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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
slow-paced
So, I'm sure I'm missing some deeper, perceptive meaning to this novel but I will admit, I missed it from this one. I gave it two stars because I love Starling's writing style, it's full of emphasis and care, but most of the time reading this, I felt I was losing my attachment to the story. I think what Starling set to do, she did, the only problem for me, it made it difficult to read and attach to. For example, Jane's ramblings and her losing grip on truth and falsehoods, her difficulty with emotions, it all works for the theme and what I think Starling wanted to present to us as a reader, but I found Jane difficult and tiresome eventually because of it. As if her character strengths and development were stagnant or worked only really against her. I almost felt as if I was reading from the perspective of Jane disassociated, the feelings were being described but not truly present, clinical and prescribed. This truly is my least favorite review I have written because I wanted so badly to love this novel, it seems so eerie and dark which at times, it was! But generally, it felt confusing and emotional with a lack of direction, in my opinion. Interactions throughout felt almost mundane at times, like Jane herself lost focus on the story happening. The compelling element to Jane was just missing for me. I will however compliment Starling's style again as she did give this story a very redeeming quality in style. I just found myself more frustrated rather than intrigued for much of it. BUT, it was entertaining enough at frequent intervals to make it worth finishing obviously so this is not to say it's undeserving of a read, just felt unpolished. But I want to try more from Starling as, like I mentioned, the writing style itself is impressive.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really like the mood and atmosphere of this book, but some of the twists and turns were too far fetch and it made the story as a whole difficult to understand. Still a fun, dark, gory read. Great for spooky season!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
•3.5/5 (rounded up to 4)
this book was presented to me as a crimson peak inspired book which is what drew me to it in the first place and which also made me very excited for it considering that is one of my top ten movies. it did succeed in giving me those same vibes but with a black magic twist and i was so incredibly here for it and couldn’t put the book down. then i reached the last third of the book and we spiraled out of control quite literally. the buildup we got before we descended into madness was great and i couldn’t wait to see what happened when jane tried to fix things and i was even enjoying the descent for a bit but then it just kept going and going and going to the point where i was so confused that i couldn’t figure out what we were actually doing or what was happening anymore and i just wanted it to stop. which is how i know the author was trying to get across that was how jane was feeling but it got painful for me to read eventually. also, the ending for me was just alright. i was sort of like ‘huh that’s what all this work was for?’ and i was kind of disappointed with it.
this book was presented to me as a crimson peak inspired book which is what drew me to it in the first place and which also made me very excited for it considering that is one of my top ten movies. it did succeed in giving me those same vibes but with a black magic twist and i was so incredibly here for it and couldn’t put the book down. then i reached the last third of the book and we spiraled out of control quite literally. the buildup we got before we descended into madness was great and i couldn’t wait to see what happened when jane tried to fix things and i was even enjoying the descent for a bit but then it just kept going and going and going to the point where i was so confused that i couldn’t figure out what we were actually doing or what was happening anymore and i just wanted it to stop. which is how i know the author was trying to get across that was how jane was feeling but it got painful for me to read eventually. also, the ending for me was just alright. i was sort of like ‘huh that’s what all this work was for?’ and i was kind of disappointed with it.
dark
mysterious
medium-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
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Atmospheric, dark, gory. Simultaneously felt like post-WWI England and Victorian England but don't think too hard about that. The Crimson Peak comparisons were very accurate but the author goes metaphysical in ways that really make you think. Enjoyed the confusing-ness of it all, will try more books by this author.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced