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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
Between this book, You, and Hidden Bodies, I've come to find that I really dig Caroline Kepnes's style.
She's the queen of stream of consciousness and inner monologues and it's evident here she's excellent at not only writing great inner monologues, but she's great at writing different, distinctive ones. If I were given the same events told through the eyes of each of our narrators here, Jon, Chloe, and Eggs, I would be able to distinguish each of them from one another quite easily, I'm sure, and that goes for Joe from You and Hidden Bodies, too.
With that said, the only reason this is a 4-star instead of a 5-star is because the narrative is a little aimless. We know Jon wants to fix what was done to him, we know Chloe wants to be with Jon and he wants to be with her, and we know Eggs wants to figure out what's causing all the coronaries, but we don't have much of a "how" in sight for all these goals and desires.
I really enjoyed this, though. Just like Kepnes's past work, it's engaging, strange, scarily relatable, and smart. I would have liked a little less Eggs and more Chloe and Jon, too, just to focus more on the emotional center with them, but other than that I have few complaints, especially with MacLeod Andrews and Emily Rankin narrating Jon's and Chloe's chapters, respectively. Definitely a breezy listen and an intriguing story.
She's the queen of stream of consciousness and inner monologues and it's evident here she's excellent at not only writing great inner monologues, but she's great at writing different, distinctive ones. If I were given the same events told through the eyes of each of our narrators here, Jon, Chloe, and Eggs, I would be able to distinguish each of them from one another quite easily, I'm sure, and that goes for Joe from You and Hidden Bodies, too.
With that said, the only reason this is a 4-star instead of a 5-star is because the narrative is a little aimless. We know Jon wants to fix what was done to him, we know Chloe wants to be with Jon and he wants to be with her, and we know Eggs wants to figure out what's causing all the coronaries, but we don't have much of a "how" in sight for all these goals and desires.
I really enjoyed this, though. Just like Kepnes's past work, it's engaging, strange, scarily relatable, and smart. I would have liked a little less Eggs and more Chloe and Jon, too, just to focus more on the emotional center with them, but other than that I have few complaints, especially with MacLeod Andrews and Emily Rankin narrating Jon's and Chloe's chapters, respectively. Definitely a breezy listen and an intriguing story.
As I read this book, I found myself annoyed by the fact that every main character in this book is unlikable. In the beginning, Kepnes takes great pains to explain to us why Jon is weird and a loser. Chloe is a bit of an opportunist and self-centered. Eggsie is the obsessive cop trope dialed up 11. I was hoping something would surprise me, but it was all a bit boring, predictable (once Jon's ailment came to light), and repetitive.
This book was quite something. It was definitely original af and managed to be effective on pretty much every level. For me. I can definitely see how this wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea and I was a little wary of some of the sci-fi elements because they didn't seem to go with the other elements. And, honestly, Lovecraft fans are often totally effed up so even though I enjoy some of that whole... thing, I tend to stay away from the fans. That being said, I loved this book. It all just sort of worked.
I've read [b:You|20821614|You (You, #1)|Caroline Kepnes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411958102s/20821614.jpg|39913517] and was pretty impressed with that but wasn't sure I wanted in on the sequel (mostly because I don't think it really needed a sequel). But after this I think she's a strong enough writer to pull it off.
I've read [b:You|20821614|You (You, #1)|Caroline Kepnes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411958102s/20821614.jpg|39913517] and was pretty impressed with that but wasn't sure I wanted in on the sequel (mostly because I don't think it really needed a sequel). But after this I think she's a strong enough writer to pull it off.
"You don't lose a person all at once. You lose them in parts."
Jon and Chloe are best friends, they care a lot for each other but they are very different people. Jon is a weird kid, always alone and often bullied at school. Chloe has a lot of friends and has a busy social life. Then one day, Jon is kidnapped by his substitute teacher who is obsessed with Lovecraft and Chloe is crushed by this loss.
Four years later, Jon is finally able to free himself. He's grown up without being aware of it and Chloe moved on with her life... What happened to Jon? Why does he feel so different?
This is a strange story. I read it without knowing the plot, but blindly trusting Caroline Kepnes and her brilliant writing. I loved You and Hidden Bodies, so I had to read Providence too (but it's a completely different story, it's not part of the You series). So... Providence. As I said, it's a strange, dark and introspective story, told by the point of view of three characters: Jon, always looking for answers; Chloe, who can't let go of the past; Eggie, a stubborn detective who puts his job before everything else.
