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isirla's review against another edition
I just can't get into this book!! I even tried listening to it but it just sounds like a jumble of events that I can't follow.
gpapish's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.5
booksamongstfriends's review
3.0
I was really looking forward to this read. The synopsis, title, and cover had me hooked and looking forward to some noir detective vibes! Unfortunately, I fell asleep every time I picked this read up. I did not finish this book.
This book felt like it had so much potential but burned way too slow and leaned too far into its noir-esque delivery at some points. I found myself losing interest. As we’re getting a story from different perspectives, some voices are stronger than others and even more distracting. I can say the author took their time to build out small moments with the characters. But in a book already running at a snail's pace, I think some of these moments should’ve been left out.
I think this could even be more interesting as a show. But for me, getting over 50% into the book and still feeling like I’m being presented with so much irrelevant information to sift through and still very little mystery or action has occurred was very disappointing.
Thanks to NetGalley & Pulp Lit for this digital ARC.
This book felt like it had so much potential but burned way too slow and leaned too far into its noir-esque delivery at some points. I found myself losing interest. As we’re getting a story from different perspectives, some voices are stronger than others and even more distracting. I can say the author took their time to build out small moments with the characters. But in a book already running at a snail's pace, I think some of these moments should’ve been left out.
I think this could even be more interesting as a show. But for me, getting over 50% into the book and still feeling like I’m being presented with so much irrelevant information to sift through and still very little mystery or action has occurred was very disappointing.
Thanks to NetGalley & Pulp Lit for this digital ARC.
fdarlene491's review
2.0
Thank you NetGalley and Pulp Lit for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The blurb hooked me in, it sounded great and very interesting. Turned out to be a disappointment. Chatty to the point I skipped paragraphs and didn't miss any of the plot. The internal dialog went on forever and there was a ton of it. I never connected with the characters and that's not good.
#BloodandMascara #NetGalley #ColinKrainin #PulpLit #crime #1997
The blurb hooked me in, it sounded great and very interesting. Turned out to be a disappointment. Chatty to the point I skipped paragraphs and didn't miss any of the plot. The internal dialog went on forever and there was a ton of it. I never connected with the characters and that's not good.
#BloodandMascara #NetGalley #ColinKrainin #PulpLit #crime #1997
spidervan's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
While I enjoy mystery novels, I don't think I was the target audience for this book. I did enjoy that the chapters were short, the pace was fast, and the book was a quick read. However, this book was quite clearly written by a man and felt like it was targeted towards men, despite the romance subplot being more of a focus than the actual mystery itself. I could not get into the romance or find myself invested in the characters. The male character was misogynistic with no qualities that caused me to care about him as a flawed character and this was only emphasized for me by the fact that the female character felt very flat and like her main personality trait was being in love with the male character for no reason that I could understand. If you're looking for a quick mystery read with a romance element this might be for you, but I personally couldn't get into it.
ingramspark's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dark, propulsive and exciting as heck
pucks_and_paperbacks's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
i just want to add a note to say thank you netgalley & the publisher for giving me early access to this book!
yunnie's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was not the book for me. I picked it up because the premise was interesting, however I didn't connect with any of the characters and felt largely dissatisfied with the pacing of the story. I felt the ending was too rushed and too convenient to wrap up the main plot line.
monicaloves2read's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5⭐
Blood and Mascara is a Noir Mystery Thriller. I'm struggling to write this review. There were parts that I loved about this book, but there's others I didn't like so much. It took me 3 days to read it and that because the last 75% of the book was good and I couldn't wait to see what happened.
The character development was good. I was glad to see how Bronze had developed and changed by the end of the book. The action was intense at times, especially towards the end. The plot and premise of the book was excellent. All these factors I liked about the book.
What turned me off of the book was some of the writing. It was disjointed in a way. The book would be moving along and then all of the sudden something out of left field would be put in. I honestly got confused during those times. It seemed to me that there were a lot of those in the book. One chapter in particular to me should have been in the first half of the book, instead just thrown into the last 15%. It was completely out of place for me.
Tentative Publishing Date: July 9, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley, Pulplit, and Karnin for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#nergalley #pulplit #colinkarnin #bloodandmascara #arc #readaway2024 #readmytbr
Blood and Mascara is a Noir Mystery Thriller. I'm struggling to write this review. There were parts that I loved about this book, but there's others I didn't like so much. It took me 3 days to read it and that because the last 75% of the book was good and I couldn't wait to see what happened.
The character development was good. I was glad to see how Bronze had developed and changed by the end of the book. The action was intense at times, especially towards the end. The plot and premise of the book was excellent. All these factors I liked about the book.
What turned me off of the book was some of the writing. It was disjointed in a way. The book would be moving along and then all of the sudden something out of left field would be put in. I honestly got confused during those times. It seemed to me that there were a lot of those in the book. One chapter in particular to me should have been in the first half of the book, instead just thrown into the last 15%. It was completely out of place for me.
Tentative Publishing Date: July 9, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley, Pulplit, and Karnin for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#nergalley #pulplit #colinkarnin #bloodandmascara #arc #readaway2024 #readmytbr
evelyn_books's review
3.75
rating: 3.75/5
I absolutely love noir old movies, and upon coming across this book, and knowing that it's a literary thriller at that, I did NOT hesitate! And as expected, it was GOOD!
I loved the story, loved how it was so intricate and well crafted. The writing in this book absolutely delivered, reaffirming why literary fiction is one of my favorite genres. Although I don't read as much of it as I should, whenever I do, I savor every moment.
I gave this 3.75 stars solely because of the pace; the first half felt too slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the plot. However, once the story picked up, it was a CRAZY ride, and the characters and amazing storyline kept me hooked until the end. The vibes were there STRONGLY, and once the plot gained momentum, it was impossible to put the book down (i just finished it and it's 5:45 am). Despite the slow start, the emotional depth and gripping twists made it SO worth the read.
"Blood and Mascara" is a captivating murder mystery that masterfully keeps readers on their toes with its intricate details and unexpected twists. The story unfolds at a deliberate pace, urging you to take your time and delve into the layers of subtext. With its multiple timelines and perspectives, the narrative is complex and at times disorienting, but this adds to its allure. The raw, gory elements enhance the intensity, making this a brilliant and artfully crafted tale.
(ARC read through BookSirens)
I absolutely love noir old movies, and upon coming across this book, and knowing that it's a literary thriller at that, I did NOT hesitate! And as expected, it was GOOD!
I loved the story, loved how it was so intricate and well crafted. The writing in this book absolutely delivered, reaffirming why literary fiction is one of my favorite genres. Although I don't read as much of it as I should, whenever I do, I savor every moment.
I gave this 3.75 stars solely because of the pace; the first half felt too slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the plot. However, once the story picked up, it was a CRAZY ride, and the characters and amazing storyline kept me hooked until the end. The vibes were there STRONGLY, and once the plot gained momentum, it was impossible to put the book down (i just finished it and it's 5:45 am). Despite the slow start, the emotional depth and gripping twists made it SO worth the read.
"Blood and Mascara" is a captivating murder mystery that masterfully keeps readers on their toes with its intricate details and unexpected twists. The story unfolds at a deliberate pace, urging you to take your time and delve into the layers of subtext. With its multiple timelines and perspectives, the narrative is complex and at times disorienting, but this adds to its allure. The raw, gory elements enhance the intensity, making this a brilliant and artfully crafted tale.
(ARC read through BookSirens)