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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Would love to see the Spielberg directed version of this 80s coming of age/magical/serial killer/college yarn. As it was, reading it was entertaining but confusing. How many plots within plots within meta narratives are we doing?? Interesting, experimental,but also very tangled!
I'm not sure I can put into words just how good this book is. it's beautifully written, intricate, confusing (in a good way), just incredible all around. it's books like this that make me feel inferior as a writer. it's just so PERFECT. highly recommend.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I want to like Catriona Ward so much but I am always disappointed :(
This book was a confusing mess. The beginning was a slog, but I forced myself to push through. Just when it started getting good, it changed perspectives. This exact thing kept happening. A book within a book within a book with a gender swap (?) but also witchcraft??? I was so lost at certain points, and figuring out what was going on was more frustrating than satisfying. The characters are supposed to be like 16 at one point, but I genuinely thought they were 10; when they're adults, they're acting like teenagers. I wish I could say more about the characters, but the plot was so convoluted it's hard to say anything about characterization.
The first 3/4 was decent enough to make it a 2-star read for me (I enjoyed the elements of the creepy cave, the initial plotline of the stolen manuscript, and the seaside setting), but the end really went off the rails. I would give it a try if you like the book-within-a-book thing!
This book was a confusing mess. The beginning was a slog, but I forced myself to push through. Just when it started getting good, it changed perspectives. This exact thing kept happening. A book within a book within a book with a gender swap (?) but also witchcraft??? I was so lost at certain points, and figuring out what was going on was more frustrating than satisfying. The characters are supposed to be like 16 at one point, but I genuinely thought they were 10; when they're adults, they're acting like teenagers. I wish I could say more about the characters, but the plot was so convoluted it's hard to say anything about characterization.
The first 3/4 was decent enough to make it a 2-star read for me (I enjoyed the elements of the creepy cave, the initial plotline of the stolen manuscript, and the seaside setting), but the end really went off the rails. I would give it a try if you like the book-within-a-book thing!
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Quite memorable, but got in its own way a little too much.
I loved the first half of this book. I have never read this author before and found the main character’s voice very captivating. Sadly, I found the second half to be confusing and messy. I could see what was being attempted but felt like it was too complicated in that effort and missed the mark. I will still probably read more from this author, because I do think she is very talented.