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passionatereader78's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Grief
fmqs96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The more I sit with this story, the less I like it. I may have been to abrupt with writing the review, but I guess that’s part of the charm: you are so caught up with the twist that it is all you can think about. And while I do stand by it: the plot twist is incredible, there is one thing that keeps growing my dissatisfaction.
It is pretty clear from a little bit before the middle of the book that Zoe has something to do with the crimes. And that is not a problem. Having Sebastian as the voice behind the letters is not a problem. What keeps getting to me is how much of a loss opportunity it is to not mirror Sebastian and Professor Fosca in a deeper level. While it is displayed and recognized, the abuse and manipulation that both men inflict on the young women of their lives is despicable, and yet, we don’t see the truth depth of it.
Thus, the ending feels rushed and incomplete. I keep thinking about The Maidens and the more I do, the less I like it. It is not a bad book per se. The story is intriguing and the idea behind it is pretty engaging, but when you stop to breathe and ignore the emotions that come with the twist, you realize that the story is not nearly as well developed as it could have been.
Maybe he will hit the nail again with The Fury.
———
After reading The Silent Patient, I felt like Alex Michaelides could not replicate the same sense of dread and nervousness as his debut novel. I was (
The constant state of urgency Mariana finds herself in, entices the reader to feel desperate, confused, and on high alert. The most compelling aspect of Michaelides' narration style is the similarities in speech for characters depending on context; it is perfect for keeping the reader uncertain of each character's true intentions. Furthermore, it is the perfect tool to manipulate the audience.
After The Silent Patient, I began The Maidens ready to notice every detail, to not allow myself to be fooled again by his carefully threaded narrative, alas, in my endless desperation to not miss anything, I looked too closely. Thus, I could have never predicted the last chapter from Part 5 or the entirety of Part 6. While the plot twist is satisfying, believable, and shocking, the true star of the show is the lingering sense of discomfort that is perpetuated from the first page.
While I do believe that some plot point were not entirely needed, or perhaps just not well closed at the end, the narrative is solid and engaging. Michaelides' writing is definitely to my taste and I cannot wait to read his newest release, The Fury, and see how he manages to surprise me this time around.
Graphic: Violence, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Grief
thepurplepixel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
allidone's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not sure if I liked it? If it was good? Right now I’m at a 4 but that might change.
As a therapist, it’s wild that she didn’t see any of what was going on.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Infertility
meeklovestoread's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
hazybee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Death of parent
lisasaurusreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence and Murder
cinderpot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
dblue236's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book vaguely ties in with this author's The Silent Patient, but you do not have to have read that book in order to follow this one, or vice versa. It amounts to a brief mention of a couple of characters who are included in the other book that doesn't relate to the story, and both books can be read as standalones. Having said that, I definitely felt The Silent Patient was the stronger of the two. This one certainly wasn't anything like BAD, but the pace was so painfully slow I struggled to follow the plot for about the first half of the book. It did finally pick up toward the end and it turned out to be well worth sticking it out, but of the three books I've read by this author so far, this was definitely my least favorite. It's still worth reading, but maybe don't make it the starting point by which you judge the author's work.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Grief, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Sexual content
annies0627's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship