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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
The narrators were so overly dramatic that it ruined the book for me.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Definitely didn’t like this as much as the Rachel Krall series. I think a huge part of this is because I chose the audiobook instead of the print version.
I found the first 30% super confusing the way the dual timeline was laid out. It didn’t really start to actually come together until about 50-55%. Like I said, that would have been a non-issue with the physical book.
I also just…..didn’t care about these characters for some reason. This is really a 2 star read, but I have to add a star because I’m sure this is the rating I would give had I read it physically.
I found the first 30% super confusing the way the dual timeline was laid out. It didn’t really start to actually come together until about 50-55%. Like I said, that would have been a non-issue with the physical book.
I also just…..didn’t care about these characters for some reason. This is really a 2 star read, but I have to add a star because I’m sure this is the rating I would give had I read it physically.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)
Another fast paced read from this author that I enjoyed. I didn't intend to read the whole thing in one sitting but it was hard to put down.
Another fast paced read from this author that I enjoyed. I didn't intend to read the whole thing in one sitting but it was hard to put down.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Megan Goldwon is a master of the tense atmospheric thriller. In Stay Awake, a girl wakes to find herself covered with handwritten notes on her arms. The novel is journey of discovery of what these messages mean, who to trust, and what is real. It kept me guessing at every turn! I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a unique thriller. Thanks to the publisher and author for allowing me to read this book in advance.
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Macmillan Reading Insiders Club.
Liv Reese wakes up in the back of a taxi with no idea where she is or how she got there. When she’s dropped off at the door of her brownstone, a stranger answers―a stranger who now lives in her apartment and forces her out in the cold. She reaches for her phone to call for help, only to discover it’s missing, and in its place is a bloodstained knife. That’s when she sees that her hands are covered in black pen, scribbled messages like graffiti on her skin: STAY AWAKE.
Two years ago, Liv was living with her best friend, dating a new man, and thriving as a successful writer for a trendy magazine. Now, she’s lost and disoriented in a New York City that looks nothing like what she remembers. Catching a glimpse of the local news, she’s horrified to see reports of a crime scene where the victim’s blood has been used to scrawl a message across a window, the same message that’s inked on her hands. What did she do last night? And why does she remember nothing from the past two years? Liv finds herself on the run for a crime she doesn’t remember committing as she tries to piece together the fragments of her life. But there’s someone who does know exactly what she did, and they’ll do anything to make her forget―permanently.
This book definitely has the Memento feeling to it. I enjoyed trying to solve the mystery and what had happened to Liv to make her lose her memory. At times I could tell how the story was going to progress but overall it was an interesting and exciting read.
Liv Reese wakes up in the back of a taxi with no idea where she is or how she got there. When she’s dropped off at the door of her brownstone, a stranger answers―a stranger who now lives in her apartment and forces her out in the cold. She reaches for her phone to call for help, only to discover it’s missing, and in its place is a bloodstained knife. That’s when she sees that her hands are covered in black pen, scribbled messages like graffiti on her skin: STAY AWAKE.
Two years ago, Liv was living with her best friend, dating a new man, and thriving as a successful writer for a trendy magazine. Now, she’s lost and disoriented in a New York City that looks nothing like what she remembers. Catching a glimpse of the local news, she’s horrified to see reports of a crime scene where the victim’s blood has been used to scrawl a message across a window, the same message that’s inked on her hands. What did she do last night? And why does she remember nothing from the past two years? Liv finds herself on the run for a crime she doesn’t remember committing as she tries to piece together the fragments of her life. But there’s someone who does know exactly what she did, and they’ll do anything to make her forget―permanently.
This book definitely has the Memento feeling to it. I enjoyed trying to solve the mystery and what had happened to Liv to make her lose her memory. At times I could tell how the story was going to progress but overall it was an interesting and exciting read.
The main character is just too dumb for words. The fact that she put "What's today's date?" into Google was just the beginning. Also repetitive and too many unnecessary details.
Stay Awake by Megan Goldin
Disappointed in this one…really enjoyed the previous books that I read by this author but this one let me down. Why? Well, I never bought into it or found it believable. I didn’t warm to the main character, didn’t feel I got to know the detectives on the case, and never really understood the motivation for murder, stalking, attempted murder, and simple solution at the end. What should have been a fast paced, thrilling, suspenseful tale – flipping from present to two years ago while also following th detectives, just didn’t provide the intensity and pull me in as I had hoped. In the end I was underwhelmed. That said, I am hopeful the next by this author will be more to my liking as I gave five-star reviews to both Night Swim and The Escape Room.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
2-3 Stars
Disappointed in this one…really enjoyed the previous books that I read by this author but this one let me down. Why? Well, I never bought into it or found it believable. I didn’t warm to the main character, didn’t feel I got to know the detectives on the case, and never really understood the motivation for murder, stalking, attempted murder, and simple solution at the end. What should have been a fast paced, thrilling, suspenseful tale – flipping from present to two years ago while also following th detectives, just didn’t provide the intensity and pull me in as I had hoped. In the end I was underwhelmed. That said, I am hopeful the next by this author will be more to my liking as I gave five-star reviews to both Night Swim and The Escape Room.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
2-3 Stars