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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Interesting premise. More sad than thriller imo. Made me think that I would be okay if I had Liv's condition since I've kept a journal every day since 2014
dark
mysterious
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
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Stay Awake begins: "Starbursts blink from streetlights like they're sharing a secret as I wake to find myself slumped in the back of a cab, without any recollection of how I got here or where I'm going."
Aaaaaaaaaannnnnnnd, just like that, I was hooked. Good thing I was in that haze between Christmas and New Year's Eve when time doesn't count, because I was able to dive into this book without feeling the slightest bit of guilt about the things I should be doing. (New Year's Resolution: stop feeling guilt about things I should be doing.)
Anyway, Megan Goldin hits all the right notes for me (if you like old mysteries and new podcasts, definitely check out The Night Swim) as a reader, and I've become *picky* about my thrillers of late.
In this book, Liv Reese has a memory condition where whenever she wakes up, she's forgotten everything that happened in the last two years, after she nearly lost her life in (for lack of better words, and to avoid spoilers) a traumatic event. I have absolutely no idea whether such a condition can really happen, and I'll leave that to the smarter folks. But Goldin more than convinced me, and I was along for every turn of this roller coaster ride.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Megan Goldin, please keep them coming.
Aaaaaaaaaannnnnnnd, just like that, I was hooked. Good thing I was in that haze between Christmas and New Year's Eve when time doesn't count, because I was able to dive into this book without feeling the slightest bit of guilt about the things I should be doing. (New Year's Resolution: stop feeling guilt about things I should be doing.)
Anyway, Megan Goldin hits all the right notes for me (if you like old mysteries and new podcasts, definitely check out The Night Swim) as a reader, and I've become *picky* about my thrillers of late.
In this book, Liv Reese has a memory condition where whenever she wakes up, she's forgotten everything that happened in the last two years, after she nearly lost her life in (for lack of better words, and to avoid spoilers) a traumatic event. I have absolutely no idea whether such a condition can really happen, and I'll leave that to the smarter folks. But Goldin more than convinced me, and I was along for every turn of this roller coaster ride.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Megan Goldin, please keep them coming.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Two years ago, Liv Reese’s life was on track and improving quickly. Her job writing for a trendy magazine was going great with her editor trusting her with bigger stories, even ones outside of her specialty. Her private life was also going great, despite some strangeness. Two years ago. Now she has woken up in the back of a cab with no idea how she has gotten there. The phone on her desk was just ringing. Strangers are at her brownstone, claiming to live there. Her phone is missing, a bloodied knife in its place. Her only clues are the scribbles on her hands offering fragmented advice. Demanding she stay awake.
By its very nature Megan Goldin’s Stay Awake is and has to be fairly slow. Given Liv’s memory loss on falling asleep, her lack of awareness regarding that, and that the notes she has scribbled on her hands are both the only clues she has regarding anything but also are only quick scribbles with no context, much of the early book can feel like retreading the same path over and over. This is mitigated somewhat by the segments dedicated to the police investigation of the murder that Liv is maybe involved in. But much of that investigation can feel fairly standard at the start with the young cop who recently retired from the military serving as a voice for Liv’s innocence and the gruff older detective who does not want a new partner being much more willing to just put a lid on the case until evidence starts coming in.
For the most part though, the investigation segments work. Though it does feel like Goldin was very aware that police in real life are increasingly unpopular with the public and so went to at times comical effort to ensure the reader knows that her main cops are good ones, including contrasting them with the most uncaring heel of a bad cop she could have introduced without revealing that he was actually the killer this whole time. Plus an event during the climax that I had to put my phone down and have a laugh over.
On Liv’s side of things, her memory loss gets old fairly quickly. There is legitimate tragedy and pathos to be found early on in seeing this woman reach out to her friends only to find silence in their place. To see her try to go home only to find new people living there and to have them be, from her perspective, pointlessly cruel towards her. But, for readers who are me, that has a short shelf life and very quickly diminishing returns. I feel like fewer instances of her falling asleep and being set back to two years ago, with all the horror and confusion that entails, and more seeing her try to put things back together would have worked more smoothly. Watching this character try to bluff her way around the gap in her memory was solid. Seeing people wave off the bits of oddness where she did not know what was going on with minor explanation felt reasonable here. And I think I wanted more of that. More of allowing her to be clever and figure out bits of what had happened as she goes without the back to zero happening as much. Because here is a thing that Goldin did really well that could have been played with more, the red herrings.
