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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Yes, Yes, Yes!!! Here is my "official" blurb. What I loved MOST is that you have to read every single word or you will miss a plot twist. And that forces you to leave your own world behind, which is why we read books.
Temper is raw, ingenious and utterly fearless. I devoured every word as the story bent and twisted in ways I did not see coming. Layne Fargo delivers psychological suspense at its very best - without tricks or misdirections, just brilliant story telling and profoundly astute observations about human emotions and relationships. Temper is the real deal.
Temper is raw, ingenious and utterly fearless. I devoured every word as the story bent and twisted in ways I did not see coming. Layne Fargo delivers psychological suspense at its very best - without tricks or misdirections, just brilliant story telling and profoundly astute observations about human emotions and relationships. Temper is the real deal.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This is one of those books that is "Not for Everyone" (well, all books are, but I feel this one may attract polarised opinions). Some of it is because the characters are, purposely (and that is a crucial distinction) unlikeable, in the best way.
The tension is high and entirely in their heads - stripped down, pure, lethal psych suspense. Mind games and (ooh!) lust (gasp)
One of the BEST bisexual representation in fiction I've read; many characters offering many "takes" on bisexuality. Btw, this is exactly how you avoid stereotypes; by offering variety. They're not "perfect", they can be slutty or manipulative but, because there are either queer (especially bi) characters in the cast, these flaws do not feel defined by their sexual orientation (or vice versa).
Almost made me want to be a theatre actor (is the dating pool that great??)
The tension is high and entirely in their heads - stripped down, pure, lethal psych suspense. Mind games and (ooh!) lust (gasp)
One of the BEST bisexual representation in fiction I've read; many characters offering many "takes" on bisexuality. Btw, this is exactly how you avoid stereotypes; by offering variety. They're not "perfect", they can be slutty or manipulative but, because there are either queer (especially bi) characters in the cast, these flaws do not feel defined by their sexual orientation (or vice versa).
Almost made me want to be a theatre actor (is the dating pool that great??)
I don't know that I'm going to reread this one, but WOW did it make an impression. Talk about character development and a spectacular ending.
4/5
- tw past abusive relationship, past suicide attempt
- such an addictively, slow ,tense, seductive ... frustrating drama
- Follows two women, Kira and joanna, involved in a theatre production, a newcomer lead and a dedicated producer respectively, as well as their (competitive?) relationship with the director
- The actual synopsis does it much more justice
- themes: female ambition and retribution
- Of the two women i did find myself loving one and hating the other but isn’t that part of the fun?
- Ngl I’m not sure this would pass the Bechdel test though
- tw past abusive relationship, past suicide attempt
- such an addictively, slow ,tense, seductive ... frustrating drama
- Follows two women, Kira and joanna, involved in a theatre production, a newcomer lead and a dedicated producer respectively, as well as their (competitive?) relationship with the director
- The actual synopsis does it much more justice
- themes: female ambition and retribution
- Of the two women i did find myself loving one and hating the other but isn’t that part of the fun?
- Ngl I’m not sure this would pass the Bechdel test though
Eh, intriguing enough to keep me reading. But overall it's not a great book. I kept reading to see why Malcom was such a force, but his character was never fleshed out enough for me to see it. Thus, my impression of the ending was obvious. I'd maybe read another book by Fargo as I think this was a debut and it shows.
❐ Overall Rating 3¼ | Narration 4¾
❐ Narrated by Jayme Mattler & Hilary Huber
❐ Listening Length: 9H 58M
❐ Psychological Thriller
❐ A Drama about a Drama with plenty of...you guessed it, Drama
❐ Secrets, Lies, and Betrayals
The whole time I was listening to this, I kept wondering where it was going...I was ten minutes from the end, thinking WTF? These people have too much baggage/drama for me to even care what happens to them...and yet I was still compelled to listen all the way to the end, maybe that was due to the perfectly performed narration, though. And while the ending was sort of satisfying...it may have been better if the Earth had opened up and swallowed them all. So, if this was what the author was going for then she hit the nail on the head.
❐ Narrated by Jayme Mattler & Hilary Huber
❐ Listening Length: 9H 58M
❐ Psychological Thriller
❐ A Drama about a Drama with plenty of...you guessed it, Drama
❐ Secrets, Lies, and Betrayals
The whole time I was listening to this, I kept wondering where it was going...I was ten minutes from the end, thinking WTF? These people have too much baggage/drama for me to even care what happens to them...and yet I was still compelled to listen all the way to the end, maybe that was due to the perfectly performed narration, though. And while the ending was sort of satisfying...it may have been better if the Earth had opened up and swallowed them all. So, if this was what the author was going for then she hit the nail on the head.
Sexual tension, the novel.
Not anywhere close to ‘They Never Learn’ but still a decent story. Somehow this seems less believable than a feminist serial killer. All characters are highly unlikable (which I don’t mind) but it makes one less interested in the progression of the story and the relationships- which are clearly what the author focused most on. Plenty of lines are repeated, cheap one liners that were decent initially but lose so much every time they’re reused.
The amount of problematic depictions of violence and manipulation excused by ‘it’s art’ are overflowing, not brought up as a key issue in the story, but rather a way to further relationships between characters. And no, I’m not about that. It’s easy shock value, all dramatic surface scraping.
Props for the LGBTQIA+ representation, which very easily flows through the story, not being questioned, not demanding a big outing. It’s seem less and feels so refreshing. This seems to be a way that Fargo writes her characters, and that alone does make me interested in reading more. I’ll definitely keep an eye out regarding what she offers up next.
Not anywhere close to ‘They Never Learn’ but still a decent story. Somehow this seems less believable than a feminist serial killer. All characters are highly unlikable (which I don’t mind) but it makes one less interested in the progression of the story and the relationships- which are clearly what the author focused most on. Plenty of lines are repeated, cheap one liners that were decent initially but lose so much every time they’re reused.
The amount of problematic depictions of violence and manipulation excused by ‘it’s art’ are overflowing, not brought up as a key issue in the story, but rather a way to further relationships between characters. And no, I’m not about that. It’s easy shock value, all dramatic surface scraping.
Props for the LGBTQIA+ representation, which very easily flows through the story, not being questioned, not demanding a big outing. It’s seem less and feels so refreshing. This seems to be a way that Fargo writes her characters, and that alone does make me interested in reading more. I’ll definitely keep an eye out regarding what she offers up next.
Ugh... so disappointed. This book drags on in a lot of places. There was much skimming, and I’m still trying to discern the ending. Fargo’s latest book is much better. Save yourself time and read that one instead. This one doesn’t even appear as though it was written by the same person.
Why was the best part of this book a recommendation about enhancing your book club with a Shakespearean cocktail?