I admit I felt a bit lost while reading the first half of the book. Even though I was really curious about this novel, it was not catching my interest: at the beginning I thought I was reading a YA romance novel and that was not what I signed up for. But I didn't lost hope and thankfully the pace started getting faster past the halfway mark, the characters became more interesting and the story gifted us with great action. Unfortunately I felt like it wasn't enough, it took the story more than 150 pages to actually start going somewhere (in my opinion) and the ending was not as dark or as twisted as I wished. I also found myself interested in knowing more about the kidnapper, it's a shame we don't get to know more about him. Maybe Kepnes will treat us with a sequel? *fingers crossed*
I usually appreciate introspective books and tormented characters, but in this case the amount of repetitions, especially in Chloe and Eggie's chapters, made me sigh so many times. Yes Chloe, we know you see Jon everywhere. Yes Eggie, we understand you follow your guts, now let's move on!
And I am aware that obsessive thoughts are repetitive, it's literally their nature but... sometimes it was just too much for me. On the other hand, I recognize these three characters are very well written and felt "real", I simply didn't like them.
Kepnes' writing is again brilliant and magnetic, even when I was unsure about the story I couldn't put the book down. I didn't love Providence, but it's definitely a unique book that I liked reading.
Caroline Kepnes is for sure one of my favorite "new to me" authors and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
3 stars.
Jon and Chloe are best friends, they care a lot for each other but they are very different people. Jon is a weird kid, always alone and often bullied at school. Chloe has a lot of friends and has a busy social life. Then one day, Jon is kidnapped by his substitute teacher who is obsessed with Lovecraft and Chloe is crushed by this loss.
Four years later, Jon is finally able to free himself. He's grown up without being aware of it and Chloe moved on with her life... What happened to Jon? Why does he feel so different?
This is a strange story. I read it without knowing the plot, but blindly trusting Caroline Kepnes and her brilliant writing. I loved You and Hidden Bodies, so I had to read Providence too (but it's a completely different story, it's not part of the You series). So... Providence. As I said, it's a strange, dark and introspective story, told by the point of view of three characters: Jon, always looking for answers; Chloe, who can't let go of the past; Eggie, a stubborn detective who puts his job before everything else.
I admit I felt a bit lost while reading the first half of the book. Even though I was really curious about this novel, it was not catching my interest: at the beginning I thought I was reading a YA romance novel and that was not what I signed up for. But I didn't lost hope and thankfully the pace started getting faster past the halfway mark, the characters became more interesting and the story gifted us with great action. Unfortunately I felt like it wasn't enough, it took the story more than 150 pages to actually start going somewhere (in my opinion) and the ending was not as dark or as twisted as I wished. I also found myself interested in knowing more about the kidnapper, it's a shame we don't get to know more about him. Maybe Kepnes will treat us with a sequel? *fingers crossed*
I usually appreciate introspective books and tormented characters, but in this case the amount of repetitions, especially in Chloe and Eggie's chapters, made me sigh so many times. Yes Chloe, we know you see Jon everywhere. Yes Eggie, we understand you follow your guts, now let's move on!
And I am aware that obsessive thoughts are repetitive, it's literally their nature but... sometimes it was just too much for me. On the other hand, I recognize these three characters are very well written and felt "real", I simply didn't like them.
Kepnes' writing is again brilliant and magnetic, even when I was unsure about the story I couldn't put the book down. I didn't love Providence, but it's definitely a unique book that I liked reading.
Caroline Kepnes is for sure one of my favorite "new to me" authors and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
3 stars.
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Unnerving Magazine
Listen to my interview with the author here: https://www.unnervingmagazine.com/single-post/2018/11/05/EP020---Talking-Providence-With-Caroline-Kepnes
An interesting intersection of thriller, romance, and horror. Deals heavy in longing and inability change. Fun characters. Fast pacing. Came together and followed through in an interesting manner.
Listen to my interview with the author here: https://www.unnervingmagazine.com/single-post/2018/11/05/EP020---Talking-Providence-With-Caroline-Kepnes
An interesting intersection of thriller, romance, and horror. Deals heavy in longing and inability change. Fun characters. Fast pacing. Came together and followed through in an interesting manner.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Murder
That was great! I think itβs the first sort of sci fi book Iβve ever super greatly enjoyed. Caroline Kepnes β€οΈπππ