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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
Swerve was a heart-pounding thriller that brought me through the ringer! I didn't see the twists coming, and the serial killer in this book is so terrifying. But I especially appreciate this book because it showed the journey of a woman who had to escape from a very dark past and emerge an even stronger woman. Kristine was a great main character, and I couldn't help but admire that she could be so strong and smart and brave even through all the adversity she faced. A lot of people have said the book is violent, and they are right, but it's that violence that transforms the main character and shows her strength. Even though I don't usually read thrillers, this is a great read.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Wow, Vicki Pettersson knows how to write an awesome thriller! This one kept me drawn in a knot from the beginning and I could not stop reading. It's been a while since I enjoyed such a suspenseful book. This one is not for the faint of heart as it is disturbing in some parts, but it will definitely leave your heart pounding. I would love to see it made into a movie. Fans of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Thomas Harris check this one out...there is a new voice in town! I was provided a digital copy of this book for free by Netgalley.
I was really disappointed in this book. It started out with an intriguing premise but evolved into a bizarre and unbelievable plotline. Too gory for my taste.
This story takes you on a ride that never slows down. Twisting story line that you're never quite sure of how where it will take you next. Loved it from start to finish. As in all of Vick Pettersson's books the lead female character kicks ass!!
True rating - 4.5 stars! This one had me on the edge of my seat and nearly hyperventilating at the end.
Phew! So all in all this is a good solid thriller. Kristine is caught in a cat and mouse/race against the clock type game with an unhinged predator in order to save her fiancé. How far will she go to save him?
Kicks off straight away with tight suspense and action that keeps you turning the pages all the way to the great twist (which I didn't actually see coming). Kristine is also still affected by her past and this works quite well, though takes a little too long to get the full picture. This is also a reoccurring theme throughout the second half of the book. Whilst there is a lot going on, the story loses a bit of suspenseful momentum as we now know the score and it's just about how its going to play out. For this reason it's only three stars and not four.
Reflecting on this book, I think after the twist is revealed it would have been interesting to then spend time with the predator and their past, how they came to be who they are and what is driving them from their perspective (not just Kristine's view of the situation in quick summary). Along with Kristine's past this would have added some depth (and potentially even darker concepts) before things are brought back to the present. For me this would have kept momentum going, meant the final playoff was a shorter/tighter read and overall make for a deeper, darker thriller. All in all though a solid and enjoyable read, perfect for the weekend :).
Many thanks to Netgallery and Gallery Books for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Kicks off straight away with tight suspense and action that keeps you turning the pages all the way to the great twist (which I didn't actually see coming). Kristine is also still affected by her past and this works quite well, though takes a little too long to get the full picture. This is also a reoccurring theme throughout the second half of the book. Whilst there is a lot going on, the story loses a bit of suspenseful momentum as we now know the score and it's just about how its going to play out. For this reason it's only three stars and not four.
Reflecting on this book, I think after the twist is revealed it would have been interesting to then spend time with the predator and their past, how they came to be who they are and what is driving them from their perspective (not just Kristine's view of the situation in quick summary). Along with Kristine's past this would have added some depth (and potentially even darker concepts) before things are brought back to the present. For me this would have kept momentum going, meant the final playoff was a shorter/tighter read and overall make for a deeper, darker thriller. All in all though a solid and enjoyable read, perfect for the weekend :).
Many thanks to Netgallery and Gallery Books for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this free readers edition. In exchange I am providing an honest review.
Whoa. What an intense read. I am fairly sure I was in fight or flight mode myself for at least half the book! It's astounding to me that someone can create such a psycho read. It's perhaps a little scary as well. Is there anyone that is this creatively psycho? I just don't think there can be.
I feel like this is a tough book to review - a lot of anything I want to say about this read would lend toward spoilers and I do not like to spoil!
Kristine and Daniel are traveling through the Mojave Desert toward a holiday weekend. A decision to stop at a rest stop for Kristine to change her clothes leads to 24 hours of sheer terror for Kristine and Daniel. Some psycho killer is stalking Kristine through the desert and using Daniel as bait. What lengths will Kristine go to save Daniel - and herself?
Holy Smokes. This book seriously had me so wound up that I had a very hard time coming down from the flight or fight rush I experienced while reading it. The one complaint I have is the reasoning for the killer's stalking. I didn't feel like Pettersson was able to connect those dots clearly. It didn't make sense to me, the why of it all. But regardless of that it was quite a ride, literal edge-of-your-seat kind of read.
Whoa. What an intense read. I am fairly sure I was in fight or flight mode myself for at least half the book! It's astounding to me that someone can create such a psycho read. It's perhaps a little scary as well. Is there anyone that is this creatively psycho? I just don't think there can be.
I feel like this is a tough book to review - a lot of anything I want to say about this read would lend toward spoilers and I do not like to spoil!
Kristine and Daniel are traveling through the Mojave Desert toward a holiday weekend. A decision to stop at a rest stop for Kristine to change her clothes leads to 24 hours of sheer terror for Kristine and Daniel. Some psycho killer is stalking Kristine through the desert and using Daniel as bait. What lengths will Kristine go to save Daniel - and herself?
Holy Smokes. This book seriously had me so wound up that I had a very hard time coming down from the flight or fight rush I experienced while reading it. The one complaint I have is the reasoning for the killer's stalking. I didn't feel like Pettersson was able to connect those dots clearly. It didn't make sense to me, the why of it all. But regardless of that it was quite a ride, literal edge-of-your-seat kind of read.
Caffeinated Aspects of Swerve:
Decaffeinated Aspects of Swerve:
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
- Swerve was action-packed and from the very first chapter the reader is drawn in. The tale is dark, gory and reminiscent of classic horror films. The ones that had you snuggling close to your sweetie late night at the drive-in and screaming..yep good times.
- Kristine Rush and her fiancé, Daniel, are headed to Lake Arrowhead, California. They plan to spend the July Fourth holiday weekend at his childhood home. After a near miss and a coffee spill, they pull over at a desolate rest stop. *que horror music* Daniel is abducted and Kristine must meet the demands of his captor or lose him forever.
- Clues, horrific incentive, and a game of cat and mouse quickly ensue. The tasks begin simple enough but we quickly come to realize we are dealing with a complete sociopath.
- If you crave dark, twisted cringe worthy scenes, Swerve will surely satisfy your cravings. Seriously, that horror sound track was running through my head the entire time and just when I thought it could not get any darker the author went there.
Decaffeinated Aspects of Swerve:
- Sometimes Kristine was stupid. Hey, I know she is freaked out and possibly losing her mind but there were a couple of times I was disappointed.
- This is brutal folks. Swerve was dark, sick, and violent. I am talking death, torture and dismemberment. This is not a book for the feint of heart.
Spoiler
Children and animals are not immune and fair game. However, while traumatized they were not physically harmed. - The plot twist revealed itself too early but I was still vested in the outcome.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
I say this with as little pretension as I can muster: I saw this coming from a mile away. I lost interest after the twist, which wasn't a lot of interest to lose, given that the writing and narration style struck me as uneven and staggered. Sigh.