We get bits from two years ago, leading up to the event that wiped Liv’s memories, and in those bits there are notable characters who could have done it. Red herrings that it would have been fascinating to see her latch onto as still being a threat as she tries to figure this all out. In addition to that, baking the actual antagonist in a little better would have done wonders for the ending. Do more with them leading up to the reveal, let it be something that both seemingly helps but also tugs at the frayed remains of Liv’s memory, the bits at the end there that she can almost, almost reach.
Stay Awake is a solid enough book, but it could have been more solid. At least for opinionated readers who are me. But, I am definitely left feeling like I want to see where Goldin goes from here and I did enjoy the book for the most part, so it gets a four out of five.
This book was provided to me through netGalley for honest review. Review was previously posted at https://tympestbooks.wordpress.com/2022/11/30/stay-awake/
By its very nature Megan Goldin’s Stay Awake is and has to be fairly slow. Given Liv’s memory loss on falling asleep, her lack of awareness regarding that, and that the notes she has scribbled on her hands are both the only clues she has regarding anything but also are only quick scribbles with no context, much of the early book can feel like retreading the same path over and over. This is mitigated somewhat by the segments dedicated to the police investigation of the murder that Liv is maybe involved in. But much of that investigation can feel fairly standard at the start with the young cop who recently retired from the military serving as a voice for Liv’s innocence and the gruff older detective who does not want a new partner being much more willing to just put a lid on the case until evidence starts coming in.
For the most part though, the investigation segments work. Though it does feel like Goldin was very aware that police in real life are increasingly unpopular with the public and so went to at times comical effort to ensure the reader knows that her main cops are good ones, including contrasting them with the most uncaring heel of a bad cop she could have introduced without revealing that he was actually the killer this whole time. Plus an event during the climax that I had to put my phone down and have a laugh over.
On Liv’s side of things, her memory loss gets old fairly quickly. There is legitimate tragedy and pathos to be found early on in seeing this woman reach out to her friends only to find silence in their place. To see her try to go home only to find new people living there and to have them be, from her perspective, pointlessly cruel towards her. But, for readers who are me, that has a short shelf life and very quickly diminishing returns. I feel like fewer instances of her falling asleep and being set back to two years ago, with all the horror and confusion that entails, and more seeing her try to put things back together would have worked more smoothly. Watching this character try to bluff her way around the gap in her memory was solid. Seeing people wave off the bits of oddness where she did not know what was going on with minor explanation felt reasonable here. And I think I wanted more of that. More of allowing her to be clever and figure out bits of what had happened as she goes without the back to zero happening as much. Because here is a thing that Goldin did really well that could have been played with more, the red herrings.
We get bits from two years ago, leading up to the event that wiped Liv’s memories, and in those bits there are notable characters who could have done it. Red herrings that it would have been fascinating to see her latch onto as still being a threat as she tries to figure this all out. In addition to that, baking the actual antagonist in a little better would have done wonders for the ending. Do more with them leading up to the reveal, let it be something that both seemingly helps but also tugs at the frayed remains of Liv’s memory, the bits at the end there that she can almost, almost reach.
Stay Awake is a solid enough book, but it could have been more solid. At least for opinionated readers who are me. But, I am definitely left feeling like I want to see where Goldin goes from here and I did enjoy the book for the most part, so it gets a four out of five.
This book was provided to me through netGalley for honest review. Review was previously posted at https://tympestbooks.wordpress.com/2022/11/30/stay-awake/
4.7/5
All my nails are cost for reading this book. Such mysterious, creepy atmospheric book, which makes your heart run faster.
Liv doesn't remember how did she get into cab, which leaves her at her apartment. But when she knock the door of her flat she doesn't expect strange couple instead of her best friend Amy. They said that Amy used to live that apartment 2 years ago. And she doesn't have a faint idea. She have some writings on her hands, which says 'stay awake' . In the morning a dead body found in different apartment with a writing on window which is 'awake'. Since then it is whirlwind of story twists.
Every chapter ending will definitely take your breath away. What I likes most is the writing pattern of MG. As a insomnia sufferer, I understand how hard it will be.
I would have give this 5 stars. But I have some doubts which are unanswered.
In the end, I enjoyed this book more than what I expected.
“Everyone has roles to play. Sometimes we don’t know it until it’s too late. You were given a choice, Liv. Every choice has a consequence.”
All my nails are cost for reading this book. Such mysterious, creepy atmospheric book, which makes your heart run faster.
