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birdwatching's review against another edition
3.0
Conceptually intriguing, this isn't a book with much depth - it is all 'shining' images, flashes of moments and characters and diverse historical times, that are described so briefly, and left like the killer's trophies, in a Hansel & Gretel trail of memory. I liked how inventive it was, and enjoyed traipsing forward and back across the landscape of Chicago. It doesn't make light of the horror of the killer's crimes, with one truly hideous, tear-inducing, scene in particular, but it doesn't dwell on them either. I personally felt that the fact there wasn't any particular thing that seemed to draw the killer towards each of his 'shining girls' made his mission seem all the more pathetic and monstrously authentic, a true psychosis of grandeur. Interesting read, and would recommend to anyone wanting a different take on the over-saturated crime genre.
beccaand's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Abortion
cherryghost15's review against another edition
4.0
I thought the TV series was disturbingly dark. The book is darker, so far. It's also compelling--the premise might not be new, but the world that unfurls here is fascinating.
christinaroberts's review against another edition
2.0
This concept of a time travelling serial killer was extremely compelling and original and overall enjoyable. It was unfinished, however. We never really learn why the house gave Harper the power to travel through the eras, or why the girls he killed were called 'the shining girls', and why it was that they had to die. Whilst I loved the perspectives of Harper and Kirby, as well as the brief points of view of the other victims before their death, I still have so many unanswered questions.
I felt this story had a lot more potential, specifically concerning "the house". Harper's character was a great one, but there was a missed opportunity to make the house itself a character as well, and if that had been done perhaps it would have answered some of the question marks. It also would have been interesting to see Harper develop some kind of relationship with one of the shining girls, maybe Kirby herself, making him unable to kill her. Inevitably there would be consequences for breaking the circle, but maybe Harper's arc would have been, well, actually existent, with him changing from a psycho killer to a man accepting his mistakes.
Having said that, I did enjoy this book and would recommend to anyone looking for a thriller that's a little different to the norm!
I felt this story had a lot more potential, specifically concerning "the house". Harper's character was a great one, but there was a missed opportunity to make the house itself a character as well, and if that had been done perhaps it would have answered some of the question marks. It also would have been interesting to see Harper develop some kind of relationship with one of the shining girls, maybe Kirby herself, making him unable to kill her. Inevitably there would be consequences for breaking the circle, but maybe Harper's arc would have been, well, actually existent, with him changing from a psycho killer to a man accepting his mistakes.
Having said that, I did enjoy this book and would recommend to anyone looking for a thriller that's a little different to the norm!
rac26's review against another edition
2.0
Best bit ... I cannot think of anything
Worse bit ... ditto.
Worse bit ... ditto.
thisameliagirl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Murder
sophielouise98's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
lady_jess_87's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this book from start to finish! My favorite part was reading about the women and their lives, what they were successful at doing with their different lives in the different time periods. The writing was beautiful, creative and described everything greatly. This was one of the best books I've read in a while.
ruthie_wk's review against another edition
The dialogue between Kirby and Dan was unbearable.
There was barely any worldbuilding.
It was essentially just plain BORING - The concept is A1 but the execution is pure shit.
There was barely any worldbuilding.
It was essentially just plain BORING - The concept is A1 but the execution is pure shit.
alohajami's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.25