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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
It's closer to a 4.5 rating, not quite as eerie as the first novel in the series but still sufficiently mysterious. I almost wish I had reread The Family Upstairs as a refresher because I found myself a bit lost with some of the characters' storylines. Nevertheless, it was overall a great read!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is not a standalone novel, but a sequel! Thus, I strongly recommend reading «The Family Upstairs» first. The intricate, multi-layered narrative of the first book sets the stage for this continuation, which expands the initial story with new perspectives and revelations. Although past events are revisited through flashbacks for clarity, this sequel truly shines when you’re familiar with the groundwork.
While readers of the first book are already familiar with most of the cast, the characters are further developed by the author with a delicate touch and psychological acuity. Though they were no less than complex and well-crafted in «The Family Upstairs,» we revisit the now-grown children of these profoundly fractured families for a closer look. We've already witnessed the gradual disintegration of the Lamb family; now we experience the aftermath of the childhood traumas endured by the survivors. Which also raises the question: To what extent does personal trauma absolve you of moral responsibility…?
The two volumes are two sides of the same coin: The past is reflected in the present, the children in the adults. Lisa Jewell has executed this masterfully.
Despite clever twists and shocking revelations, I view this saga more as a family or coming-of-age drama than a thriller, which is by no means a drawback for me. The suspense simmers in the dark corners of the soul as you read, hoping for the morning glow of a conciliatory ending; the story gains depth and momentum with each page. In my opinion, this creates an immense pull. The atmospheric writing style easily carries you over the pitfalls of this sometimes overly intricate web of lies, violence, and secrets.
While readers of the first book are already familiar with most of the cast, the characters are further developed by the author with a delicate touch and psychological acuity. Though they were no less than complex and well-crafted in «The Family Upstairs,» we revisit the now-grown children of these profoundly fractured families for a closer look. We've already witnessed the gradual disintegration of the Lamb family; now we experience the aftermath of the childhood traumas endured by the survivors. Which also raises the question: To what extent does personal trauma absolve you of moral responsibility…?
The two volumes are two sides of the same coin: The past is reflected in the present, the children in the adults. Lisa Jewell has executed this masterfully.
Despite clever twists and shocking revelations, I view this saga more as a family or coming-of-age drama than a thriller, which is by no means a drawback for me. The suspense simmers in the dark corners of the soul as you read, hoping for the morning glow of a conciliatory ending; the story gains depth and momentum with each page. In my opinion, this creates an immense pull. The atmospheric writing style easily carries you over the pitfalls of this sometimes overly intricate web of lies, violence, and secrets.
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
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
medium-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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this book but I thought the first book, The Family Upstairs, was better. I think the twists and turns weren’t as intense or exciting as the first book. The book did have me wondering what would happen next and kept my attention but I felt a little unsatisfied with the conclusion.