Scan barcode
ashleyvaleria's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
i read a few bad reviews before picking up this book and that usually affects my judgement but i for one very much enjoyed this book. very hard to put down and i couldn’t stop reading. i love the greek tragedy aspect of this authors writing which is what drew me to his other book The Silent Patient which i loved as well. i liked the little cameo with Theo, was a little shocked cause i didn’t know they were interconnected so it caught me off guard. ending is reminiscent to me of a Scream film. i guessed the killer but the backstory and motive was a complete shock to me. i don’t care if the ending was abrupt and kind of out of nowhere cause my jaw was dropped and i was entertained and that’s all i need from a book at this point. only criticism is that many characters were introduced for no reason. the story could’ve done without their introduction and plot lines, kind of pointless to the story. but ending tied it all together for me and i loved it. his writing is great. would definitely read another one of his books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
lifeofchrstnlvly's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.0
It’s important to keep looking ahead. You mustn’t forever look back, over your shoulder. Think about the future.
Well, I didn’t see that one coming. It caught me a bit off-guard (only a bit because I suspected all of them ha ha ha).
I enjoy reading Michaelides’ books because 1) I love mystery, and 2) I like that psychology is always incorporated. However, I have yet to read a work from him that will satisfy me. He does his descriptions well (he's a good writer, no doubt about that), but the “reveal” is always unsatisfying. The ending felt rushed. I read The Silent Patient and I had the same problems.
Side note: what was the point of Henry's character? Personally, I think there will be no difference even if his character didn't exist.
I’ll still read his future books, though... because I have a lot of fun reading about crazy people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Suicide attempt
nerdyforbooks_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It’s… fine. I didn’t really love or hate this book (I know - why the 2.5 stars then?). It was just… fine.
The pacing is horrible. While it kept me going since as a thriller, you knew something was going to happen you didn’t expect, it was just all over. Things would get moving with the case but then omg we got an entire chapter of our MC spiraling into depression over their spouse. It was just absolutely overwhelming. I also thought the book about dark academia, cults, Greek history, murders, etc would… I dunno, focus on those more?? Yet it all almost seemed like an afterthought to whatever point it was trying to reach.
Definitely not something I’ll pick up again. Don’t hate that I read it, didn’t struggle to finish it, but omg just not amazing. At least the twist that made absolutely no sense was exciting? I guess.
The pacing is horrible. While it kept me going since as a thriller, you knew something was going to happen you didn’t expect, it was just all over. Things would get moving with the case but then omg we got an entire chapter of our MC spiraling into depression over their spouse. It was just absolutely overwhelming. I also thought the book about dark academia, cults, Greek history, murders, etc would… I dunno, focus on those more?? Yet it all almost seemed like an afterthought to whatever point it was trying to reach.
Definitely not something I’ll pick up again. Don’t hate that I read it, didn’t struggle to finish it, but omg just not amazing. At least the twist that made absolutely no sense was exciting? I guess.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Murder
annagerman's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
2.0
Highly disappointing, especially after this author's debut. Uneven pacing with a rushed conclusion, mostly bland writing, many underdeveloped characters. The twist came out of nowhere - it wasn't properly foreshadowed and makes no sense in retrospect.
I got in on the premise of dark academia aesthetic and possible greek mythology inspired cults and group therapy. I recieved none of this. The "dark academia" aesthetic felt like an after thought - it wasn't really utilize or ingrained into the story, it was just thrown in there for the added drama. Same for the therapy aspect, it wasn't essential to the plot like in "the silent patient".
Almost DNFed about a third in, but the short chapters and the simple writing actually made it quick enough to be tolerable.
<Spoiler> the only part I really enjoyed were Sebastian's letters, which were better wtitten, darker and more intriguing than the actual book
I got in on the premise of dark academia aesthetic and possible greek mythology inspired cults and group therapy. I recieved none of this. The "dark academia" aesthetic felt like an after thought - it wasn't really utilize or ingrained into the story, it was just thrown in there for the added drama. Same for the therapy aspect, it wasn't essential to the plot like in "the silent patient".
Almost DNFed about a third in, but the short chapters and the simple writing actually made it quick enough to be tolerable.
