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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
It became a bit far fetched. First book was really good and unique in it's own way.
This second one left me wanting less, which is weird to say.
This second one left me wanting less, which is weird to say.
dark
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
Here's what I think -
The first book, YOU, is something that has rightfully gotten what it deserves; hype and popularity. It is a very unique book, I have never read any novel quite like it, may never will again. It is special, it is spectacular, it is a MUST. YOU need to get this story, the writing style, the reserved way of Joe's mind inside your head. Come on. You have your whole life, please read this book at least once.
HIDDEN BODIES is a whole other story. As much as I hate to say this - Kepnes didn't do YOU 'justice'. It seems to me like it is a part of a whole other series, disconnected, separate, and different. Of course, this may be what Kepnes wanted for the novel, for the story. It just doesn't work for me. I think this book wasn't necessary for the story at all, I would have loved the mystery of leaving YOU on it's own. I'm not sure a book such as YOU needs a second version. Anyways, I think next time I'll just re-read YOU on it's own.
The first book, YOU, is something that has rightfully gotten what it deserves; hype and popularity. It is a very unique book, I have never read any novel quite like it, may never will again. It is special, it is spectacular, it is a MUST. YOU need to get this story, the writing style, the reserved way of Joe's mind inside your head. Come on. You have your whole life, please read this book at least once.
HIDDEN BODIES is a whole other story. As much as I hate to say this - Kepnes didn't do YOU 'justice'. It seems to me like it is a part of a whole other series, disconnected, separate, and different. Of course, this may be what Kepnes wanted for the novel, for the story. It just doesn't work for me. I think this book wasn't necessary for the story at all, I would have loved the mystery of leaving YOU on it's own. I'm not sure a book such as YOU needs a second version. Anyways, I think next time I'll just re-read YOU on it's own.
First, I am in awe with how Caroline Kepnes writes! From the pop culture references to the insanely large vocabulary to the tidbits of knowledge that NO ONE should ever know, this book is filled with captivating items. Sadly, I found myself looking up stuff A LOT (ugh, no judgement).
Second, the story is an incredible blend if truly creepy yet highly entertaining. Here, we find our adored Joe (ok, so not adored but more like love to hate) has fallen in love again, this time with Amy Adams. And only fitting for Joe's luck, Amy runs off to California with his heart. Naturally, she can't have the last laugh, so Joe goes to Hollywood (gasp!) to track her down. Hidden Bodies is the tale of Joe exacting his revenge on Amy Adams and all of the hazards, adventures, sidetracks, and love affairs that happen along the ride.
There were some ebbs and flows with this book. At times I was sucked in that "one more chapter" turned into five or more. But there were some sections that lagged where I'd put the book down for a little bit. I so desperately needed to know how the book ended though, so I read my little heart out.
I dare to wonder where the idea for Joe came about, and I can't imagine to what depths of an abyss Caroline Kepnes has to crawl to in her mind to even fathom what this character is going to say or how he'll react, but it works. Pure (weird and creepy) genius. I love/hate Joe and will read a third book if there's more to his story.
4.5 stars
Note: I received an ARC from Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate the opportunity. Review will be cross-posted on Amazon on release day.
Second, the story is an incredible blend if truly creepy yet highly entertaining. Here, we find our adored Joe (ok, so not adored but more like love to hate) has fallen in love again, this time with Amy Adams. And only fitting for Joe's luck, Amy runs off to California with his heart. Naturally, she can't have the last laugh, so Joe goes to Hollywood (gasp!) to track her down. Hidden Bodies is the tale of Joe exacting his revenge on Amy Adams and all of the hazards, adventures, sidetracks, and love affairs that happen along the ride.
There were some ebbs and flows with this book. At times I was sucked in that "one more chapter" turned into five or more. But there were some sections that lagged where I'd put the book down for a little bit. I so desperately needed to know how the book ended though, so I read my little heart out.
I dare to wonder where the idea for Joe came about, and I can't imagine to what depths of an abyss Caroline Kepnes has to crawl to in her mind to even fathom what this character is going to say or how he'll react, but it works. Pure (weird and creepy) genius. I love/hate Joe and will read a third book if there's more to his story.
4.5 stars
Note: I received an ARC from Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate the opportunity. Review will be cross-posted on Amazon on release day.
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 stars
I’m kind of conflicted about rating this book. Two feels a bit low and three feels too high, but I’ve went with two in the official rating because to me, two means “it was okay” and I think that fits well.
I read the first book in October but put this one off because I’d heard not great things and I wanted to consume the story in TV form first, as I did with the first season. This one was very different from the show, which I enjoyed, but I think it threw me off a bit at first.
First of all, where did the second person narrative go? I guess it would be more difficult with this book but that was one of my favourite things about the first book and it made it truly unique!
The first half of this book was so boring, I considered DNFing and I never do that! I will say it got much better later on (especially at the end!) but the plot wasn’t my favourite and it just lost the magic that the first book had.
Regardless, I do still enjoy reading about Joe and I will continue the series, but I think this would have worked well as a stand-alone.
I’m kind of conflicted about rating this book. Two feels a bit low and three feels too high, but I’ve went with two in the official rating because to me, two means “it was okay” and I think that fits well.
I read the first book in October but put this one off because I’d heard not great things and I wanted to consume the story in TV form first, as I did with the first season. This one was very different from the show, which I enjoyed, but I think it threw me off a bit at first.
First of all, where did the second person narrative go? I guess it would be more difficult with this book but that was one of my favourite things about the first book and it made it truly unique!
The first half of this book was so boring, I considered DNFing and I never do that! I will say it got much better later on (especially at the end!) but the plot wasn’t my favourite and it just lost the magic that the first book had.
Regardless, I do still enjoy reading about Joe and I will continue the series, but I think this would have worked well as a stand-alone.
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense