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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
I feel like I may have done things backwards here, starting with Ward's newest novel, rather than her consensus top novel to date, The Last House on Needless Street.
Looking Glass Sound was good, but is all over the place. Having read her previous novels, I would have been used to this and known what I was getting into. But, going blind into LGS is definitely a jarring experience. Equal parts coming of age story, thriller, ode to writing, and meta as all get out. By the end of the novel, I was very much scratching my head. I mean, I understood everything, but it was just....a lot.
My usual deep dive into youtube reviews after finishing LGS found people adoring this book and others loathing it. So, take that how you want. I think that is a good representation of the novel, so if you enjoyed her previous works, I'm sure you'll like this one. But, if you are looking for a quick and easy read straightforward read, this ain't it.
Looking Glass Sound was good, but is all over the place. Having read her previous novels, I would have been used to this and known what I was getting into. But, going blind into LGS is definitely a jarring experience. Equal parts coming of age story, thriller, ode to writing, and meta as all get out. By the end of the novel, I was very much scratching my head. I mean, I understood everything, but it was just....a lot.
My usual deep dive into youtube reviews after finishing LGS found people adoring this book and others loathing it. So, take that how you want. I think that is a good representation of the novel, so if you enjoyed her previous works, I'm sure you'll like this one. But, if you are looking for a quick and easy read straightforward read, this ain't it.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Touki's club first book of the year 🤓
Some pieces of advice before getting into this book :
-Go in as blind as you can regarding the synopsis, don't read reviews. Just enjoy the ride
-Don't take breaks for days or weeks like I did.. I got lost in the plot lol
-If you're already familiar with Catriona Ward's stories.. Just expect the weirdest, most multilayered twists, as per usual.
It was good ! I'm not sure I got the story fully cause I'm too dumb, but I had a nice time lol 🤓
Some pieces of advice before getting into this book :
-Go in as blind as you can regarding the synopsis, don't read reviews. Just enjoy the ride
-Don't take breaks for days or weeks like I did.. I got lost in the plot lol
-If you're already familiar with Catriona Ward's stories.. Just expect the weirdest, most multilayered twists, as per usual.
It was good ! I'm not sure I got the story fully cause I'm too dumb, but I had a nice time lol 🤓
dark
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:
No
Writers are monsters really; we eat everything we see.
This book was cuckoo bananas. While listening to the audiobook there were several times where I felt like I was in a maze and spun around and couldn't tell which direction I came from. There were also moments in the last half where I considered giving up but I'm glad I finished it. It was bloody brilliant.
This book was cuckoo bananas. While listening to the audiobook there were several times where I felt like I was in a maze and spun around and couldn't tell which direction I came from. There were also moments in the last half where I considered giving up but I'm glad I finished it. It was bloody brilliant.
I’m confused. Somewhat in a good way. Somewhat in a bad way. Wish we stayed in the 1990s with Nat, Harper and Wilder storyline. But alas.
Basically DNFed. File this squarely in the style over substance category. Each reveal left me with even less reason to care about the characters.
This is 2.5 stars. The author just couldn't find their voice. It was set in New England but was peppered with British spelling and stilted slang from non-British characters. Also there were too many "But wait! There's more!" moments. The fact that there are 2 books being written in the story - both of them lackluster and confusing - added to the convoluted feeling. It was an interesting premise, and Ward is great at capturing the feeling of a place, but this book just did not do it for me.
The first half was very weird and the second half was confusing, somehow the ending wrapped things up, but I just wanted to get it over it.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
I liked this way more than the first book I read by her. Didn’t love some of the twists at first but they’re growing on me.