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lexieryan's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dreamer626's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
smarcellus's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
strawberrymivvy's review
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.0
A tautly written psychological drama that reminded me why I enjoyed the It Girl so much. Ruth Ware's books are often slightly out of the ordinary in their setting/plot which makes them all the more page turners.
Lyla is an educated woman working in viral research, her partner a wannabe actor who takes her for granted. He persuades her to join him on a new reality TV show where he's convinced he'll get his big break. As they arrive on an island in the middle of nowhere they find a similar story with the other couples - not everyone is excited to be there or an obvious reality TV star. Almost immediately tensions heat up, then a huge storm leaves them cut off from the rest of the world and having to fend for themselves.
As the body count rises, can they work out what is happening and who can be trusted?
This was a real page turner and until about 50 pages from the end I wasn't sure which way it was going to go, but then it fell a little flat at the end and didn't deliver any real surprise. None of the characters were particularly loveable, even Lyla as she seemed to capitulate to Nico so quickly - in reality I can't see her dropping everything to go on a reality TV show.
Lyla is an educated woman working in viral research, her partner a wannabe actor who takes her for granted. He persuades her to join him on a new reality TV show where he's convinced he'll get his big break. As they arrive on an island in the middle of nowhere they find a similar story with the other couples - not everyone is excited to be there or an obvious reality TV star. Almost immediately tensions heat up, then a huge storm leaves them cut off from the rest of the world and having to fend for themselves.
As the body count rises, can they work out what is happening and who can be trusted?
This was a real page turner and until about 50 pages from the end I wasn't sure which way it was going to go, but then it fell a little flat at the end and didn't deliver any real surprise. None of the characters were particularly loveable, even Lyla as she seemed to capitulate to Nico so quickly - in reality I can't see her dropping everything to go on a reality TV show.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Death
meridith_bex's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Medical content, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide
sarah_allbooked's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
alltheradreads's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0