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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
I’m sad I didn’t like this but to me this was not a “thriller”. I couldn’t tell if the author wanted to write a memoir about her own climb or an actual mystery-thriller novel. This was boring, poorly paced, the plot made no sense, and the killer was obvious from the synopsis. I had to skim the end. It also would have been much improved if it were told in first person, giving a creepier more claustrophobic vibe. At least half of this book is completely extraneous and unnecessary.
I would have preferred a memoir of the author’s time climbing Manaslu, so we could have the proper time to understand the feat it truly was. This just felt disorganized, incomplete, and like half the book was for memorializing her own trip while really the focus should have been plot. Bummer.
I would have preferred a memoir of the author’s time climbing Manaslu, so we could have the proper time to understand the feat it truly was. This just felt disorganized, incomplete, and like half the book was for memorializing her own trip while really the focus should have been plot. Bummer.
What’s it about (in a nutshell):
Breathless by Amy McCulloch is the story of journalist Cecily Wong’s hike to the top of one of the tallest mountains on the planet, Manaslu. The famous climber Charles McVeigh tapped her for his team, and he would not give her an interview until they reached the top. For personal and professional reasons, a successful climb means everything to Cecily. Still, with a murderer on a killing spree and all of nature’s challenges, her chances of success have become marginally thin.
Initial Expectations:
My first impression is that Breathless will be an intense thriller with man versus nature and man versus man themes. The title speaks to the intensity – almost like it is commenting on the reader’s experience. I expect to be left absolutely breathless. Also, the snow falling on the cover speaks to the challenges nature will provide. Lastly, the book description seems to confirm all of this. I’m expecting a harrowing climb!
Actual Reading Experience:
From the very beginning of this story, the atmosphere is so pervasive that it is almost claustrophobic at times. It definitely sets the mood for the natural dangers and experiences of mountain climbing in a way that feels genuine. I could tell that the author had actually been on this mountain and made it to the top, and her descriptions were vivid and real.
The third-person narration, focused solely on Cecily Wong, tells a story that I experienced viscerally in a way no other type of narration could have as effectively told it. Cecily is a journalist who needs an interview with Charles McVeigh to establish herself in the journalistic world. Her desperation to be successful at climbing Manaslu and interviewing Charles McVeigh is not just known by the reader. But still, it felt as if it was my struggle along with Cecily’s. This makes the story uncomfortably immersive and effectively so.
The murder mystery, on top of the natural challenges, is very complex and has lots of surprising twists. I didn’t even come close to suspecting the right person or the reasons. I loved that a story taking me on a naturally harrowing journey also took me on a suspense-filled path to stop a killer who found the perfect spot to kill without getting caught.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you are interested in finding out the details that go into mountain climbing and love an excellent murder mystery full of twists, turns, and surprising revelations, you must pick up Breathless and go on the hike of your life!
Breathless by Amy McCulloch is the story of journalist Cecily Wong’s hike to the top of one of the tallest mountains on the planet, Manaslu. The famous climber Charles McVeigh tapped her for his team, and he would not give her an interview until they reached the top. For personal and professional reasons, a successful climb means everything to Cecily. Still, with a murderer on a killing spree and all of nature’s challenges, her chances of success have become marginally thin.
Initial Expectations:
My first impression is that Breathless will be an intense thriller with man versus nature and man versus man themes. The title speaks to the intensity – almost like it is commenting on the reader’s experience. I expect to be left absolutely breathless. Also, the snow falling on the cover speaks to the challenges nature will provide. Lastly, the book description seems to confirm all of this. I’m expecting a harrowing climb!
Actual Reading Experience:
From the very beginning of this story, the atmosphere is so pervasive that it is almost claustrophobic at times. It definitely sets the mood for the natural dangers and experiences of mountain climbing in a way that feels genuine. I could tell that the author had actually been on this mountain and made it to the top, and her descriptions were vivid and real.
The third-person narration, focused solely on Cecily Wong, tells a story that I experienced viscerally in a way no other type of narration could have as effectively told it. Cecily is a journalist who needs an interview with Charles McVeigh to establish herself in the journalistic world. Her desperation to be successful at climbing Manaslu and interviewing Charles McVeigh is not just known by the reader. But still, it felt as if it was my struggle along with Cecily’s. This makes the story uncomfortably immersive and effectively so.
The murder mystery, on top of the natural challenges, is very complex and has lots of surprising twists. I didn’t even come close to suspecting the right person or the reasons. I loved that a story taking me on a naturally harrowing journey also took me on a suspense-filled path to stop a killer who found the perfect spot to kill without getting caught.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you are interested in finding out the details that go into mountain climbing and love an excellent murder mystery full of twists, turns, and surprising revelations, you must pick up Breathless and go on the hike of your life!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced