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_yulia_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
hollystrev's review against another edition
5.0
Not his best
After reading the Helen grace series I was a Little disappointed with this stand alone one. It was thrilling in some parts but wasn't his best. I'd still recommend and it's worth reading but don't expect it too be as good as his series.
After reading the Helen grace series I was a Little disappointed with this stand alone one. It was thrilling in some parts but wasn't his best. I'd still recommend and it's worth reading but don't expect it too be as good as his series.
mydearwatsonbooks's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Blood, Gore, Body shaming, Torture, Murder, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Grief, Stalking, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Misogyny
Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Infertility, Racism, Vomit, and Drug use
Stillbirthxanabertolo's review
3.0
3,5*
Gostei, mas fica aquém da série Helen Grace.
Esperava mais daquele final, esperava, pelo menos, que as motivações fossem fortes e justificadas, mas essa foi uma grande falha neste livro.
No entanto lê-se bem, como todos os outros livros do autor.
Gostei, mas fica aquém da série Helen Grace.
Esperava mais daquele final, esperava, pelo menos, que as motivações fossem fortes e justificadas, mas essa foi uma grande falha neste livro.
No entanto lê-se bem, como todos os outros livros do autor.
a_robin_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
---------------------------------------------
Information:
- Read a copy from the library & Listened to the audiobook from Storytel
---------------------------------------------
Review:
Nope, not for me.
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Review previously placed on my blog:
Review previously placed on my blog:
I'm currently reading A gift for dying by M.J. Arlidge. I'm reading a Dutch copy from my library and listening to the audiobook at the same time.
I'm trying to read more detecitve/police officer thrillers, because I love those and not domestic thrillers. This one I saw at my library and have seen the author around. It already started out really suspencefull and love it so far.
I didn't really like this book. The concept just wasn't great and it actually annoyed me a lot of the times. I think I will try a different book by this author. This one just wasn't for me.
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diary_of_a_reading_addict's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first M.J Arlidge book and it won't be the last. It kept me reading and wanting to see what was happening with Kassie and Adam.
I wasn't sure what to expect given the blurb but it was so much better than I was expecting. It's not overly supernaturally driven which I liked but what there is, is done well.
I wasn't sure what to expect given the blurb but it was so much better than I was expecting. It's not overly supernaturally driven which I liked but what there is, is done well.
ishita_arya's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
https://randomreviewndrants.wordpress.com/2020/09/22/a-gift-for-dying-m-j-arlidge/
The back of this book captured my attention, and the inside did not disappoint. The concept of knowing one’s fate has always fascinated me, but this book made me realize that knowing everything isn’t actually a gift (that’s one clever title)
Not the genre I usually go for but this did kept me on the edge of my bed ( …get it edge of your seat :D) . I was up all night riding a roller coaster of emotions that made me smile, cry and laugh through the tears.
The intensity kept on increasing as the book progressed and then ended in a final showdown, that did not disappoint.
I managed to make a connection with the characters, and got invested in their lives. I was hooked till the end and disappointed that that was the last I would ever know of them.
The story is written in multiple points of views and got a little confusing at the start, but it was worth the wait as soon as I remembered the name of multiple characters.
Soon I learnt to appreciate the different points of views as it gave a clearer picture, and helped establish the actual events, without the tainted eyes of one character’s perspective. This gave more insight into the psychology of a particular character and made them seem real.
M.J Arlidge does a brilliant job with the characters and the plot, capturing the readers attention effectively. I absolutely recommend you give this book a try
https://randomreviewndrants.wordpress.com/2020/09/22/a-gift-for-dying-m-j-arlidge/
The back of this book captured my attention, and the inside did not disappoint. The concept of knowing one’s fate has always fascinated me, but this book made me realize that knowing everything isn’t actually a gift (that’s one clever title)
Not the genre I usually go for but this did kept me on the edge of my bed ( …get it edge of your seat :D) . I was up all night riding a roller coaster of emotions that made me smile, cry and laugh through the tears.
The intensity kept on increasing as the book progressed and then ended in a final showdown, that did not disappoint.
I managed to make a connection with the characters, and got invested in their lives. I was hooked till the end and disappointed that that was the last I would ever know of them.
The story is written in multiple points of views and got a little confusing at the start, but it was worth the wait as soon as I remembered the name of multiple characters.
