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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can't decide how I feel about this book.
The first 1/3 was stellar, and the twist was beautifully done. I really loved it - it could have been a novella that ended there and it would have been amazing.
The last 2/3 were either genius or way too much. It was definitely a book that went on and on several times after I would have thought it could have (should have?) ended. So that leaves me, waffling between ascribing brilliance or ineptitude to Ward for continuing on so many times. Not sure I'll decide any time soon. It's certain an exceptional book to keep me thinking about it for so long after I finished it!
The first 1/3 was stellar, and the twist was beautifully done. I really loved it - it could have been a novella that ended there and it would have been amazing.
The last 2/3 were either genius or way too much. It was definitely a book that went on and on several times after I would have thought it could have (should have?) ended. So that leaves me, waffling between ascribing brilliance or ineptitude to Ward for continuing on so many times. Not sure I'll decide any time soon. It's certain an exceptional book to keep me thinking about it for so long after I finished it!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was confusing but I think in a good way? It's very layered and has a heavy element of "what the bleep is going on?" But Iiked it. I think.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ward is the author of one of my all time favorite books, The Last House on Needless Street, which is mind fuckery at its best IMO. And I really enjoyed Sundial too. This book however is just ok for me.
High praise for her writing, it's solid as ever. And I like Ward's books because they are never what they seem. But this one seemed too overcomplicated to me. Between the various time lines I struggled following. And I realize with Ward, you don't always know what is going on. But in this instance, it took way too long to understand why a character (who had multiple devoted chapters at this point) was even involved? It left me more confused. The ending fell flat for me too. I was not a fan of the narrators in this book even though I loved the narrator in Needless Street and it's the same dude.
I know there are plenty of higher ratings for this book, and I'm not done with Catriona Ward. I will read everything she publishes. This one just did not hit the mark as I was hoping.
High praise for her writing, it's solid as ever. And I like Ward's books because they are never what they seem. But this one seemed too overcomplicated to me. Between the various time lines I struggled following. And I realize with Ward, you don't always know what is going on. But in this instance, it took way too long to understand why a character (who had multiple devoted chapters at this point) was even involved? It left me more confused. The ending fell flat for me too. I was not a fan of the narrators in this book even though I loved the narrator in Needless Street and it's the same dude.
I know there are plenty of higher ratings for this book, and I'm not done with Catriona Ward. I will read everything she publishes. This one just did not hit the mark as I was hoping.
fast-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:
Yes
Catriona Ward’s Looking Glass Sound is a haunting and multilayered tale that lingers long after the last page. Ward delivers a narrative that is as much about the weight of memory and trauma as it is about fear.
The novel follows Wilder Harlow, a writer struggling to complete his memoir about a traumatic summer in the small town of Whistler Bay. This summer, during his teenage years, left a deep scar on his life when a friend was murdered, and Wilder himself narrowly escaped a serial killer who preyed on local boys. The line between reality and fiction blurs as the novel unfolds, layering shifting perspectives and stories within stories. Ward brilliantly manipulates the narrative structure, weaving a complex web of memory, unreliable narration, and hidden truths.
The isolated coastal town of Whistler Bay feels claustrophobic and eerie, almost becoming a character in its own right. The gothic undertones, paired with a slow-building dread, create a deeply immersive experience. Every interaction, every description, carries an undercurrent of tension, making it impossible to predict when or where the next shock will come.
The characters are another highlight, particularly Wilder, who is both sympathetic and disturbing in his obsession with unraveling the past. His unreliability as a narrator is skillfully executed, leaving readers constantly second-guessing what is real and what is a product of his fragmented psyche. The supporting characters are equally complex, each playing a critical role in the story’s many twists and revelations.
The pacing, while deliberately slow in parts, builds to a crescendo of unexpected and chilling revelations. Looking Glass Sound is not a conventional horror novel; it’s a literary exploration.
This one has Shutter Island vibes as you uncover what’s real and whats a trick of pointed views….
The novel follows Wilder Harlow, a writer struggling to complete his memoir about a traumatic summer in the small town of Whistler Bay. This summer, during his teenage years, left a deep scar on his life when a friend was murdered, and Wilder himself narrowly escaped a serial killer who preyed on local boys. The line between reality and fiction blurs as the novel unfolds, layering shifting perspectives and stories within stories. Ward brilliantly manipulates the narrative structure, weaving a complex web of memory, unreliable narration, and hidden truths.
The isolated coastal town of Whistler Bay feels claustrophobic and eerie, almost becoming a character in its own right. The gothic undertones, paired with a slow-building dread, create a deeply immersive experience. Every interaction, every description, carries an undercurrent of tension, making it impossible to predict when or where the next shock will come.
The characters are another highlight, particularly Wilder, who is both sympathetic and disturbing in his obsession with unraveling the past. His unreliability as a narrator is skillfully executed, leaving readers constantly second-guessing what is real and what is a product of his fragmented psyche. The supporting characters are equally complex, each playing a critical role in the story’s many twists and revelations.
The pacing, while deliberately slow in parts, builds to a crescendo of unexpected and chilling revelations. Looking Glass Sound is not a conventional horror novel; it’s a literary exploration.
This one has Shutter Island vibes as you uncover what’s real and whats a trick of pointed views….
I love everything this author does. While this one doesn’t have quite the OMGSTFUWTF reaction that Needless Street had for me, the writing is so brilliant, the flow of the story - stories - so well done, that I could not put this down.
It’s also really hard to explain without giving everything away. But it’s like inception in book form. Where everyone is an unreliable narrator. And it’s kinda queer. But also kinda not.
Honestly, just read books from this author blind. Don’t read summaries that give things away. Yes, she does write about some grisly stuff, and content warnings for this and other books are super important. But don’t let the surprises get ruined.
I’m a huge fan of this author and have loved every book. Cannot wait to see what this brilliant mind thinks up next.
I received an arc from the publisher. My review and thoughts are my own.
It’s also really hard to explain without giving everything away. But it’s like inception in book form. Where everyone is an unreliable narrator. And it’s kinda queer. But also kinda not.
Honestly, just read books from this author blind. Don’t read summaries that give things away. Yes, she does write about some grisly stuff, and content warnings for this and other books are super important. But don’t let the surprises get ruined.
I’m a huge fan of this author and have loved every book. Cannot wait to see what this brilliant mind thinks up next.
I received an arc from the publisher. My review and thoughts are my own.