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fictionaddictions_amanda's review
3.0
One Sentence Review: I hope more authors write time traveling thriller books.
My full thoughts are discussed in the February Secret TBR Pick reading vlog on YouTube channel Fiction Addictions https://youtu.be/bXCt7OgK324?si=jx7qH6ke9ucB4nk4
My full thoughts are discussed in the February Secret TBR Pick reading vlog on YouTube channel Fiction Addictions https://youtu.be/bXCt7OgK324?si=jx7qH6ke9ucB4nk4
marieintheraw's review
3.0
I think this was a "I read this at the wrong time" combined with "I want more out of this." I'll probably revisit this in the future.
radarocco's review
DNF. the main character does not appeal to me at all and annoyed me in all 5 chapters i've read. maybe it gets better but i don't want to force myself to read it.
mcf's review
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5.
This was gracefully written, and the dual settings -- particularly modern Tokyo -- were vividly drawn and really compelling, and the ghostly revenge story is appropriately creepy. For me, though, the main character just wasn't very likable, which made it hard for me to care about her bottomless, targeted rage or the sudden appearance of a redemption arc, whether or not there were spirits involved.
Thanks to Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC!
This was gracefully written, and the dual settings -- particularly modern Tokyo -- were vividly drawn and really compelling, and the ghostly revenge story is appropriately creepy. For me, though, the main character just wasn't very likable, which made it hard for me to care about her bottomless, targeted rage or the sudden appearance of a redemption arc, whether or not there were spirits involved.
Thanks to Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC!
forsakenfates's review
3.0
This is a super hard book to review. On the one hand it has this amazing premise and idea behind it. It also is written by an author that I love reading from. Lindsay Smith always has these unique worlds and locations for her books. However, this book fell completely short of my expectations. I spent the first 40% or so the book completely annoyed with the protagonist and annoyed with the "fake" world I felt like Smith was sharing with us. I wanted to immerse myself in the culture and the places Reiko was visiting.
Once Reiko really began her story in Miyu's life I became much more invested in the story. But then in the last 20 pages of the book we went full speed to a conclusion that was rushed and left me unsatisfied at the end. I had such high expectations for this book that I think really dampened my enjoyment. While this book has it's flaws, the premise should be enough for you to at least enjoy the story. I just wish it had been longer and had a better immersion into the culture.
One other thing I will say, is Reiko is severely depressed throughout this story and some of her thoughts and words could could be triggering to some people.
Once Reiko really began her story in Miyu's life I became much more invested in the story. But then in the last 20 pages of the book we went full speed to a conclusion that was rushed and left me unsatisfied at the end. I had such high expectations for this book that I think really dampened my enjoyment. While this book has it's flaws, the premise should be enough for you to at least enjoy the story. I just wish it had been longer and had a better immersion into the culture.
One other thing I will say, is Reiko is severely depressed throughout this story and some of her thoughts and words could could be triggering to some people.
booksandladders's review
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacts my views.
DNF @ 13%
I'm not DNF-ing for any other reason than this is VERY triggering. On page self-harm and talks of suicide and I can't get further than what I did because it is causing me mental health problems. They are handled really well so far, in how they are discussed, and other reviews claim that they are dealt with well, I just cannot put myself through this anymore in good conscious.
DNF @ 13%
I'm not DNF-ing for any other reason than this is VERY triggering. On page self-harm and talks of suicide and I can't get further than what I did because it is causing me mental health problems. They are handled really well so far, in how they are discussed, and other reviews claim that they are dealt with well, I just cannot put myself through this anymore in good conscious.
blakehalsey's review
5.0
Well, this was completely dark and completely delicious. Beautiful and malicious story!
bookishnicole's review
Page 77 - I could not get behind her quest for revenge, like, what happened? From reviews it was going to be too long for me to find out also.
sammy234's review
1.0
*THIS BOOK WAS REVIEWED FOR KISS THE BOOK AND MAY BE CROSS-POSTED ON THE KISS THE BOOK GOODREADS ACCOUNT.
My review:
Smith, Lindsay A Darkly Beating Heart, pg. # 261. Roaring Brook Press, 2017. $17. 99 Language: R (30 swears, 9 ‘f’)
Mature content: R (sexual themes, nudity, severe self-harm and abuse) Violence: R (graphic murder)
Reiko’s life is spiraling out of control. Expelled from school and betrayed by someone she gave all her trust, she is sent to work for her cousin in Japan. However, her fresh start is ruined because the hatred towards those who have wronged her still simmers in her heart. She swears nothing will distract her from her revenge, but a girl from another time and a town full of secrets surprise her and tempt her with things she never knew she wanted.
A Darkly Beating Heart takes on a plethora of heavy topics (abuse, self-harm, murder) and then manages to throw them by the wayside so that they seem merely placed in the narrative for shock value. The main character is unlikable, which would be fine if she were penned as a complex human being with more than one interest. However, this was not the case. The heroine came off as a villainous caricature with no redeeming qualities, and I am hard-pressed to believe that the quick resolution provided for this story was enough to restore Reiko from her frankly psychotic thoughts and actions. Pair that with the grueling repetitiveness and gratuitous foul language, and I’m afraid this book does not get my endorsement. I will say though, that the historical details were very well researched and seemed true to the time period.
MS, HS- OPTIONAL.
My review:
Smith, Lindsay A Darkly Beating Heart, pg. # 261. Roaring Brook Press, 2017. $17. 99 Language: R (30 swears, 9 ‘f’)
Mature content: R (sexual themes, nudity, severe self-harm and abuse) Violence: R (graphic murder)
Reiko’s life is spiraling out of control. Expelled from school and betrayed by someone she gave all her trust, she is sent to work for her cousin in Japan. However, her fresh start is ruined because the hatred towards those who have wronged her still simmers in her heart. She swears nothing will distract her from her revenge, but a girl from another time and a town full of secrets surprise her and tempt her with things she never knew she wanted.
A Darkly Beating Heart takes on a plethora of heavy topics (abuse, self-harm, murder) and then manages to throw them by the wayside so that they seem merely placed in the narrative for shock value. The main character is unlikable, which would be fine if she were penned as a complex human being with more than one interest. However, this was not the case. The heroine came off as a villainous caricature with no redeeming qualities, and I am hard-pressed to believe that the quick resolution provided for this story was enough to restore Reiko from her frankly psychotic thoughts and actions. Pair that with the grueling repetitiveness and gratuitous foul language, and I’m afraid this book does not get my endorsement. I will say though, that the historical details were very well researched and seemed true to the time period.
MS, HS- OPTIONAL.
sc104906's review
4.0
After a traumatic break up with her girlfriend and the subsequent mental breakdown she had afterwards, Reiko is sent to Japan to recover. Working as an intern for her uncle's graphic design firm, Reiko finds that she has been included in her cousin's plan to become a teen idol. Reiko doesn't speak the language, she is having a difficult time coming to terms with new her medications, and she doesn't want to make any friends. The only thing fueling her life is rage. She wants to exact revenge on everyone around her, from her girlfriend and abusive older brother. Nothing is more important than the world ending rage fueled revenge plans she is constantly cultivating. Reiko's cousin and her entourage (which includes Reiko) go for a weekend to a small historical/religious village, which is having a popular festival. As the crew is determining locations for a potential photo shoot, Reiko stumbles upon a way into the past. She becomes Miyu from the Edo period. Miyu is also driven by rage, for reasons Reiko attempts to learn. Soon Reiko finds solace in the past and another life, making her connection to the present tenuous at best. What are Miyu's true motivations and will Reiko be lost to the past?
This novel read like a novelized form of a manga. It is the first that I have come across. It weaves Japanese culture into the story, making it both informative and interesting. Reiko is a unique character, whose parents are Japanese immigrants and she deals with issues related to the world's acceptance of her bisexuality. This was a supernatural/time travel novel, which just so happened to include relevant social issues. I feel that the novel offers a diverse example of a supernatural/time travel thriller.
This novel read like a novelized form of a manga. It is the first that I have come across. It weaves Japanese culture into the story, making it both informative and interesting. Reiko is a unique character, whose parents are Japanese immigrants and she deals with issues related to the world's acceptance of her bisexuality. This was a supernatural/time travel novel, which just so happened to include relevant social issues. I feel that the novel offers a diverse example of a supernatural/time travel thriller.