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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75 stars
I have really mixed feelings about this book. In many ways it’s a psychological suspense novel. In many ways it’s a story about friendship. In all ways, it is a twisted tale of psychopathy and the need to belong.
We are introduced to the novel by a prologue. A horrible rendition of seducing and then attacking a man by three unknown women. We don’t know who the women are, or the outcome of the man. We just know it is a savage and nasty incident.
Clare is attending St. Andrews in Edinburgh. She’s fled her grandmother’s home in Hull to start afresh. New image, new outlook. Anything to escape her past. But she still craves the belonging to group. She finds herself a part time job in a bar where she encounters Tabitha, Imogen and two brazen young men. Clare is immediately taken with the women and desires to be their friend. When both turn up in one of her lectures, she gravitates toward them until they start including her in their group.
Over time, Clare becomes one of their circle, though never on the complete inner side. She, like the others, completely craves Tabitha’s attention. So much so, that all of them are willing to do nearly anything to be in Tabitha’s good graces. When Tabitha concocts this business idea for the group, Clare goes along, tentatively at first, but later with gusto. After all, nothing is more important than Tabitha’s approval.
Until it all goes wrong.
It’s definitely a dark novel. Psychopathy and sociopathy abounds, but it is also a page turner, making you want to know where the story is headed. Which is why the mixed feelings. Part of me didn’t want to be entranced by this story of the darkness inside people and the lengths we might go to for revenge or satisfaction. However, it is well written and keeps you engaged with the friendship and the horrors of that friendship.
Again, not quite sure how I feel about it. But it was a good read.
I have really mixed feelings about this book. In many ways it’s a psychological suspense novel. In many ways it’s a story about friendship. In all ways, it is a twisted tale of psychopathy and the need to belong.
We are introduced to the novel by a prologue. A horrible rendition of seducing and then attacking a man by three unknown women. We don’t know who the women are, or the outcome of the man. We just know it is a savage and nasty incident.
Clare is attending St. Andrews in Edinburgh. She’s fled her grandmother’s home in Hull to start afresh. New image, new outlook. Anything to escape her past. But she still craves the belonging to group. She finds herself a part time job in a bar where she encounters Tabitha, Imogen and two brazen young men. Clare is immediately taken with the women and desires to be their friend. When both turn up in one of her lectures, she gravitates toward them until they start including her in their group.
Over time, Clare becomes one of their circle, though never on the complete inner side. She, like the others, completely craves Tabitha’s attention. So much so, that all of them are willing to do nearly anything to be in Tabitha’s good graces. When Tabitha concocts this business idea for the group, Clare goes along, tentatively at first, but later with gusto. After all, nothing is more important than Tabitha’s approval.
Until it all goes wrong.
It’s definitely a dark novel. Psychopathy and sociopathy abounds, but it is also a page turner, making you want to know where the story is headed. Which is why the mixed feelings. Part of me didn’t want to be entranced by this story of the darkness inside people and the lengths we might go to for revenge or satisfaction. However, it is well written and keeps you engaged with the friendship and the horrors of that friendship.
Again, not quite sure how I feel about it. But it was a good read.
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Clare arrives at Edinburgh University determined to reinvent herself and make friends. She is surprised and delighted to be drawn into the world of charismatic Tabitha, who leads a glamorous, wealthy life in with interesting friends and holidays in France. I felt for Clare as she tries not to make any faux pas among people who move with the ease and lustre of the upper middle classes.
The reason for Tabitha's friendship becomes clear. She has identified Clare as someone who can help in her idea to wreak revenge on erring men.
An enjoyable page turner with a feminist slant.
The reason for Tabitha's friendship becomes clear. She has identified Clare as someone who can help in her idea to wreak revenge on erring men.
An enjoyable page turner with a feminist slant.
I honestly don’t know how I feel about The Things We Do to Our Friends. I loved the dark academia, the Edinburgh setting, and the storytelling. Until the end. It felt TOO wrapped up, I wanted more from Clare, especially since she’s the narrator and we’re in her thoughts. I wish I could put my finger on what left me wanting at the end. I had no trouble tearing through the book, it just felt as though something was missing at the end. I do look forward to reading more from Heather Darwent in the future! Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
what a book. the writing was spectacular, i just disliked every character and therefore wasn’t connected to anyone. i also did see the ending coming! overall enjoyable book <3
I really should stop being swayed by pretty faces (covers) that hide little to no substance.
I used my right to skip pages as outlined by Daniel Pennac and I could still keep track of the plot of this novel, which really isn’t promising when I’m supposed to be holding a twisty thriller in my hands.
Not only it felt like it jumped everywhere instead of focusing on one singular event and what surrounded it, the “academia” genre that has been assigned to it is as inexplicable as the pull that blonde Tabitha appears to exert on everyone around her and our main protagonist.
I’m giving it two stars because the author can write, though the best piece of writing in here is the prologue, and because the idea was good. The execution, however, not so much.
However! Some people are loving it. So maybe I — like the protagonist — am the problem.
I used my right to skip pages as outlined by Daniel Pennac and I could still keep track of the plot of this novel, which really isn’t promising when I’m supposed to be holding a twisty thriller in my hands.
Not only it felt like it jumped everywhere instead of focusing on one singular event and what surrounded it, the “academia” genre that has been assigned to it is as inexplicable as the pull that blonde Tabitha appears to exert on everyone around her and our main protagonist.
I’m giving it two stars because the author can write, though the best piece of writing in here is the prologue, and because the idea was good. The execution, however, not so much.
However! Some people are loving it. So maybe I — like the protagonist — am the problem.