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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I enjoyed The Chalk Man, but this was just average.. The story didn't seem so thrilling and I didn't really like the characters and honestly didn't care much for how the story will end..
Eis o regresso em pleno de C. J. Tudor, a autora do conceituado Homem de Giz que me arrebatou como poucos. Os Outros é mais uma investida da autora no mundo dos policiais e thrillers com uma ponta de sobrenatural, área da qual não sou a maior fã, mas que consigo perdoar dada a complexidade do enredo, superior a tudo isso...
Gabe regressa a casa numa auto-estrada movimentada quando vê um rosto muito familiar pela janela de um outro carro; é Izzy, a sua filha, que deveria estar em casa com a mãe. Num segundo, a vida de Gabe muda; certo que está do que acabou de ver, este homem começa uma perseguição infrutífera, que culminará na destruição da sua vida pessoal e profissional às mãos de um raptor que as autoridades teimam em negar.
Mas o que está por detrás do desaparecimento de Izzy é muito mais do que uma questão de vingança, rancor ou maldade pura. Poucos sabem a verdade, e os que a conhecem têm apenas duas opções: ou manter o segredo, ou sucumbir às mãos de interesses mais elevados.
Os Outros é intrincado na sua essência, mas simples na mensagem que pretende transmitir e que se resume a uma única palavra: KARMA. Cada acontecimento, cada acção, cada gesto, cada palavra tem um intuito, uma razão de ser. O Universo é prodigioso ao alinhar as peças deste gigantesco mosaico Lego em que vivemos. E Os Outros mostra como as acções e reacções de todo e cada um de nós conseguem ser encadeadas, sem dó nem piedade.
Os Outros. Um livro magistral.
https://www.facebook.com/oslivrosdasonia
Gabe regressa a casa numa auto-estrada movimentada quando vê um rosto muito familiar pela janela de um outro carro; é Izzy, a sua filha, que deveria estar em casa com a mãe. Num segundo, a vida de Gabe muda; certo que está do que acabou de ver, este homem começa uma perseguição infrutífera, que culminará na destruição da sua vida pessoal e profissional às mãos de um raptor que as autoridades teimam em negar.
Mas o que está por detrás do desaparecimento de Izzy é muito mais do que uma questão de vingança, rancor ou maldade pura. Poucos sabem a verdade, e os que a conhecem têm apenas duas opções: ou manter o segredo, ou sucumbir às mãos de interesses mais elevados.
Os Outros é intrincado na sua essência, mas simples na mensagem que pretende transmitir e que se resume a uma única palavra: KARMA. Cada acontecimento, cada acção, cada gesto, cada palavra tem um intuito, uma razão de ser. O Universo é prodigioso ao alinhar as peças deste gigantesco mosaico Lego em que vivemos. E Os Outros mostra como as acções e reacções de todo e cada um de nós conseguem ser encadeadas, sem dó nem piedade.
Os Outros. Um livro magistral.
https://www.facebook.com/oslivrosdasonia
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This was the perfect book to read after the hangover I was left with from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. No complicated emotional gut-wrenching, just a fast-paced thriller mystery with a t-t-t-t-touch of magical realism. I basically read this in two sittings and that includes the time I spent making a flowchart of the character's connections while I waited for my e-reader to charge.
YUP. I mindmapped the sh*t out of this plot and solved the dang mystery. I thought the wee bit of magical/paranormal stuff didn't really need to be there at all since they weren't going to explain it in the end - which was why I gave it 4 stars. It didn't bother me at all and definitely added to the atmosphere of the book but seemed like a wasted opportunity to not follow through with it.
I liked it. My mom read it and she loved it and then immediately went out and bought all of CJ Tudor's other books, so I am calling this one a win.
YUP. I mindmapped the sh*t out of this plot and solved the dang mystery. I thought the wee bit of magical/paranormal stuff didn't really need to be there at all since they weren't going to explain it in the end - which was why I gave it 4 stars. It didn't bother me at all and definitely added to the atmosphere of the book but seemed like a wasted opportunity to not follow through with it.
I liked it. My mom read it and she loved it and then immediately went out and bought all of CJ Tudor's other books, so I am calling this one a win.
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a fantastic read and this author manages to deliver a heart-pounding and mysterious story yet again.
This was a tangled web of reactions where everything that is seemingly random is interconnected until finally, the bigger picture emerges.
Each individual here suffers from an almost 3 degrees of separation, there are no coincidences between these pages and all roads will eventually converge.
So this starts off sprinting with Father and husband Gabe travelling home when he is almost positive he spots his five-year-old daughter Izzy in the back of a vehicle he is tailing behind.
Thus begins a nightmare there seems no end to and Gabe's existence now consists of haunting the motorway and services in his beat-up old camper van searching for the daughter he believes is still out there alive.
