Reviews

The Fake by Zoe Whittall

devyn_everts's review against another edition

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

5.0

bibi003's review against another edition

3.0

A solidly ok story. Audiobook narration was well done. It was what it was. No big surprises or revelations. I liked that it was set in Toronto. It was quick and easily consumed.

nini23's review against another edition

3.25

Would have liked more in-depth characterization.
I can't feel sorry for a guy that thinks with his penis.
Something was tickling my brain about a Canadian woman who fakes having cancer so looked up and found the case - Ashley Anne Kirilow https://www.thestar.com/news/crime/woman-who-faked-cancer-will-spend-the-weekend-in-jail-police-say/article_738136b2-2cd9-53a4-a90a-46b6e092a86b.html

The point that Whittall is making is a gracious one - we all have something that we want from each other, there are no absolute victims. There are those with hero complexes, for instance. I think it's gracious because the author has seemingly encountered a Cammie-like character in her life. As this person and her motives were seemingly opaque to the pen wielder, the character is written as such - defiant, sparkling, chameleon.

The denouement was clumsily done though, especially for Gibson. 

pandagirlmb's review against another edition

tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

lifesarosch's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Interesting premise but the ending fell flat 

ilikeshortchapters's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

brizzeezy's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Interesting premise, and the audio book was fun to listen to. The drama did get pretty intense but then fall a little flat, in my opinion. The overall story was great, I was just hoping for a bit more of everything. However, it was a good length to read in between longer books, and it did scratch the itch to read a thriller/suspense book that wasn't over the top and cliche like a lot of others.

brandinos_life's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

5.0

desertbzz's review against another edition

tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

vanlaw's review

4.0

No one is that likeable or sympathetic, and yet the novel was engrossing at watching how people can be manipulated by a con artist.