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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
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
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
2.75 stars
πππ
πππ
π§ My thoughts
This was such a disappointing read. The first book I read from this author was "The Silent Patient" and I loved it. "The Maidens" was alright. Although it was not as good as the first one, it was still entertaining to read. This one felt almost like another person wrote it. It could easily be considered a debut because the writing was so amateur and unbearable.
I was already at 50% of the book, and the book went nowhere. I only got a bit hooked around Part 3. The characters were not developed at all. I didn't feel anything for any character. With such a complex plot, I was amazed that he went nowhere with around 350 pages. I couldn't understand how this book got published because it reads like a draft, and no one edited it.
I kind of got what the author tried to achieve, but I think he failed miserably at it. The idea was original and interesting. The book should feel like A Greek tragedy and read like a play. It should be artistic, slow-paced, funny, satirical, and unpredictable, but almost none of that was achieved. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone; read his other books because they are definitely better.
π What I like
- Original idea and interesting plot
- The twists are quite ok and unpredictable
π What I don't like
- Unbearable and amateur writing style
- Zero character study
- Unconvincing twists
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF at 46%... What a drag I couldn't continue all the characters are so boring
I'm gunna double down on my earlier comment: DAAAAAAAANG! And the connections between Michaelides novels. *Mind Blown* Unreliable narrorators are so entertaining!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
β¨ βOn a private island, every secret feels louder β and every silence more dangerous.β
π Contemporary, Greek island (isolated setting)
Michaelides crafts a modern locked-room mystery brimming with atmosphere and tension. When a group of friends retreats to a secluded island, betrayal, obsession, and vengeance unravel in twisting layers. The novel blends Greek tragedy with sleek, contemporary suspense, asking what we reveal β and conceal β when survival depends on perception. For readers of Lucy Foley or Agatha Christie, this is a sharp, propulsive read with a sinister undercurrent.
β οΈ Content Warnings: Murder, manipulation, toxic relationships, violence.
πΆ Spice Level: 1/5 (light romantic/sexual references, not graphic).
π Contemporary, Greek island (isolated setting)
Michaelides crafts a modern locked-room mystery brimming with atmosphere and tension. When a group of friends retreats to a secluded island, betrayal, obsession, and vengeance unravel in twisting layers. The novel blends Greek tragedy with sleek, contemporary suspense, asking what we reveal β and conceal β when survival depends on perception. For readers of Lucy Foley or Agatha Christie, this is a sharp, propulsive read with a sinister undercurrent.
β οΈ Content Warnings: Murder, manipulation, toxic relationships, violence.
πΆ Spice Level: 1/5 (light romantic/sexual references, not graphic).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Drug use, Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Gaslighting
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
it wasn't predictable per se, but I had an inclination of the direction it was going to take; even so, the last 10% hooked me.