<Spoiler> the only part I really enjoyed were Sebastian's letters, which were better wtitten, darker and more intriguing than the actual book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
alexkudej's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Pedophilia, Blood, Grief, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death and Suicide attempt
joperceptions's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
This book wasn’t bad (I’m being kind, it was quite bad). I think stepping into it after the silent patient, meant I had my own idea of the way the author may have set it up and I was right in a sense. It follows a similar vibe in regards to a mystery with a plot
twist. The writing style was easy enough to follow for me. The only comment on that is, I feel as though the character development for supporting characters (important ones too) was just not as strong as it should have been at points. I found myself confused on who certain people were once I hit the end of the book, but that could easily just be a me issue. I’m not going back to check but I feel like it had some minor plot holes, or at least things that weren’t wrapped up in a way that was at all satisfying, nor helpful to answering any questions that the plot twist may have evoked. I feel like the reveal was dropped and somewhere it was forgotten that we’d still want to hear the aftermath (beyond the few pages of whatever we got). And also understand more about wtf that plot
Line was even about and elaborating on it more?? But we got none of that. It’s not a VERY BAD book, it’s actually a really good concept and I like the authors writing style in a general consensus, i just think this book could have been articulated a bit better and it would have been a really good read.
⚠️SPOILER AHEAD⚠️
I really just don’t think Zoe being the killer made any sense to me, the whole ending sort of felt like it was decided last minute. I don’t feel like it had any build up, or things that happened prior to even create a sense of suspicion toward her at all, which sort of made the reveal, shocking yes, but a bit less interesting. TW: (pedophilia, grooming) Also the lack of conversation on the fact that Sebastian groomed a minor, was so incredibly concerning to me. Like i understand it was brought up mid “fight scene” or whatever that last bit was. But I still feel like that bomb was just dropped and not at all critiqued besides her being upset that zoe and Sebastian weren’t who she thought they were. Not the literal fact that Zoe was a minor, a literal CHILD when all of that shit happened. It was not approached in a way that was appropriate in my eyes.
twist. The writing style was easy enough to follow for me. The only comment on that is, I feel as though the character development for supporting characters (important ones too) was just not as strong as it should have been at points. I found myself confused on who certain people were once I hit the end of the book, but that could easily just be a me issue. I’m not going back to check but I feel like it had some minor plot holes, or at least things that weren’t wrapped up in a way that was at all satisfying, nor helpful to answering any questions that the plot twist may have evoked. I feel like the reveal was dropped and somewhere it was forgotten that we’d still want to hear the aftermath (beyond the few pages of whatever we got). And also understand more about wtf that plot
Line was even about and elaborating on it more?? But we got none of that. It’s not a VERY BAD book, it’s actually a really good concept and I like the authors writing style in a general consensus, i just think this book could have been articulated a bit better and it would have been a really good read.
⚠️SPOILER AHEAD⚠️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
stephmcnutt28's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
If you’re looking for dark academia books, this checks lots of boxes. Cambridge setting. Greek mythology. Shady professors. It’s all there. Unfortunately, that’s what carried this book along.
Characters: To be honest, the characters fell flat for me. Obviously the each had flaws, and there was an attempt to make those flaws a part of the story, but Mariana came off as whiny, petulant, and childish instead of tortured and in a healing process. Everything about her actions felt overly exaggerated.
Plot: the plot was fine until the twist. It felt like nothing really lined up to make the twist seem plausible. It felt more like playing a game with a three year old and partway through the game they change the rules without explanation. The way some of the loose ends were tied up felt hasty and amateur. I just didn’t feel satisfied at the ending.
I did think it was neat how the author tied into The Silent Patient.
Overall, this book did not live up to the social media hype for me.
Characters: To be honest, the characters fell flat for me. Obviously the each had flaws, and there was an attempt to make those flaws a part of the story, but Mariana came off as whiny, petulant, and childish instead of tortured and in a healing process. Everything about her actions felt overly exaggerated.
Plot: the plot was fine until the twist. It felt like nothing really lined up to make the twist seem plausible. It felt more like playing a game with a three year old and partway through the game they change the rules without explanation. The way some of the loose ends were tied up felt hasty and amateur. I just didn’t feel satisfied at the ending.
I did think it was neat how the author tied into The Silent Patient.
Overall, this book did not live up to the social media hype for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
sawyernarro's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
idkhow2ratebooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Stalking, and Suicide attempt
takemetomilos's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Wasn’t as jazzed as in the silent patient. Was pretty sure about halfway through that zoe had to be involved somehow/was the most promising suspect which was disappointed. Couldn’t be sure till the end but yea. the twist wasn’t as good as the silent patient although I was not expecting Sebastian’s involvement- I gave up on that suspicion pretty early once they confirmed they found the body. I guess I liked the inclusion of his passages though. I was very sure it was not him talking to us
Just didn’t wow me which I think these books rely on to be amazing
Just didn’t wow me which I think these books rely on to be amazing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, and Suicide attempt