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ashleyfleming4's review against another edition
4.0
This one was a slow burn for me.
Halfway through I'm thinking about bailing on it, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Initially I wasn't a fan of the main character; it was when she became a heroine that I really got hooked. The plot was also pretty unique and full of twists and turns.
Halfway through I'm thinking about bailing on it, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Initially I wasn't a fan of the main character; it was when she became a heroine that I really got hooked. The plot was also pretty unique and full of twists and turns.
kaitiecakes's review against another edition
5.0
Omg this book! Wow! Just wow! I had no idea what I signed up for with this book but DAMN WAS IT EVER GOOD!
threegoodrats's review against another edition
4.0
Geez, that was VERY stressful. I wasn't even in the mood for a thriller, but my library copy arrived and others are waiting so I started it. It's like a train wreck - you can't look away. I read it in a day.
cootsiepoo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
badatplants's review against another edition
3.0
Really more of a 2.5. Some parts made me anxious in the best way, and some parts were literally the protagonist eating cheese
nikki_in_niagara's review against another edition
4.0
Abigail is at her bachelorette party when she gets swept up with a guy and sleeps with him. Putting this regrettable mistake behind her she goes on with the wedding. Just a day into her exclusive honeymoon and this man turns up. He's been stalking her and wants them to be together forever.
I have to say quite early on I thought I had it all figured out and it turned out I was right but that was only the beginning of extraordinary reveals. I love how each reveal seemed like it could be the end of the plot but then, "WHAM" another one was let loose and this became a creepy ominous, cult-like story.
Abigail is a strong main character and I liked the decisions she makes. I didn't like that it gave the impression that all men are misogynistic a-holes though. A redeeming male character would have been more realistic. I'm definitely reading more from this author,
I have to say quite early on I thought I had it all figured out and it turned out I was right but that was only the beginning of extraordinary reveals. I love how each reveal seemed like it could be the end of the plot but then, "WHAM" another one was let loose and this became a creepy ominous, cult-like story.
Abigail is a strong main character and I liked the decisions she makes. I didn't like that it gave the impression that all men are misogynistic a-holes though. A redeeming male character would have been more realistic. I'm definitely reading more from this author,
justinkhchen's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Every Vow You Break strives to be compared alongside films such as Midsommar and The Wicker Man (1973), about the unfolding terror after journeying to a seemingly laid-back remote location, and the underlying commentary on human nature and societal attitude. Unfortunately the novel turns out to be completely underwhelming, with its off-balanced execution and halfhearted attempt at making a point about modern day misogyny.
**Minor spoiler ahead**
The novel suffers from poor pacing, with its first 30% filled with protagonist's backstory that has no real relevance: Why do we need the detailed breakdown of all Abigail's past relationships? What is the relevance of Abigail's parents story, as well as their theater business? Every Vow You Break attempts to establish a link between Abigail's character trait and upbringing, to her blindsided compromise; but the prolonged buildup yields very little payoff, especially considering the story is sorely underdeveloped elsewhere.
Regarding the book's ultimate reveal; while it certainly contains some interesting elements (misogynistic rich males in tech, an isolated retreat with an ulterior purpose), the execution not only lacks in logistic (Why is it so tightly associated with honeymoon? Is a remote location even necessary for its intent and purpose? What is preventing it from being reported by the 'victim'?), but also seemingly pointless (what is the core purpose of this organization? How does this singular ritual satisfy the members' recurring sadistic urge?)
**Minor spoiler ends**
Every Vow You Break makes constantly references to movies, from Friday the 13th to Vertigo, which is sadly ironic because its own story is nowhere near the same caliber. The book inadvertently highlights its own problem: for the tale it's trying to tell, it really should've been written as horror (like 75% of the movies it references throughout) rather than a commercial thriller. As it currently stands, it's very much trapped by the thriller conventions and tropes, and the non-committal tone to go for the extreme really hinders the reading experience, making it neither here nor there.
**Literally Dead Book Club April 2021 Selection**
Every Vow You Break strives to be compared alongside films such as Midsommar and The Wicker Man (1973), about the unfolding terror after journeying to a seemingly laid-back remote location, and the underlying commentary on human nature and societal attitude. Unfortunately the novel turns out to be completely underwhelming, with its off-balanced execution and halfhearted attempt at making a point about modern day misogyny.
**Minor spoiler ahead**
The novel suffers from poor pacing, with its first 30% filled with protagonist's backstory that has no real relevance: Why do we need the detailed breakdown of all Abigail's past relationships? What is the relevance of Abigail's parents story, as well as their theater business? Every Vow You Break attempts to establish a link between Abigail's character trait and upbringing, to her blindsided compromise; but the prolonged buildup yields very little payoff, especially considering the story is sorely underdeveloped elsewhere.
Regarding the book's ultimate reveal; while it certainly contains some interesting elements (misogynistic rich males in tech, an isolated retreat with an ulterior purpose), the execution not only lacks in logistic (Why is it so tightly associated with honeymoon? Is a remote location even necessary for its intent and purpose? What is preventing it from being reported by the 'victim'?), but also seemingly pointless (what is the core purpose of this organization? How does this singular ritual satisfy the members' recurring sadistic urge?)
**Minor spoiler ends**
Every Vow You Break makes constantly references to movies, from Friday the 13th to Vertigo, which is sadly ironic because its own story is nowhere near the same caliber. The book inadvertently highlights its own problem: for the tale it's trying to tell, it really should've been written as horror (like 75% of the movies it references throughout) rather than a commercial thriller. As it currently stands, it's very much trapped by the thriller conventions and tropes, and the non-committal tone to go for the extreme really hinders the reading experience, making it neither here nor there.
**Literally Dead Book Club April 2021 Selection**