Liv doesn't remember how did she get into cab, which leaves her at her apartment. But when she knock the door of her flat she doesn't expect strange couple instead of her best friend Amy. They said that Amy used to live that apartment 2 years ago. And she doesn't have a faint idea. She have some writings on her hands, which says 'stay awake' . In the morning a dead body found in different apartment with a writing on window which is 'awake'. Since then it is whirlwind of story twists.
Every chapter ending will definitely take your breath away. What I likes most is the writing pattern of MG. As a insomnia sufferer, I understand how hard it will be.
I would have give this 5 stars. But I have some doubts which are unanswered.
In the end, I enjoyed this book more than what I expected.
Imagine not being able to remember the past. It's not the first time an author sent us into this terrifying existence that may keep you awake -- if you're reading late at night.
It's about Liv Reese. Most will like her. She has a great job as a senior staff writer for a style magazine, a boyfriend she loves, a roommate she admires and a cat she adores in her NYC apartment. She's considerate and fun. Everything is fine until she starts to notice strange, creepy things happening in her surroundings. She calls the police and instead of helping, they are questioning her memory. Then it's no surprise when she gets attacked.
The book starts out with the detectives searching for clues of a murder two years later. At the same time, Liv is at Washington Square Park when she wakes up on a park bench without any recent past memory. It's 8:35 a.m. and she last remembers it to be spring. Subsequently, the book takes the reader back two years which leads up to the attack and Liv's move to London. She starts to forget things while in London. She returns to NYC and wakes up not knowing where she is. Then she notices a knife with blood wrapped around a white t-shirt and later sees lots of cash in her pockets. Something bad has happened.
The detectives are using every bit of information to track down possible suspects. She is on top of the list. Meanwhile, she has writing on her hands that help her along. She knows from her handwritten notes not to trust anyone including the police. She eventually ends up unannounced with Dr. Brenner, a neurologist who she's seen before. He explains to her that she has a rare form of amnesia which is connected trauma and the lack of sleep. Every time she wakes up, she can't remember her recent past. Her psychiatrist in London said, "Killing her monster, as it were, may be her way to assert control, to breathe the cycle and get her memory back."
Besides gaining knowledge of her memory issues, I learned more than I probably wanted to know about stalkers. I also didn't know much about performance art where the artist is part of the existence - which is tucked away in the story. The story keeps the reader guessing until the end where "tiny details make the difference." As a writer of successful thrillers, the author had to make this one on the mark: believable and interesting. Maybe some pieces were a little out there on the timeline but it's another page turner.
My thanks to Megan Goldin, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of August 9, 2022.
It's about Liv Reese. Most will like her. She has a great job as a senior staff writer for a style magazine, a boyfriend she loves, a roommate she admires and a cat she adores in her NYC apartment. She's considerate and fun. Everything is fine until she starts to notice strange, creepy things happening in her surroundings. She calls the police and instead of helping, they are questioning her memory. Then it's no surprise when she gets attacked.
The book starts out with the detectives searching for clues of a murder two years later. At the same time, Liv is at Washington Square Park when she wakes up on a park bench without any recent past memory. It's 8:35 a.m. and she last remembers it to be spring. Subsequently, the book takes the reader back two years which leads up to the attack and Liv's move to London. She starts to forget things while in London. She returns to NYC and wakes up not knowing where she is. Then she notices a knife with blood wrapped around a white t-shirt and later sees lots of cash in her pockets. Something bad has happened.
The detectives are using every bit of information to track down possible suspects. She is on top of the list. Meanwhile, she has writing on her hands that help her along. She knows from her handwritten notes not to trust anyone including the police. She eventually ends up unannounced with Dr. Brenner, a neurologist who she's seen before. He explains to her that she has a rare form of amnesia which is connected trauma and the lack of sleep. Every time she wakes up, she can't remember her recent past. Her psychiatrist in London said, "Killing her monster, as it were, may be her way to assert control, to breathe the cycle and get her memory back."
Besides gaining knowledge of her memory issues, I learned more than I probably wanted to know about stalkers. I also didn't know much about performance art where the artist is part of the existence - which is tucked away in the story. The story keeps the reader guessing until the end where "tiny details make the difference." As a writer of successful thrillers, the author had to make this one on the mark: believable and interesting. Maybe some pieces were a little out there on the timeline but it's another page turner.
My thanks to Megan Goldin, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of August 9, 2022.
dark
mysterious
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