Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Once again Michaelides has completely shocked me with the ending. I really thought that I might be able to figure it out having read The Silent Patient. But nope!! The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars was that some of the characters seemed to be just thrown into the plot for distraction and didn’t make much sense to me. If there was more resolution/explanation for these characters in the ending, it wouldn’t have felt so rushed. But that’s just personal preference!
I loved that some characters from The Silent Patient were thrown in there. That was an unexpected little nugget to find while reading.
I’m already looking forward to the next book! Maybe I can figure it out this time.
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual assault
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Infertility, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Self harm
Let's start with the things I loved about this book. Firstly, I really appreciated that our narrator was a therapist. It was such a different perspective for a thriller novel that I felt added a whole deeper level to the reading experience. Being able to hear our narrator's thoughts on the whole scenario come from a place of psychological training offered an angle that wouldn't normally be shared.
I also was an absolute sucker for the dark academia aspect. I personally love Greek mythology and the way that it was woven into the mystery was beyond exciting and forced me - in a good way - into a higher level of thinking. It showed that the people of this world were smart, and needed to be to keep up with all of the happenings. Plus, it would only make sense that all these characters are so witty when the book takes place at such a high-ranking university. And that university setting should not go without its own praise. Setting the story in such an intimate and complex space - both for the current students' and faculty's present experience and for our main character's past - allowed for an appropriate amount of emotional claustrophobia, heightening senses but also panic.
Something that I have mixed feelings on is the men of the story. I, as a woman, appreciate that this book showed how truly creepy, unhinged, and terrifying men are on a day to day basis. Essentially every single man in this book was problematic in one way or another. And nearly all of them, if not all, took advantage of the women and crossed several boundaries throughout the story, mostly with unwarranted advances or generally presumptive and selfish behavior. Unfortunately, it felt accurate. However, the book is written by a man. To me, if you are a part of the community that perpetuates the problem - which is in this case, the disgusting way that men treat women - it isn't your place to provide the commentary on it.
Overall, a fascinating read and a contender for any dark academia/thriller fans.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Self harm, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Grief, Stalking
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Blood
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder