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3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
What would you do to disappear from your real life, while your online persona lives on without you? That's just what Tess decides to do, with the help of Adrian's website that finds Leila to do the job. Read my review of this social networking thriller here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2014/07/24/oh-the-tangled-wwweb-we-weave/
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the moral questioning
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
3.5
I was turned on to Kiss Me First when several people on Twitter were calling it this summer's Gone Girl. Whilst I didn't love the latter novel as much as most people, I love Gillian Flynn's writing and so that comparison, combined with a *super* creepy book trailer led me to grab Moggach's novel from the library.
It tells the story of Leila, a detached young woman who becomes involved in a rather intense online community, ultimately agreeing to take on the job of pretending to be another young woman, Tess, after she commits suicide, in order to prevent her family and loved ones being too hurt by her actions. As one can imagine, this doesn't go according to plan.
The novel is narrated by Leila, after the events of the novel take place, as she recounts, and to some extent explains, her actions. If I'm honest, I didn't really connect to Leila who despite her limited, and to some extent sad, life experience (she barely knows what's going on outside of her bedroom); holds herself as other (and more superior) to those around her. I much preferred the early part of the novel where Tess played an important role, as her character and life were a lot more vibrant-and I found myself sympathising with her a lot more.
Despite this, Moggach was very successful in carefully building tension within the narrative, especially with the introduction of one of Tess's old lovers, who Leila engages in regular correspondence with and with whom her two internet identities begin to become merged and she begins to become convinced that he is also developing feelings for her-and not the woman he thinks she is.
Although I didn't really connect with elements of the plot, nor the main protaganist, I did enjoy Moggach's writing and will definitely keep an eye out for her next novel.
I was turned on to Kiss Me First when several people on Twitter were calling it this summer's Gone Girl. Whilst I didn't love the latter novel as much as most people, I love Gillian Flynn's writing and so that comparison, combined with a *super* creepy book trailer led me to grab Moggach's novel from the library.
It tells the story of Leila, a detached young woman who becomes involved in a rather intense online community, ultimately agreeing to take on the job of pretending to be another young woman, Tess, after she commits suicide, in order to prevent her family and loved ones being too hurt by her actions. As one can imagine, this doesn't go according to plan.
The novel is narrated by Leila, after the events of the novel take place, as she recounts, and to some extent explains, her actions. If I'm honest, I didn't really connect to Leila who despite her limited, and to some extent sad, life experience (she barely knows what's going on outside of her bedroom); holds herself as other (and more superior) to those around her. I much preferred the early part of the novel where Tess played an important role, as her character and life were a lot more vibrant-and I found myself sympathising with her a lot more.
Despite this, Moggach was very successful in carefully building tension within the narrative, especially with the introduction of one of Tess's old lovers, who Leila engages in regular correspondence with and with whom her two internet identities begin to become merged and she begins to become convinced that he is also developing feelings for her-and not the woman he thinks she is.
Although I didn't really connect with elements of the plot, nor the main protaganist, I did enjoy Moggach's writing and will definitely keep an eye out for her next novel.
An interesting thriller/mystery type. A look into the crazy internet scammers/impersonators you hear about but don't often come across but with an interesting storyline!
A cut above usual thrillers with the story and background of the narrator revealed by degrees, keeping the reader on edge. A couple of the revelations actually made me gasp in surprise. I will look out for more of Moggach's work in future; I'm interested to see where she can go.
When I bought this book I wasn't 100% sure what it was about. The synopsis on Amazon isn't very informative but for 99p I couldn't not buy it.
It turns out that the book is about Leila, an introvert who has always avoided people other than her mother, who, after the death of her mother, becomes engrossed in website named Red Pill where she meets a man called Adrian who asks her to help a woman named Tess as she wishes to commit suicide but doesn't want her friends and family to be upset. Leila is to learn every small detail about Tess's life so she can carry on her Facebook page and send emails to friends and family so they think that she is still alive.
I found it difficult to get into this book and, at first, reading it seemed like a bit of a drag, however as I got closer the end the book came to life and I found it difficult to put down. The biggest problem with the book is the long chapters, some about 50 pages, and (although I'd probably read that much in one sitting anyway) it really put me off sitting down and reading. I didn't find the story very believable and I questioned both Leila's and Tess's intentions and actions through out the book.
Overall I am giving this book 3 stars as it was a good, well-written book and I would recommend you read it.
It turns out that the book is about Leila, an introvert who has always avoided people other than her mother, who, after the death of her mother, becomes engrossed in website named Red Pill where she meets a man called Adrian who asks her to help a woman named Tess as she wishes to commit suicide but doesn't want her friends and family to be upset. Leila is to learn every small detail about Tess's life so she can carry on her Facebook page and send emails to friends and family so they think that she is still alive.
I found it difficult to get into this book and, at first, reading it seemed like a bit of a drag, however as I got closer the end the book came to life and I found it difficult to put down. The biggest problem with the book is the long chapters, some about 50 pages, and (although I'd probably read that much in one sitting anyway) it really put me off sitting down and reading. I didn't find the story very believable and I questioned both Leila's and Tess's intentions and actions through out the book.
Overall I am giving this book 3 stars as it was a good, well-written book and I would recommend you read it.
The start of the book was slow going and there was just too much time taken up with all the details of Tess' life. Once the pace picked up a bit I enjoyed how the story unravelled. The book was well written and enjoyable, but five years after it was written there is nothing original or ground breaking about the events in thus story.
Still not quite sure what to make of this one. Found it hard to warm to the main character, or get a clear picture in my head of who she was. The plot was not that believable (or am I being naive here?). 2nd book in a row where I was never quite sure where the story had jumped to - retelling a past event or describing the present.