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paxbb's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Grief, and Death
_maia3_'s review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I'm rating this a very safe 2.5 because whilst I did enjoy the book, a lot of it felt a little off in a bad way.
Either this reads better in its native language, or the writing is by design a little amateur-ish. Further, the characterisation is lacking (which is tentatively fine, one can only explore so much in a single novel), and this leads to emotional beats lacking punch. The actual set-up for the murders is rather unrealistic - I cannot fathom how any of the students thought staying at a remote island for a week with no contact or escape was a good idea, even if there wasn't a murderer around.
It's clear that this was written for people who are already deeply entrenched in the mystery genre, as a lot of the novel references mystery tropes and this specifically guides the characters in who they suspect/ what they think - but the psychological aspect wasn't very much explored and I think that was a pity.
As for the final twist, it was unexpected-yet-earned, although the overall explanation was a quite convoluted, which meant I didn't feel like much could have been pieced together until the author decided that it was time to give everything out.
Overall, it was a good book which was worth the afternoon I read it in, but it does feel like it may have benefited from a couple more drafts, as it feels too loose and messy. Read at your own peril?
Either this reads better in its native language, or the writing is by design a little amateur-ish. Further, the characterisation is lacking (which is tentatively fine, one can only explore so much in a single novel), and this leads to emotional beats lacking punch. The actual set-up for the murders is rather unrealistic - I cannot fathom how any of the students thought staying at a remote island for a week with no contact or escape was a good idea, even if there wasn't a murderer around.
It's clear that this was written for people who are already deeply entrenched in the mystery genre, as a lot of the novel references mystery tropes and this specifically guides the characters in who they suspect/ what they think - but the psychological aspect wasn't very much explored and I think that was a pity.
As for the final twist, it was unexpected-yet-earned, although the overall explanation was a quite convoluted, which meant I didn't feel like much could have been pieced together until the author decided that it was time to give everything out.
Overall, it was a good book which was worth the afternoon I read it in, but it does feel like it may have benefited from a couple more drafts, as it feels too loose and messy. Read at your own peril?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity
toffishay's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.75
This was a really engaging, creepy, but fun mystery! The homages to classic mysteries, especially Agatha Christie were really fun as a lover of mystery and detective media. I won't spoil the ending, but I think it's a worthwhile read if you are a fan of the genre. The only things bringing it down for me, is that I think there could have been a little more drama at the end and one character in particular, I felt was under-used.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Vomit, Confinement, Murder, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Grief, Gaslighting, Blood, Suicide, and Medical content
Minor: Rape, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Infidelity
lilifane's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am hard to please when it comes to murder mysteries. But this one pleased me.
I actually did not expect to love it this much because it took me a little time to get used to the writing at the beginning. But once I got used to it, I flew through the book. I was glued to the pages. And it's such a short book, but oh boy, so many things happen. Many gruesome things as well, so be warned. I loved the structure of the book, the two parallel plots and mysteries, the pacing. Even though I think the characters could have had more depth and backstory, I liked them all and cared for them. Even in this short amount of time. The setting and atmosphere were amazing.
And the plotting? Holy sh**!
I love when an author manages to surprise me. And although I had the right idea (literally one page before the reveal) I still would have suspected the wrong person. But looking back, everything makes so much sense. And I love that we get a complete explanation in the end, that's so satisfying.
I actually did not expect to love it this much because it took me a little time to get used to the writing at the beginning. But once I got used to it, I flew through the book. I was glued to the pages. And it's such a short book, but oh boy, so many things happen. Many gruesome things as well, so be warned. I loved the structure of the book, the two parallel plots and mysteries, the pacing. Even though I think the characters could have had more depth and backstory, I liked them all and cared for them. Even in this short amount of time. The setting and atmosphere were amazing.
And the plotting? Holy sh**!
I love when an author manages to surprise me. And although I had the right idea (literally one page before the reveal) I still would have suspected the wrong person. But looking back, everything makes so much sense. And I love that we get a complete explanation in the end, that's so satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
beca_reads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.5
A great fast paced thriller. I loved the play on Agatha Christie's 'and then there were none' with a twist. I liked how there was two separate story lines that interwove to make up the mystery in the book. The reveal caught me off guard completely and was very clever. On the other hand I did not see a need for the epilogue at the end of the book, I personally could not figure out the purpose of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, and Suicide attempt
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