Soon I learnt to appreciate the different points of views as it gave a clearer picture, and helped establish the actual events, without the tainted eyes of one character’s perspective. This gave more insight into the psychology of a particular character and made them seem real.
M.J Arlidge does a brilliant job with the characters and the plot, capturing the readers attention effectively. I absolutely recommend you give this book a try
itsallaboutthebooksuk's review against another edition
4.0
A Gift For Dying is M. J. Arlidge’s first stand alone thriller after his hugely successful Helen Grace series and when I heard about it I couldn’t help being excited, I love the Helen Grace series so it was a given I would read this.
Adam Brandt is a forensic psychologist, he has a loving wife, a baby on the way and a thriving business. When he comes across 15 year old Kassie, a girl who is troubled and very much on her own he feels compelled to help the young girl.
Kassie was an absolutely fascinating character, she has the ability to look into peoples eyes and see when and how they are going to die. She doesn’t like this gift as some may call it, it’s more of a curse and Kassie tries hard to not look at people which is obviously quite difficult. I instantly took to Kassie, she’s vulnerable and lonely but as you get to know her you see she is determined and has a real fight about her.
Adam was another great character, he’s a professional man and tries to help people. He’s a scientific man so when he comes across Kassie it’s hard for him to believe her gift, he’s more inclined to think it’s psychological and tries to help but as time goes on it becomes apparent that there may be some truth in what Kassie is saying and seeing.
A Gift For Dying is very much one of those books that you can’t just pick up and put down again, with fairly short chapters each one leaves you wanting to read on and the more you read the more you need to find out what’s going on, it’s addictive. I found myself reading while I cooked or was sat waiting in the car, I had to know what was going to happen next.
With a gruesome killer that seriously gave me the shivers, honestly this killer may give you nightmares, this book is fantastic. It’s gripping, thrilling, terrifying and just downright brilliant.
Adam Brandt is a forensic psychologist, he has a loving wife, a baby on the way and a thriving business. When he comes across 15 year old Kassie, a girl who is troubled and very much on her own he feels compelled to help the young girl.
Kassie was an absolutely fascinating character, she has the ability to look into peoples eyes and see when and how they are going to die. She doesn’t like this gift as some may call it, it’s more of a curse and Kassie tries hard to not look at people which is obviously quite difficult. I instantly took to Kassie, she’s vulnerable and lonely but as you get to know her you see she is determined and has a real fight about her.
Adam was another great character, he’s a professional man and tries to help people. He’s a scientific man so when he comes across Kassie it’s hard for him to believe her gift, he’s more inclined to think it’s psychological and tries to help but as time goes on it becomes apparent that there may be some truth in what Kassie is saying and seeing.
A Gift For Dying is very much one of those books that you can’t just pick up and put down again, with fairly short chapters each one leaves you wanting to read on and the more you read the more you need to find out what’s going on, it’s addictive. I found myself reading while I cooked or was sat waiting in the car, I had to know what was going to happen next.
With a gruesome killer that seriously gave me the shivers, honestly this killer may give you nightmares, this book is fantastic. It’s gripping, thrilling, terrifying and just downright brilliant.
annisavalerie's review against another edition
2.0
I think this book has a pleasant style of writing and because of the short chapters, it reads away easily. It's a thriller and the mystery written from different points of view holds the attention of the reader. I'm glad there's more (main)characters in this book that are more likeable because one of them annoyed the shit out of me at some points. Adam kept making unprofessional and unethical choices eventhough he is a seasoned psychologist who should know better. For example, i just couldn't deal with the fact he let one of his clients, who is also involved in several murder cases, stay at his home with him and his wife while they are going through a really rough time in their life... just because... of a gut feeling they have about her and they worried for her safety (and no one will ever understand!!)? Like no. Just.. no. And for that, his marriage, career and overall reputation are all at stake. His life continues to fall apart and still he keeps making these choices, knowing well that these choices will only make things worse. Anyway, I'm a sucker for a murder mystery where the police investigation is also part of the story so i liked that part of the story and the plot. Eventhough the action scenes a bit too long-winded and detailed. I can handle a little blood and mess, but I kept thinking "come on, what's gonna happen next?". The 'plottwist' about who turns out to be the murderer was entertaining. But the ending was long and the epilogue unnecessary. It's an okay read for in between, but no more than 2.5 stars for me.
sanne_r_14's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0