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syinhui's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
I picked up this book for the dark academia vibes along with the expectation that it would be as good as The Silent Patient, but this one turned out to be a downer. I find the plot twist at the end awful. The red herrings weren’t used as effectively as they could have been, which left a lot of loose ends and plot holes that will never be resolved. The plot twist, for what it’s worth, was indeed… unexpected. I had three people in mind for the identity of the second POV; all would make better and more plausible killer. None made it, to my dismay. It’s disappointing how such a reveal seemed to have been pulled out of nowhere.
I don’t buy at all the part where Theo said Zoe is merely a proxy and controlled by Sebastian the whole time, somehow making her inculpable of her actions. This kind of unsettled me because as a psychiatrist, shouldn’t he know better? She may have been a victim but she’s also old enough to know right from wrong. Like wtf.
Zoe suddenly going unhinged and murderous in front of Marianna feels so random. Fred following her and for some reason knowing she’ll be in danger is just convenient.
I think I would’ve even preferred it if Fred and Fosca were actually the secret lovers. Fred, contrary to his clumsy and boyish demeanor (the picture of him with a dog though – one of those frustrating red herrings) as the real cold-blooded murderer and Fosca as an accomplice. Both seem to have had unhappy childhoods. Turning out to be monsters themselves, like their own fathers, killing young women as a means to channel their hate as well as their desire for the love of their mothers. Sounds like classic abused/neglected-child-turned-predatory behaviors. Cliché, but at least the motive is there. Using the story of Persephone, the cult of maidens, and Greek tragedies as a backdrop.. Fred eventually betraying Fosca after finding out he’s sleeping with the girls. Uses him as a scapegoat, frames him up to take the fall. Fosca’s demise (better at the hands of Marianna or Zoe) or arrest would be an opportunity to further explore the themes of grief, regret, loss and longing. Not to mention, a potential parallel to Tennyson and Hallam. Now that I think about it, this could be a good BL fanfiction idea.
I could see Zoe as a total nutcase. Still sticking with the plan to frame up her professor. She’s suspicious from the very start and I wouldn’t mind if the second pov was actually her alternate personality/identity. With a little tweaking, it would probably make sense. Better than a kid having romantic and sexual relations with a deranged man twice her age.
Me trying to make sense of Sebastian’s role as Hades?? and how ridiculous and unbelievable it is:
"Oh, I’ve got an idea for the twist! What if we make someone who has no established motivation so far whatsoever our mysterious killer?? Remember how I’ve repeatedly alluded to the story of the Maiden, Persephone? That’s the central focus. Not those characters who I already hinted to have daddy/mummy issues. Nooo! Everything else is a mere diversion. The goal is not to weave clues together but to have readers think in retrospect. For what could be more effective than the dead? The least harmless character in the story. Plus, this serves as a sort of divine punishment or justice, y’know. I bet no one would see that coming."
Zoe suddenly going unhinged and murderous in front of Marianna feels so random. Fred following her and for some reason knowing she’ll be in danger is just convenient.
I could see Zoe as a total nutcase. Still sticking with the plan to frame up her professor. She’s suspicious from the very start and I wouldn’t mind if the second pov was actually her alternate personality/identity. With a little tweaking, it would probably make sense. Better than a kid having romantic and sexual relations with a deranged man twice her age.
"Oh, I’ve got an idea for the twist! What if we make someone who has no established motivation so far whatsoever our mysterious killer?? Remember how I’ve repeatedly alluded to the story of the Maiden, Persephone? That’s the central focus. Not those characters who I already hinted to have daddy/mummy issues. Nooo! Everything else is a mere diversion. The goal is not to weave clues together but to have readers think in retrospect. For what could be more effective than the dead? The least harmless character in the story. Plus, this serves as a sort of divine punishment or justice, y’know. I bet no one would see that coming."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Grief, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Stalking
Minor: Confinement, Suicide, Pedophilia, and Abandonment
nerdyforbooks_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It’s… fine. I didn’t really love or hate this book (I know - why the 2.5 stars then?). It was just… fine.
The pacing is horrible. While it kept me going since as a thriller, you knew something was going to happen you didn’t expect, it was just all over. Things would get moving with the case but then omg we got an entire chapter of our MC spiraling into depression over their spouse. It was just absolutely overwhelming. I also thought the book about dark academia, cults, Greek history, murders, etc would… I dunno, focus on those more?? Yet it all almost seemed like an afterthought to whatever point it was trying to reach.
Definitely not something I’ll pick up again. Don’t hate that I read it, didn’t struggle to finish it, but omg just not amazing. At least the twist that made absolutely no sense was exciting? I guess.
The pacing is horrible. While it kept me going since as a thriller, you knew something was going to happen you didn’t expect, it was just all over. Things would get moving with the case but then omg we got an entire chapter of our MC spiraling into depression over their spouse. It was just absolutely overwhelming. I also thought the book about dark academia, cults, Greek history, murders, etc would… I dunno, focus on those more?? Yet it all almost seemed like an afterthought to whatever point it was trying to reach.
Definitely not something I’ll pick up again. Don’t hate that I read it, didn’t struggle to finish it, but omg just not amazing. At least the twist that made absolutely no sense was exciting? I guess.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Murder, Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
dorin_d's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Rape, Pedophilia, and Suicide
theinstabookworm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
CW: murder, death of a parent, death of a sibling, cancer death, fatal car accident, fatal heart attack, death of a spouse, drowning death, death of a pet, domestic violence, mentions of self-harm, drug addiction, mentions of physical and sexual abuse, mentions of depression, mentions of suicide
THE GOOD: If you can suspend your disbelief I think this is a pretty good book, though I'll say I liked THE SILENT PATIENT more. I liked how it connected to THE SILENT PATIENT and would suggest reading this before that book because this takes place before it, although you can read that one first and it won't make too much of a difference. I liked the short chapters and that the story continued at the beginning of a new chapter rather than changing scenes. I put this off for quite a while after reading THE SILENT PATIENT because I was worried it would dive deeper into Greek mythology and I'm glad it didn't.
THE BAD: This was a slower burn. I also guessed the twist and wasn't thrilled with it.
Favourite quote: N/A
THE VERDICT: ★★★☆☆.5
THE GOOD: If you can suspend your disbelief I think this is a pretty good book, though I'll say I liked THE SILENT PATIENT more. I liked how it connected to THE SILENT PATIENT and would suggest reading this before that book because this takes place before it, although you can read that one first and it won't make too much of a difference. I liked the short chapters and that the story continued at the beginning of a new chapter rather than changing scenes. I put this off for quite a while after reading THE SILENT PATIENT because I was worried it would dive deeper into Greek mythology and I'm glad it didn't.
THE BAD: This was a slower burn. I also guessed the twist and wasn't thrilled with it.
Favourite quote: N/A
THE VERDICT: ★★★☆☆.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Murder, Death of parent, Car accident, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, and Physical abuse
zmartin2000's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The plot twist was thrown out of nowhere. It was honestly insane.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide and Adult/minor relationship
hey_leec's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Violence, Animal death, and Stalking
kelisabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual assault, Stalking, Murder, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Animal death, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Self harm, Incest, Suicide, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
marigold82's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
2.75
It had the potential to be amazing, but I truly felt like I missed a chapter or two. So many loose ends, wild jumps, outrageous twists that became comical.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Mental illness, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, and Pedophilia
Minor: Suicide
malihareza_19's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Animal death, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Suicide
melisat00's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Grief, Self harm, Stalking, Suicide, Violence, Drug abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts