishing.
It's a fun read, with the unconventional element of writing from the first person perspective. Some bits of the story are a bit far-fetched and, to me, the main character was more annoying than likeable which decreased the fun of reading. Had a bit of a lull about 2/3 of the way in the story, but the end was nicely paced again.
I am EXTREMELY gullible and naive, and yet I IMMEDIATELY knew who did it from the first chapter. That's a no for me.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed trying to figure out "who did it" in this book. There were several twists and turns that really surprised me. I liked the insight into a writer's contract with a publisher. The main character's (Jen) personality annoyed me and I didn't like how she treated other characters at times. However, the last few chapters of the book, I felt like Jen started to realize how she was treating others and her character developed. I did find that the title and cover of the book mislead me on what would happen in the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Vomit