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lenemsl's review
I didnt like the characters at all, and if we're only following them throughout the story I just dont see the point in continuing it. Especially when I was just bored and annoyed 1/4 in as well.
yeah_nahnia's review
5.0
A slow burn but a very satisfying one, this story gives you a relatively good idea of what's going on and then toys with the possibilities and intricacies until the final page. Even though we're reduced to having only two characters in the entirety of the book, it definitely works quite well in this case, even though the characters aren't especially fleshed out.
caitpoytress's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I might have even given this 4 stars had I read it in winter. Does that sound weird? Some books are just seasonal to me, and this is definitely a cold weather book. I think it would have enhanced the experience.
Reading the first page, I was worried that Joyce's writing style (choppy and somewhat repetitive) would bother me too much to enjoy the story. Either his writing got better as the book progressed or I was just too engrossed to notice it anymore. This is a can't put it down / can't wait to pick it up book (and I really needed one of those). It succeeded in creeping me out more than once, and the description of being trapped in an avalanche had me feeling downright panicky. The ending was a slight let down, but I've kind of come to expect that with stories like these. The resolution never seems quite able to match the tension and suspense of the buildup. Once the questions have been answered and the mysteries solved, it's... well, not mysterious anymore. And that's the driving force of the story, so it's natural to feel a bit deflated once that sense of the unknown is gone. While it's there, though, it is good.
By the way,
I might have even given this 4 stars had I read it in winter. Does that sound weird? Some books are just seasonal to me, and this is definitely a cold weather book. I think it would have enhanced the experience.
Reading the first page, I was worried that Joyce's writing style (choppy and somewhat repetitive) would bother me too much to enjoy the story. Either his writing got better as the book progressed or I was just too engrossed to notice it anymore. This is a can't put it down / can't wait to pick it up book (and I really needed one of those). It succeeded in creeping me out more than once, and the description of being trapped in an avalanche had me feeling downright panicky. The ending was a slight let down, but I've kind of come to expect that with stories like these. The resolution never seems quite able to match the tension and suspense of the buildup. Once the questions have been answered and the mysteries solved, it's... well, not mysterious anymore. And that's the driving force of the story, so it's natural to feel a bit deflated once that sense of the unknown is gone. While it's there, though, it is good.
By the way,
Spoiler
I liked the ending of LOST. So there.singsthewren's review
3.0
This was a really fascinating mystery with a light sprinkling of the supernatural. Sort of a thriller character portrait.
The tone was really interesting, because at first I felt like the writing was a little bit simplistic, but as it went there were some truly beautiful turns of phrase. By the end I was really enjoying the writing as well as the story.
The characters were the focus of the plot, and they really shone. They felt very real, with three-dimensional flaws and strengths.
The end was satisfying, it wrapped up nicely, and it left me thinking a little about where it had gone. Overall, I enjoyed it!
The tone was really interesting, because at first I felt like the writing was a little bit simplistic, but as it went there were some truly beautiful turns of phrase. By the end I was really enjoying the writing as well as the story.
The characters were the focus of the plot, and they really shone. They felt very real, with three-dimensional flaws and strengths.
The end was satisfying, it wrapped up nicely, and it left me thinking a little about where it had gone. Overall, I enjoyed it!
margotreadsbooks's review
3.0
This book constantly felt like it was going to break into a great novel- with a feeling inspired by Stephen King's The Shining. It edged a bit upon born-again Christian preachiness- although it never really went there. The ending left a lot to be desired.
jen286's review
1.0
Why do authors have to end books horribly? If this book would have ended differently I would have really enjoyed it. As I was reading it I was telling a friend about it like you have to check it out! But then I got to the end...and it was bad. It left me feeling like really? That is what you had it be? Really? Thanks for wasting my time.
quietdomino's review
3.0
Empty hotels are inherently creepy and interesting, and most of the middle part of this novel was both page-turning and compelling, but the end was for me the opposite.
ofearna's review
3.0
I knew the "surprise" about 1/2 way through the book... And I've never read his stuff before.
claritybear's review
4.0
"Discovering" Graham Joyce a few days ago (bless a fellow librarian for the rec) has been so exciting. Such vivid descriptions, rich characters, intriguing stories, great sex scenes (yeah, I said it), it's all engrossing. I've only read two of his books so far-both deeply similar and quite different all at once-and I'm so pleased there are quite a few more for me to devour.