Scan barcode
elleinadarat's review
challenging
dark
tense
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
3.0
This was fine. Mostly I was just annoyed at Penelope and angry at Brett and angry at Willa and so sad for Tara and Linc. The Spires were abhorrent people, as many people in college or just out of college are. FRIENDS, except for in Pennsylvania and without any actual fun.
kimmerthebooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
Another great psychological thriller! When everything burned, but nothing is forgotten.. the last will always come back.
Couldn’t put this one down. I enjoyed the dual timeline and the dark and twisty plot. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Couldn’t put this one down. I enjoyed the dual timeline and the dark and twisty plot. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
laurenmmurphy's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
theoceanrose's review
4.0
CW: excessive alcohol use, infidelity, mentions of traumatic past, violence, life-altering fire accidents, death
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Penelope has two teenagers, an unemployed husband, and zero desire to confront her past. That is, until Willa, her post-college roommate, shows up at her door. Though Willa seems to be a great help at first, Penelope quickly starts to realize that things feel a little "off." Is it her imagination or has Willa brought back their past to haunt them?
Though there was definitely foreshadowing in the book to help the reader predict the twist, I still felt like it was well executed. I was interested throughout, and read the story in about 24 hours. The book was well paced and resolved nicely.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Penelope has two teenagers, an unemployed husband, and zero desire to confront her past. That is, until Willa, her post-college roommate, shows up at her door. Though Willa seems to be a great help at first, Penelope quickly starts to realize that things feel a little "off." Is it her imagination or has Willa brought back their past to haunt them?
Though there was definitely foreshadowing in the book to help the reader predict the twist, I still felt like it was well executed. I was interested throughout, and read the story in about 24 hours. The book was well paced and resolved nicely.
novelsandjava's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Brilliance Audio/Thomas and Mercer for sending me a copy of The Spires. This was a crazy twisty read. I felt like so much went on in this book and kept you wanting to read. Definitely a quick one with a good ending! It is told between past and present so you get an idea on what happened in the past and what made it be in the present time. Loved all the characters too! If you love a good twist/thriller book this one would be a great choice for you!
that_little_drop_of_poison's review against another edition
2.0
I mean, this book was ok, I guess?
It was a bit slow (especially the "then" parts) and the final twist wasn't particulary shocking.
The whole base of the plot - Penelope agreeing her friend (whom she hasnt seen in like 20 years) was dubious at best.
The plot itself wasn't anything new. How many times have we seen a mysterious person from the past creeping into protagonist's life just to get over the top revenge for something that happened eons ago?
Not to be all negative though, I sort of enjoyed Penelope and her journey. But that's it.
I received this book from the Publisher in an exchange for an honest review
It was a bit slow (especially the "then" parts) and the final twist wasn't particulary shocking.
The whole base of the plot - Penelope agreeing her friend (whom she hasnt seen in like 20 years) was dubious at best.
The plot itself wasn't anything new. How many times have we seen a mysterious person from the past creeping into protagonist's life just to get over the top revenge for something that happened eons ago?
Not to be all negative though, I sort of enjoyed Penelope and her journey. But that's it.
I received this book from the Publisher in an exchange for an honest review
juju1030's review against another edition
5.0
I love supporting authors, especially those local to me. Kate never disappoints. This thriller, told in an alternating time-line, was full of twists, turns, secrets, lies, and characters you'll love and hate. I love when a book keeps me guessing, but this one had a jaw dropping ending I never saw coming!!
noellesmagicallibrary's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
booksuperpower's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Spires by Kate Moretti is a 2021 Thomas & Mercer publication.
A group of young adults, all move in together in an old, converted church. Unfortunately, their little utopia ends in tragedy.
Now, twenty years later, Penelope is married, with two teenagers, and stretched thin, especially since her husband lost his job.
It seems almost like a blessing when her former roommate, Willa, shows up out of the blue begging for a place to stay after leaving an abusive husband. Willa picks up the slack, taking care of things Penelope has a hard time keeping track of.
But things sour quickly when Willa begins to overstep her bounds. As Willa’s invasiveness grows, Penelope becomes paranoid, and suspicious of her old friend. Her investigation into Willa’s life produces some interesting results, but no one believes Willa has nefarious motives, causing Penelope to second guess her instincts…
This book is written in the typical psychological thriller fashion, moving at a steady, even pace. While the story is engrossing, Penelope annoyed me a great deal, and I thought the story was becoming too transparent and predictable, right up to the end when Moretti blindsided me a very nice, neat twist. Maybe that’ll teach me not to get so complacent.
Overall, I think the author did a nice job with this book. I was strung along, thinking I knew ‘what was what’, even rolling my eyes on occasion- so I guess Moretti put me in my place. LOL! I thought the dual timeline was effective, and the surprises, revelations, and twist were well-timed and kept in check, which I greatly appreciated!!
4 stars
A group of young adults, all move in together in an old, converted church. Unfortunately, their little utopia ends in tragedy.
Now, twenty years later, Penelope is married, with two teenagers, and stretched thin, especially since her husband lost his job.
It seems almost like a blessing when her former roommate, Willa, shows up out of the blue begging for a place to stay after leaving an abusive husband. Willa picks up the slack, taking care of things Penelope has a hard time keeping track of.
But things sour quickly when Willa begins to overstep her bounds. As Willa’s invasiveness grows, Penelope becomes paranoid, and suspicious of her old friend. Her investigation into Willa’s life produces some interesting results, but no one believes Willa has nefarious motives, causing Penelope to second guess her instincts…
This book is written in the typical psychological thriller fashion, moving at a steady, even pace. While the story is engrossing, Penelope annoyed me a great deal, and I thought the story was becoming too transparent and predictable, right up to the end when Moretti blindsided me a very nice, neat twist. Maybe that’ll teach me not to get so complacent.
Overall, I think the author did a nice job with this book. I was strung along, thinking I knew ‘what was what’, even rolling my eyes on occasion- so I guess Moretti put me in my place. LOL! I thought the dual timeline was effective, and the surprises, revelations, and twist were well-timed and kept in check, which I greatly appreciated!!
4 stars