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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-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
This was like a checklist of things love in books: boarding schools, overly intense friendships, murder mysteries, witches, old houses, creepy woods, magic (or maybe not), old libraries, unsupervised girls with an unhealthy love of books, unreliable narrators, dark academia atmosphere (yeah, yeah, I know, it's an essentially meaningless buzzword now, but this book is what is was supposed to mean).
Lee took characters who should have been insufferably pretentious - for god's sake, they dressed in tweed and seersucker suits, drank bourbon they hated while reciting poetry in front of a fireplace, and thought the idea of owning cellphones was appalling - and made them earnestly vulnerable and lovable. I want to go to this school with these girls, even knowing what happens.
I also appreciate that Lee clearly loves literature. You can't write a book like this without that. And I love that all the works she name dropped were written by women!
It is rare that I don't guess the ending of a book early on. I'm not saying this to brag. I read a lot of genre fiction, and most books follow a logical format. You read enough, you start to pick up on it. So to have a book that can surprise me is always a delight. That it's one that also includes so many elements I love, along with a compelling narrator, made this truly fun to read.
Lee took characters who should have been insufferably pretentious - for god's sake, they dressed in tweed and seersucker suits, drank bourbon they hated while reciting poetry in front of a fireplace, and thought the idea of owning cellphones was appalling - and made them earnestly vulnerable and lovable. I want to go to this school with these girls, even knowing what happens.
I also appreciate that Lee clearly loves literature. You can't write a book like this without that. And I love that all the works she name dropped were written by women!
It is rare that I don't guess the ending of a book early on. I'm not saying this to brag. I read a lot of genre fiction, and most books follow a logical format. You read enough, you start to pick up on it. So to have a book that can surprise me is always a delight. That it's one that also includes so many elements I love, along with a compelling narrator, made this truly fun to read.
3.5/5, I liked the vibes, I felt like the plot was okay, and I wish the character work was better. I did however call who would kill whom but I did think the end was fitting. I wish we got to read more excepts from ellis’ manuscript. I support gay rights and gay wrongs!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I couldn't help but devour this book! What an intriguing thriller / horror that has such compelling characters you can't help but keep turning the pages. I couldn't put it down!! The book keeps you guessing, and while some parts might seem a little predictable, there's enough twists to change your mind! What a fantastic book!
This book is very dark in the sense that it has many thoughts of demons, ghosts, and dark magic. I don't recommend reading this book at night. I read it over night and was not a fan of always looking over my shoulder for the ghosts and demons they talk about. This being said this book is well written with many twists and turns. But at some point the ending seemed clear and it was only a matter of time until it was confirmed. I do with that the main character read the book (you will understand when you finish the book).
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Finally, a book that claims to be gothic and actually delivers. Reading this book felt like slipping on an old piece of clothing I'd forgotten about - comfortable, familiar, waiting. It deserves its place on the shelf right next to Jackson and du Maurier.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes