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precioussantiago's review against another edition
5.0
I gave this a 5/5.
Down on her luck Lexi Ellis lands a nanny position for a family in a isolated home along a picturesque fjord in Norway. She has no experience in caring for small children and must do her best in concealing her lack of childcare skills along with her true identity whilst succumbing to her new environment. She begins to see and hear strange things throughout the house and thus a mystery surrounding the family, the house, and the fjord begins to unfold.
This story was well paced and atmospheric. C.J. Cooke masterfully weaved together magical realism in a thriller with horror elements-and the horror elements were actually creepy. As someone who watches and reads horror regularly I am pretty desensitived and not easily creeped out-that is saying something.
The writing style sets this gloomy mood that you feel from the very first page and is consistent throughout the rest of the book-although it is a rather dark setting it drew me in and I was very invested in the characters and the story. There was never a slow moment. I could have easily read this in one sitting had I not been busy on this particular weekend that I started reading this book-it was that good! I am so surprised that I do not hear more about this book. I am so glad that I found this gem and I ready to read more from C.J. Cooke. I highly, highly recommend this book.
Down on her luck Lexi Ellis lands a nanny position for a family in a isolated home along a picturesque fjord in Norway. She has no experience in caring for small children and must do her best in concealing her lack of childcare skills along with her true identity whilst succumbing to her new environment. She begins to see and hear strange things throughout the house and thus a mystery surrounding the family, the house, and the fjord begins to unfold.
This story was well paced and atmospheric. C.J. Cooke masterfully weaved together magical realism in a thriller with horror elements-and the horror elements were actually creepy. As someone who watches and reads horror regularly I am pretty desensitived and not easily creeped out-that is saying something.
The writing style sets this gloomy mood that you feel from the very first page and is consistent throughout the rest of the book-although it is a rather dark setting it drew me in and I was very invested in the characters and the story. There was never a slow moment. I could have easily read this in one sitting had I not been busy on this particular weekend that I started reading this book-it was that good! I am so surprised that I do not hear more about this book. I am so glad that I found this gem and I ready to read more from C.J. Cooke. I highly, highly recommend this book.
mccullah's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
similar idea as carnegie’s maid, posing as someone they aren’t to gain money/power in a home that is not theirs. i enjoyed this one a little more than C’sM though.
thefolklorefaery's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
fionaab's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mialeyden's review against another edition
3.0
However, the story had a number of inconsistencies and plot holes. I mean, as an example, the fact that Lexi was able to switch her identity only with her phone and no money, then no one, including Tom, asked her for valid documentation to move her to a different country to take care of 2 young girls was kind of up there. I guess she just had to get to Norway somehow.
Also, after all the build up with the sad lady and the emphasis on how the supernatural elements were the ones affecting Aurelia's mental health, having something as mundane as Clive making a move to take her closer to the breaking point felt cheap and disappointing. Especially if the intent was to go back to "Oh, by the way, Derry was being influenced by the supernatural elements as well."
I feel like this book was a solid 4 stars right until there's only around 50 pages left, then it fell apart a little bit. In any case, I enjoyed this enough to give the author another go.
bananapancake24's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5