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sarahmoran27's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
simonefk's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I read this for book club, it's not something I ever really would have chosen myself.
It's very dark, gothic and very atmospheric. I like books set across different timeliness which I think this did really well. I did prefer Lina and Maxine's to Lucienne's as I feel they had more depth to the characters. It's quite an addictive read, quite easy to want to keep reading.
I did struggle with the very short chapter length and I did feel the structure jumped around a little bit it does progress well and you start to see the links.
As others said there is a twist that you absolutely don't see coming. I personally was not a fan of the ending but I seem to be in the minority there!
It's very dark, gothic and very atmospheric. I like books set across different timeliness which I think this did really well. I did prefer Lina and Maxine's to Lucienne's as I feel they had more depth to the characters. It's quite an addictive read, quite easy to want to keep reading.
I did struggle with the very short chapter length and I did feel the structure jumped around a little bit it does progress well and you start to see the links.
As others said there is a twist that you absolutely don't see coming. I personally was not a fan of the ending but I seem to be in the minority there!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Abortion
orphiq's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
amypotter's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
andrea_hr's review
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jennylomax's review
mysterious
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? Yes
2.0
A slow-burn that only just pays off with a sudden twist in the last few chapters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion and Child death
booksbybindu's review against another edition
5.0
‘The Bleeding’ is an atmospheric beautifully haunting gothic thriller that shocks to the very last sentence. It's set over three timelines with three women and their stories intertwine and merge to form a gripping tale that will captivate every reader. I wish I had taken my time reading this book as when I closed that last page I instantly went ‘well that was stunning wasn't it?’ and I wanted to return right to the start to see what I had missed but also to relive these women’s stories. I could have easily devoured a full book about each woman as they were beyond fascinating. This is the first book of Johana’s that I have read but it certainly won't be the last as her turn of phrases, at times so simple but were so powerfully devastating and haunting that they linger in the reader's psyche. Well done David Warriner on another fabulous translation.
Three women, three timelines. The historical mixed with the present. Life versus death. When a former schoolteacher is found on her doorstep covered in blood she utters one sentence ‘Get Detective Grant’. Maxine is just about to return from her maternity leave but returns early as the woman is her old teacher. When they enter the house they find the husband brutally murdered. Maxine is under pressure to solve this case but when the police find some macbre items in the house it takes a drastic turn into the mystic world of the occult. Also, how is it related to Lucienne’s and Lina’s stories? Well that is for you to find out…
Oh how I devoured this tale and let all its beauty saturate my soul. Lina and Maxine I fell for, each for different reasons but I resonated to them both. Lina is a poor tortured soul and I remember being that odd one out growing up and it's horrific. Maxine was true and loyal and I loved her. Gina was also a brilliant character and it will be interesting to see if it's around her the series is centred on. Although I loved the characters for me (for once!) it was the story that shocked and awed me. How trauma can live through generations and reverberate so strongly. I am not normally one for occult witchy books but this worms it's way into my head and put a spell on me. But it was the psychological aspects of it that fascinated me. The past affecting the future, the pressures placed on women, the manipulation to name but a few themes.
This was a beautifully woven book and the design reflects this! How pretty is this book? That cover and the sprayed edges! Just take my money now Orenda.
Let me know if you read this beauty as I need to talk to people about it!!!
Three women, three timelines. The historical mixed with the present. Life versus death. When a former schoolteacher is found on her doorstep covered in blood she utters one sentence ‘Get Detective Grant’. Maxine is just about to return from her maternity leave but returns early as the woman is her old teacher. When they enter the house they find the husband brutally murdered. Maxine is under pressure to solve this case but when the police find some macbre items in the house it takes a drastic turn into the mystic world of the occult. Also, how is it related to Lucienne’s and Lina’s stories? Well that is for you to find out…
Oh how I devoured this tale and let all its beauty saturate my soul. Lina and Maxine I fell for, each for different reasons but I resonated to them both. Lina is a poor tortured soul and I remember being that odd one out growing up and it's horrific. Maxine was true and loyal and I loved her. Gina was also a brilliant character and it will be interesting to see if it's around her the series is centred on. Although I loved the characters for me (for once!) it was the story that shocked and awed me. How trauma can live through generations and reverberate so strongly. I am not normally one for occult witchy books but this worms it's way into my head and put a spell on me. But it was the psychological aspects of it that fascinated me. The past affecting the future, the pressures placed on women, the manipulation to name but a few themes.
This was a beautifully woven book and the design reflects this! How pretty is this book? That cover and the sprayed edges! Just take my money now Orenda.
Let me know if you read this beauty as I need to talk to people about it!!!