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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
This story is very different from what I expected. With that said, it is very unique in that I haven't read anything else like it. A thriller and mystery story with supernatural. An odd combo, but somehow it works. I think my biggest complaint is that the story didn't give me a satisfying ending. There were questions left unanswered.
Wow! This was my first Caroline Kepnes book and let me tell you - it will NOT be my last! I loved this book, I flew through it and did not want it to end, and what a fun and unique story! I'm a HUGE Stranger Things fan, and this reminded me a bit of that - part sci-fi/fantasy/horror, but also part mystery/detective thriller - so many things I love all mixed in to one really clever tale. In the end, it's really a fun journey across time between two star crossed lovers - desperate to be together in a masterfully crafted journey of horrible circumstances that may forever keep them apart.
You get sucked in right away... Jon and Chloe are high school teens, the best of friends, and you assume, in time, they'll be together forever as you can see how much they love one another. Then, one morning Jon gets kidnapped and everything changes. Something happened to him and we might never be able to see if him and Chloe will that next step and spend their lives together. The things that have happened to him, may keep them apart forever.
The coming-of-age part is really interesting here, because Jon misses so much he's forced to grow up when his body has already done so. And the duality of good vs. evil comes into play a lot - and what a struggle it is to keep the two separate, when their pull is almost beyond control. We also follow the story of Eggs, who is a pretty darn smart detective, obsessed with a case that haunts him. And we follow his own life, his struggle with family, and how he tries to put the pieces of his own life back together while it falls apart around him - as he tries to solve a really strange mystery.
There is a lot of HP Lovecraft reference in this book, including a yearly Lovecraft convention (he was from Providence). I've heard him referenced in several novels before but have never actually read his work. I think I just might have to check it out now. BUT it did not hinder the story at all if you aren't familiar with his work. I am not familiar, and I loved every minute of the book!
This book was so much fun - a bit peculiar in parts but seriously, a fun ride from start to finish. Thanks to NetGalley and Caroline Kepnes and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy to review.
You get sucked in right away... Jon and Chloe are high school teens, the best of friends, and you assume, in time, they'll be together forever as you can see how much they love one another. Then, one morning Jon gets kidnapped and everything changes. Something happened to him and we might never be able to see if him and Chloe will that next step and spend their lives together. The things that have happened to him, may keep them apart forever.
The coming-of-age part is really interesting here, because Jon misses so much he's forced to grow up when his body has already done so. And the duality of good vs. evil comes into play a lot - and what a struggle it is to keep the two separate, when their pull is almost beyond control. We also follow the story of Eggs, who is a pretty darn smart detective, obsessed with a case that haunts him. And we follow his own life, his struggle with family, and how he tries to put the pieces of his own life back together while it falls apart around him - as he tries to solve a really strange mystery.
There is a lot of HP Lovecraft reference in this book, including a yearly Lovecraft convention (he was from Providence). I've heard him referenced in several novels before but have never actually read his work. I think I just might have to check it out now. BUT it did not hinder the story at all if you aren't familiar with his work. I am not familiar, and I loved every minute of the book!
This book was so much fun - a bit peculiar in parts but seriously, a fun ride from start to finish. Thanks to NetGalley and Caroline Kepnes and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy to review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. I ultimately liked this book and thought it was an original idea. Our main character is kidnapped and comes back 4 years later and everything has changed. His parents and friends think he has died and anyone he gets close to is getting sick. His best friend doesn't know why he won't go near her so they pine for each other from afar. He is trying to find a cure for his new ability. If you like suspense/thrillers than this one might be for you!
Phenomenal. Somewhat predictable, idgaf. Listen to the audiobook if you can, the cast is amazing. Very different from You, but still about obsession. Don’t read too far into any summary, and definitely read The Dunwich Horror before you finish.
PROVIDENCE
Written by Caroline Kepnes
(Narrated by Paul Michael, Emily Rankin and MacLeod Andrew)
2018; Lenny/Simon & Schuster (367 Pages)
(Audio length: 12 hours and 42 minutes)
Genre: fiction, standalone, mystery, suspense, missing person, paranormal
RATING: 2 STARS
I was expecting book to be a bit like Room or Then She Was Gone but it turned out to be quite different. The book starts out great – a young boy is ready to confess his feelings to a girl when he is kidnapped. The young girl feels like it is her fault and starts to change and rebel. When the young boy escapes and returns home that is when the story really starts, but at the same time it is where it starts to lose me. By the end of the audiobook I was just happy it ended. I will say that I enjoyed Kepnes writing and found her ideas interesting. I am really looking forward to reading her novel, You, as I have heard great reviews. This book seems to have very mixed reviews. I would normally say give it 50 pages but those are the best parts that sucks you in…I would say pass on this unless you are a big fan of Kepnes and want to read all of her books.
My Novelesque Blog
Written by Caroline Kepnes
(Narrated by Paul Michael, Emily Rankin and MacLeod Andrew)
2018; Lenny/Simon & Schuster (367 Pages)
(Audio length: 12 hours and 42 minutes)
Genre: fiction, standalone, mystery, suspense, missing person, paranormal
RATING: 2 STARS
I was expecting book to be a bit like Room or Then She Was Gone but it turned out to be quite different. The book starts out great – a young boy is ready to confess his feelings to a girl when he is kidnapped. The young girl feels like it is her fault and starts to change and rebel. When the young boy escapes and returns home that is when the story really starts, but at the same time it is where it starts to lose me. By the end of the audiobook I was just happy it ended. I will say that I enjoyed Kepnes writing and found her ideas interesting. I am really looking forward to reading her novel, You, as I have heard great reviews. This book seems to have very mixed reviews. I would normally say give it 50 pages but those are the best parts that sucks you in…I would say pass on this unless you are a big fan of Kepnes and want to read all of her books.
My Novelesque Blog
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Providence by Caroline Kepnes started out stronger than it finished. I really loved the first two-three parts of the book, but it’s suspense and freshness wore off somewhere between page 150 and 200. I still really liked this book, especially its being set a stones throw from where I grew up (I am Providence, Iykyk). The concept of this book was so intriguing and interesting, I just feel as though it got a bit repetitive and lost the stakes along the way when it started to focus on the investigation more so than how Jon was feeling. I did like the perspective changes, but none of these characters ended up being as lovable as I anticipated them being based on the first 100 pages. I still think this is worth the read, especially if you’re a Lovecraft fan.
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