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jesswho's review
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Confinement
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Gun violence, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Self harm
missgrangerr's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
1.0
Feel fooled. This book is advertised as a mystery / puzzle and yet it is not about that at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Mental illness
cde10's review
adventurous
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Violence and Murder
jakemitton's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Overall The Puzzle Master was a decent read. In the acknowledgements Danielle Trussoni thanks Dan Brown for “advice and inspiration” and you can really feel the Dan Brownyness of this book.
the ending was kinda stupid. I think that there should have been some follow through based on the fact that the circle that the tech guy used to become immortal was the demon one but that wasn’t referenced. This ending brought it down at least half a star for me.
Edit: also the writing is not good. There is one section in particular where the author cannot figure out whether she is writing in the present or past tense and this almost made me DNF.
Edit: also the writing is not good. There is one section in particular where the author cannot figure out whether she is writing in the present or past tense and this almost made me DNF.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Suicide
paronomaniac's review
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
2.0
My goodness, this book is boring. The writer commits a cardinal sin; instead of showing the reader her story, she just tells it by having the protagonist go to different people to learn more of the story. It’s like the dullest TED Talk.
Better off reading The Da Vinci Code again; at least that book has some action.
Better off reading The Da Vinci Code again; at least that book has some action.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Suicide
augdafrog's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
1.25
though the plot was fun (for the first third?), the characters were utterly ridiculous. which, at times, is fun and adds humor to the story (whether or not this is intentional). also, about halfway through the book the story goes completely off the rails in a direction i cant say i enjoyed. the author attempts to poke fun at the dan brown style mystery, but ends up tripping into all of his pitfalls
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Murder, Suicide, and Mental illness
leslie_overbookedsocialworker's review
dark
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? Yes
3.0
The Puzzle Master wasn’t the book for me but others may enjoy it more. Many people love books like The DaVinci Code, and they may also enjoy this one. Based on the premise, I expected a book focused on the main character, a puzzle creating and solving genius, becoming involved with solving a mysterious crime. There were other mysterious/ supernatural factors at play that were overly complicated for me, and the supernatural thriller/ horror elements also made it not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Death, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Murder, Body horror, and Car accident
amhud1030's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Mental illness, Gun violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Murder
bibliophiles_united's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
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