Scan barcode
geezenstack444's review against another edition
2.0
I hate to say it, but this is a DNF. I didn't read anything after the dog died. I can't deal with dog deaths, sorry.
skylabeouf's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
katykelly's review
4.0
The aftermath of a sci-fi kidnap...
4.5 stars.
You. Hidden Bodies. On the strengths of these titles alone, I was prepared to read Providence without even reading a synopsis. Of course, reading a synopsis only added to the allure. Kepnes has a knack for twisted characters and situations, and though you have to take a big mental leap to allow for the plot here, it's a riveting trek.
As a young teenager, bullied student Jon goes missing on his walk to school. His best friend Chloe refuses to accept he is not coming back, beginning a series of paintings of the boy she misses, not letting life move on without him. Four years later, Jon wakes up underneath a mall with no memory of his kidnapping but a note from the perpetrator saying they have "you have power, power that will present itself to you slowly."
But now he's back, just being around him seems to trigger nosebleeds in his parents... Chloe faints when she runs to greet him. What has been done to him? And can he control it?
Told from dual perspectives, we see the adolescent hesitant love between Chloe and Jon before the kidnapping grow into something more adult with the time and pain the kidnapping provides. Chloe is the one who stayed loyal, who hasn't been able to move on, but also the one whose life has cruelly benefitted somehow. I sympathised with her, stuck between pursuing success and other avenues of love, or waiting for her soulmate to come out of the shadows.
And it's impossible not to feel for Jon, put in a situation not of his own making, having to piece together what has been done to him and how he can live with it. The scenes where he slowly works out what he is capable of are dark.
There is a third voice that enters partway too, that of 'Eggs' DeBenedictus, a police detective investigating a series of heart attacks in seemingly healthy young people. His own initially strong marriage but underlying health issues contrast with the story of Chloe and Jon as he begins making connections. Older, world-weary, his voice adds gravitas and a new perspective on the pining love story of the now young adults.
It's hard to place this book in a genre. With horror elements, some fantasy/sci-fi, romance, coming of age, it's very different to Kepnes' previous pair. Though I feel it has wider appeal and there is a lot in there up for group discussion.
Much goes unexplained, but I don't think it's the sort of book where you demand justification, it's the story that matters rather than the 'how'.
Rather fascinating. Not a beach read, one to give you a lot to think about.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
4.5 stars.
You. Hidden Bodies. On the strengths of these titles alone, I was prepared to read Providence without even reading a synopsis. Of course, reading a synopsis only added to the allure. Kepnes has a knack for twisted characters and situations, and though you have to take a big mental leap to allow for the plot here, it's a riveting trek.
As a young teenager, bullied student Jon goes missing on his walk to school. His best friend Chloe refuses to accept he is not coming back, beginning a series of paintings of the boy she misses, not letting life move on without him. Four years later, Jon wakes up underneath a mall with no memory of his kidnapping but a note from the perpetrator saying they have "you have power, power that will present itself to you slowly."
But now he's back, just being around him seems to trigger nosebleeds in his parents... Chloe faints when she runs to greet him. What has been done to him? And can he control it?
Told from dual perspectives, we see the adolescent hesitant love between Chloe and Jon before the kidnapping grow into something more adult with the time and pain the kidnapping provides. Chloe is the one who stayed loyal, who hasn't been able to move on, but also the one whose life has cruelly benefitted somehow. I sympathised with her, stuck between pursuing success and other avenues of love, or waiting for her soulmate to come out of the shadows.
And it's impossible not to feel for Jon, put in a situation not of his own making, having to piece together what has been done to him and how he can live with it. The scenes where he slowly works out what he is capable of are dark.
There is a third voice that enters partway too, that of 'Eggs' DeBenedictus, a police detective investigating a series of heart attacks in seemingly healthy young people. His own initially strong marriage but underlying health issues contrast with the story of Chloe and Jon as he begins making connections. Older, world-weary, his voice adds gravitas and a new perspective on the pining love story of the now young adults.
It's hard to place this book in a genre. With horror elements, some fantasy/sci-fi, romance, coming of age, it's very different to Kepnes' previous pair. Though I feel it has wider appeal and there is a lot in there up for group discussion.
Much goes unexplained, but I don't think it's the sort of book where you demand justification, it's the story that matters rather than the 'how'.
Rather fascinating. Not a beach read, one to give you a lot to think about.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
pam2375's review
2.0
This book just didn't do it for me. It started out with a bang, but somewhere near the center I kind of lost my way. If you have read and enoyed Caroline Kepnes before, then you will this one, too. The story just fell flat (for me).
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this advanced readers copy.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this advanced readers copy.
suzyq436's review against another edition
1.0
Unfortunately, contrary to popular opinion, I did not really enjoy this book. I felt that the story line was very slow and drawn out to the point where I was bored most of the time while reading it. I felt disconnected from the characters and I felt depth was missing from the characters. As I read the book, I felt stuck in a time warp as the characters displayed little to almost no growth throughout the book. I felt the main female character, Chloe, never truly matured in terms of growing up and thinking about situations the way an adult would. Maybe this was intentional but I did not enjoy reading her chapters. I felt the chapters belonging to Eggs, the detective, were superfluous to the story. I felt the story would have provided the same feel regardless of whether his chapters were included in the story or not.
I also felt the book tried to jam way too many genres into one story. At times I was not sure if the book was aiming to be a romance, mystery or a paranormal story. A lot of questions were left unanswered and not in a thought-provoking way but in a way that leaves the book to end without having the story reach a climax. Towards the end, I could not wait to finish the book. It is frustrating as I am a huge fan of Caroline's previous book but this book was just not for me.
I also felt the book tried to jam way too many genres into one story. At times I was not sure if the book was aiming to be a romance, mystery or a paranormal story. A lot of questions were left unanswered and not in a thought-provoking way but in a way that leaves the book to end without having the story reach a climax. Towards the end, I could not wait to finish the book. It is frustrating as I am a huge fan of Caroline's previous book but this book was just not for me.
babs_reviews's review against another edition
It pains me to write this review. Unfortunately, it wasn't my cup of tea.
Let me tell you what I did love about this book; the writing, Kepnes has a way with telling stories, this book is no exception. It was a personal issue that I didn't take to the content. This doesn't mean that the quality of writing diminished any.
There was a very strong opening and honestly, I was intrigued and pulled in right from the jump. It was when we hit the twist that I started to lose interest.
I always suggest readers take a chance, if their interest is piqued let no one tell them otherwise unless they read it and feel the same.
*Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advanced review copy*
Let me tell you what I did love about this book; the writing, Kepnes has a way with telling stories, this book is no exception. It was a personal issue that I didn't take to the content. This doesn't mean that the quality of writing diminished any.
There was a very strong opening and honestly, I was intrigued and pulled in right from the jump. It was when we hit the twist that I started to lose interest.
I always suggest readers take a chance, if their interest is piqued let no one tell them otherwise unless they read it and feel the same.
*Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advanced review copy*
marieintheraw's review against another edition
1.0
Caroline Kepnes attempts to cover too many topics resulting in many underdeveloped areas. I'm starting to wonder if she was an one hit wonder with me.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however all opinions are my own.
brianne_k's review against another edition
3.0
*2.75/5*
meh.. didn't love it. it was weird and not what I wanted it expected from the author that wrote You.
meh.. didn't love it. it was weird and not what I wanted it expected from the author that wrote You.
mbkarapcik's review against another edition
3.0
If you are looking for a similar book to the author's previous book You and the sequel, you will be disappointed. Many similarities do appear in this book but not enough to mistake it for another You. I would consider this a science fiction love story with a tiny bit of horror thrown in for good measure. Fans of HP Lovecraft will find many references to his work and sensibilities.
Jon and Chloe are best friends, but one day, Jon disappears. Chloe mourns for him, never forgetting him, but she eventually moves on. If I gave away more, I would ruin the plot, so that's all that I will offer.
Some parts of the book drag, but I liked all the characters and found myself empathizing with their individual plights. I wanted the main characters to win their battles, but, like real life, struggles ensue no matter what you do and nothing is easily or neatly resolved. At times, Jon reflects on life and pop culture in a similar fashion to Joe from the You series. A character attends a Lovecraft festival that brings the Dickens festival from You to mind. Some characters mirror others from her other books, but Eggs, a detective involved in the story, is uniquely his own character. All that being said, it's a change of pace from her other novels and an interesting story in its own right.
Jon and Chloe are best friends, but one day, Jon disappears. Chloe mourns for him, never forgetting him, but she eventually moves on. If I gave away more, I would ruin the plot, so that's all that I will offer.
Some parts of the book drag, but I liked all the characters and found myself empathizing with their individual plights. I wanted the main characters to win their battles, but, like real life, struggles ensue no matter what you do and nothing is easily or neatly resolved. At times, Jon reflects on life and pop culture in a similar fashion to Joe from the You series. A character attends a Lovecraft festival that brings the Dickens festival from You to mind. Some characters mirror others from her other books, but Eggs, a detective involved in the story, is uniquely his own character. All that being said, it's a change of pace from her other novels and an interesting story in its own right.
kuranes's review against another edition
3.0
Very enjoyable! Not super Lovecrafty, but that wasn’t a problem :)