This is despite his father in law identifying his wife Jenny and daughters bodies he still refuses to believe that Izzy is gone.
This is told from multiple POV each individual playing their part and all connected in some way.
We have single mum Kate the kind-faced blonde waitress that serves Gabe his coffee when he stops off for a break, she observes the closed-off pain that radiates and nicknames him the thin man.
Then there's Fran and Emily on the move and forever running from something in their past.
Emily with her strange ways, fear of mirrors and her rucksack of pebbles she won't let out of her sight.
Then there's Gabe's mysterious samaritan is he friend or foe and what does he want.
The Girl in the room hooked up to all those monitors just where does she fit into all this and also who is the sandman, finally just who are The Other People and what is their purpose.
So many questions thrown into this mix waiting for answers.
This was fast-paced from the onset and pulled me in keeping me turning those pages long into the night.
A fantastical suspenseful mystery that I enjoyed immensely,
I voluntary reviewed a copy of The Other People.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Minor: Torture
TW: suicide attempt & suicidal thoughts, child kidnapping, loss of a loved one
Here's the thing: even though I am a murderino, the thriller/horror genre is the one genre I read the least from, partially due to how scared I am of it (I am indeed a chicken) but it's also what least interests me. The only authors from this genre that I read from are Camilla Läckberg and Emily Carpenter (The Weight of Lies is chaotic evil good) and I absolutely adore them.
However, C.J. Tudor is a new author that has become pretty popular here in Portugal. I've always seen rave reviews about them and publicity for their books, especially during the book fairs. And when Kayla from BooksandLala launched her Literally Dead Book Club, I saw it as an opportunity to branch out.
The Other People was February's pick and the only positive comment I have for it is the fact that the chapters are short, ergo quick to get through.
What didn't work for me was the writing. At times it tried to be philosophical (e.g. quote above) but the end result was cringey and out of place, and at other times it was half-assed. The characters are very one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. There have been discussions on whether predictable plot twists are a sign of good writing and in my reading experience, if I can predict what is going to happen then it kills part of my enjoyment for the book.
By saying the writing was half-assed I mean that there was no depth to these characters. They have motivations but not much else. For example, Gabe's main motivation is to find his daughter. There is nothing else he cares about or that you could really say about his character.
Additionally, there is no atmosphere in this novel. I wasn't transported to the setting, I didn't feel Gabe's helplessness or Katie's struggles. When it came down to the end, I didn't believe anyone was in danger.
I truly wish this book has been for me what I've seen people rave about. Perhaps this author just isn't for me, and that's okay.
People say hate and bitterness will destroy you. They're wrong. It's hope. Hope will devour you from the inside like a parasite. It will leave you hanging like bait above a shark. But hope won't kill you. It's not that kind.
Here's the thing: even though I am a murderino, the thriller/horror genre is the one genre I read the least from, partially due to how scared I am of it (I am indeed a chicken) but it's also what least interests me. The only authors from this genre that I read from are Camilla Läckberg and Emily Carpenter (The Weight of Lies is chaotic evil good) and I absolutely adore them.
However, C.J. Tudor is a new author that has become pretty popular here in Portugal. I've always seen rave reviews about them and publicity for their books, especially during the book fairs. And when Kayla from BooksandLala launched her Literally Dead Book Club, I saw it as an opportunity to branch out.
The Other People was February's pick and the only positive comment I have for it is the fact that the chapters are short, ergo quick to get through.
What didn't work for me was the writing. At times it tried to be philosophical (e.g. quote above) but the end result was cringey and out of place, and at other times it was half-assed. The characters are very one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. There have been discussions on whether predictable plot twists are a sign of good writing and in my reading experience, if I can predict what is going to happen then it kills part of my enjoyment for the book.
By saying the writing was half-assed I mean that there was no depth to these characters. They have motivations but not much else. For example, Gabe's main motivation is to find his daughter. There is nothing else he cares about or that you could really say about his character.
Spoiler
However, considering this is his main desire and hope in life when he DOES reunite with his daughter, it's very anticlimactic and it doesn't show how much he's missed her.Additionally, there is no atmosphere in this novel. I wasn't transported to the setting, I didn't feel Gabe's helplessness or Katie's struggles. When it came down to the end, I didn't believe anyone was in danger.
Spoiler
Which brings me to my final point: the supernatural element with Alice's sleep. When the book started, I was excited about this element. I really believed it and I was worried about this little girl. I don't understand why this element was introduced if Tudor had no plans to use it. The ending with Alice and Isabella came out of nowhere and with no explanations. There was no build-up and after everything happened, it wasn't discussed again. It was a wasted opportunity and, by not giving it any use, it added only confusion to the overall narrative.I truly wish this book has been for me what I've seen people rave about. Perhaps this author just isn't for me, and that's okay.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I had to reread the ending because it got very complicated. The writing of cj tudor is amazing tho. I don't think any of her books can fail.