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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
I think like most would do while reading, I compared this book off of Caroline Kepnes other books [b:You|20821614|You (You, #1)|Caroline Kepnes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411958102s/20821614.jpg|39913517] and [b:Hidden Bodies|23492288|Hidden Bodies (You, #2)|Caroline Kepnes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437414470s/23492288.jpg|43082571]. Well, DON'T DO THAT. All that is happening is you're doing a disservice to yourself and Kepnes. I had to keep telling myself that, so I know.
I enjoyed the book, I thought it was a good book, it could have been better, but most of that was my own expectations. I wasn't expecting a supernatural/otherworldly nature (but that has more to do with the description than anything else). There were certain parts that I thought should have been fleshed out more. I like the supernatural aspect and the themes of isolation but felt it could have been brought out more, but instead, it felt more like an annoyance than a real problem.
But I did enjoy the departure from the norm with this new novel and am still excited to read more from Caroline Kepnes.
Downloaded from NetGalley for an honest review
I enjoyed the book, I thought it was a good book, it could have been better, but most of that was my own expectations. I wasn't expecting a supernatural/otherworldly nature (but that has more to do with the description than anything else). There were certain parts that I thought should have been fleshed out more. I like the supernatural aspect and the themes of isolation but felt it could have been brought out more, but instead, it felt more like an annoyance than a real problem.
But I did enjoy the departure from the norm with this new novel and am still excited to read more from Caroline Kepnes.
Downloaded from NetGalley for an honest review
I felt like nothing was really happening in this book or maybe I missed the point of it
challenging
emotional
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:
Complicated
2.5 stars.
I was SO EXCITED to finally read this, after how much I loved [b:You|20821614|You (You, #1)|Caroline Kepnes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411958102s/20821614.jpg|39913517]. As a result, I may be rating this too harshly, but I'm just so disappointed.
There were elements of this I enjoyed, but the parts I disliked, I HATED. The early chapters were annoyingly written for some reason, like I get they were from preteens' perspectives, but I just found the writing frustrating. I especially hated how Jon called Chloe "Chloe Smells Like Cookies." I also found the writing when Jon and Chloe thought about each other downright insufferable...they're so desperate and lovesick about each other but they hadn't seen each other since they were 13?? I found myself rolling my eyes so much.
I also didn't find any of the characters terribly likeable. Chloe and Jon Eggs was kind of an asshole to his wife as well, the typical "married to the job" type detective. Just annoying.
I do think I missed part of the good stuff in the book having never read Lovecraft. I did enjoy the Lovecraft parts and the parallels between the plot and the book mentioned throughout, but I didn't connect with it as much as maybe I should have.
One thing that struck me was how I feel like Kepnes tried writing a Stephen King novel with a romantic subplot. Eggs as a character reminded me of several characters I've read by King in the past, and the supernatural element sounds like a King thing as well to me. I just feel like the influence was a bit too obvious to me.
Again, I really wanted to love this. It had its moments, and I definitely enjoyed parts of it, but overall it was a huge disappointment. The cringeworthy writing and the characters just did not click with me at all. :/
Oh, but I do REALLY love the cover.
I was SO EXCITED to finally read this, after how much I loved [b:You|20821614|You (You, #1)|Caroline Kepnes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411958102s/20821614.jpg|39913517]. As a result, I may be rating this too harshly, but I'm just so disappointed.
There were elements of this I enjoyed, but the parts I disliked, I HATED. The early chapters were annoyingly written for some reason, like I get they were from preteens' perspectives, but I just found the writing frustrating. I especially hated how Jon called Chloe "Chloe Smells Like Cookies." I also found the writing when Jon and Chloe thought about each other downright insufferable...they're so desperate and lovesick about each other but they hadn't seen each other since they were 13?? I found myself rolling my eyes so much.
I also didn't find any of the characters terribly likeable. Chloe
Spoiler
dates her best friend's tormentor, knowing he bullied JonSpoiler
runs away and tortures Chloe by calling her constantly then hanging up, barely talks to his parents, etc., telling himself that it's better for everyone if he just gets out of their lives but then he keeps making contact without explaining the situation? Not once did he think about telling them what was happening and why he couldn't see them in person for their own safety. Not to mention he gives me major Nice Guy vibes...there was a line about him running through NYC to get to Chloe and he kept meeting women's eyes and hoping they're thinking "there goes one of the good ones!" because it's just SO ROMANTIC for him to run across the city to crash her gallery after not seeing her for years.I do think I missed part of the good stuff in the book having never read Lovecraft. I did enjoy the Lovecraft parts and the parallels between the plot and the book mentioned throughout, but I didn't connect with it as much as maybe I should have.
One thing that struck me was how I feel like Kepnes tried writing a Stephen King novel with a romantic subplot. Eggs as a character reminded me of several characters I've read by King in the past, and the supernatural element sounds like a King thing as well to me. I just feel like the influence was a bit too obvious to me.
Again, I really wanted to love this. It had its moments, and I definitely enjoyed parts of it, but overall it was a huge disappointment. The cringeworthy writing and the characters just did not click with me at all. :/
Oh, but I do REALLY love the cover.
Kepnes tells great stories! Providence is equal parts intriguing, heart breaking, heart warming, and mysterious. And they all play together quite nicely, especially for a sci-fi/fantasy type novel. Fun read!
mysterious
slow-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
I really liked this book. It was so different from the authors other books but still had the creepy element. The story was pretty unique too. It definitely held my interest.
I appreciated the writing but I didn't click with the story. I know many will.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.