Reviews

The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

melrosebreed's review against another edition

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4.0

I liked this book! The alternating perspectives and settings were compelling, and I was riveted by some of the other victims' stories. Kirby kinda irked me, but I got over that.

cabbage_patch's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

The book jumps around in time a lot. This was confusing for me.

lindsayk522's review against another edition

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mysterious 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? Yes

4.25

ginny17's review against another edition

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4.0

Loved this book...it was a little difficult to keep track of the timeline, but it was well written, fast paced, and creepy.

rosieclaverton's review against another edition

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4.0

This was my second attempt at this book. The first time, I read it in fits and starts and got very confused with the timeline. This time, I read it regularly and it really worked for me. The sketches of the victims are particularly well done - I didn't want any of them to die. The Dan/Kirby angle was well played and the resolution satisfying. Recommend.

19/07/14 - The more I talk about this book, the more I realise how much of it has stayed with me. How vividly I recall certain scenes and characters. That is the mark of a great book.

vlburbach's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

squirrelsohno's review against another edition

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Not for me.

thestoryowl's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed the creepy vibe and the supernatural twist to this book. I found myself really rooting for Kirby, the victim who survived.

hlrliterary's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

thebookhaze's review against another edition

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5.0

This is my first ever Lauren Beukes book, and OMG, I can't believe I haven't read her or heard of her earlier!

There are so many great things to say about this book, so many nuances and crazy stuff that happens with this book. I mean, a time-traveling serial killer! But more than that, the story-telling itself! Seeing things through the eyes of the victims, Kirby's strength and tenacity, the way the killer's time traveling path loops and goes a full circle, it's just crazy!

Also. The chapter "Kirby - 23 March 1989" killed me. I sobbed when I read it, and I can't even think about it now without tearing up. Wow.