Reviews

Magpie by Elizabeth Day

baybooks's review against another edition

3.0

Reading this book was a quick and enjoyable experience The chapters written in Marisa’s POV were so believable and her perspective made Jake and Kate seem despicable!
I enjoyed the plot twist as I did not predict it.
The ending wrapped everything up nicely. I would recommend this book to readers who have enjoyed soap operas and dramatic media. The message about doing anything for your child was clear and helped me sympathize with the women in the story.
Thank you to netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

esmith11's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

calystabriggs's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

khushboomathuria's review against another edition

3.0

It was not what I was looking for in a book. It was slightly underwhelming and too abruptly wrapped up

sarah_jones's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

helena26's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

becky_grz's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

theaceofstace's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.0

lee_griffith's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

3.75

megan_bbender's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

My friends call me Magpie so when I saw this book on the shelf I just had to get it. It's not the most amazing book I have ever read but it also isn't the worst. I really enjoyed certain parts of it, but I found that there were lots and lots of filler pages that were very slow and boring to read. 

I feel as if the author does not think the readers are smart enough to figure out the twist on their own which is why there was so much back and forth between the past and present. This is what made the book feel so slow, because you are reading over the same scenario twice. 

After looking up the author, I can appreciate that this book may have a lot more deeper meaning as it possibly reflects some of her personal experiences with marriage and IVF but I personally cannot relate to these issues so there was not a strong connection for me. 

With that being said, the twists and turns were really unexpected and they kept me on the edge of my seat. The ending was a bit predictable but it was still enjoyable.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Miscarriage, Infertility, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence