Reviews with content warning for Animal death - دوشیزگان

Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

دوشیزگان by Alex Michaelides

317 reviews

deldc's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

lecari's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous dark mysterious fast-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: Yes

I enjoyed the setting (Cambridge University), the mythology and the fast pace. The writing style with lots of short chapters kept me interested, and I read it quickly.

But I didn't like the characters. Mariana especially annoyed me - why does every man want to date her? And her clumsy interference with the murder investigation just annoyed me.

I also didn't buy Zoe as the murderer. If the note was written by Sebastian, why didn't she recognise his handwriting? I know I'd know my partners anywhere. I just wasn't convinced. And the last few lines just made me dislike Mariana more.

Content Warnings

pomegranite's review against another edition

4.0

fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I really liked this book, to the point where I want to buy a personal copy to keep on my book shelf. I would read this story again and again if I could, I just... really liked it. I found myself instantly sucked into the pages of this book, struggling to put it down when I knew I needed a break. I was so enthralled with the setting, mystery, and Mariana as a character that I was thinking about this book constantly when I wasn't actively reading it. I also adored the constant mentions of greek myth and tragedy, perhaps because its such a big part of my life and interests. Everytime something was mentioned I would light up and feel my attention being drawn in even more. Though of course it had its problems... I felt the layout of the book was very aggravating at times. The chapters being comedically short from time to time. I also did not like the inclusion of Henry and Fred I felt they didn't have a real place in the story and everytime they came up I would roll my eyes or ask why they were even there. I also felt the twist at the end could have been built up a bit more, as I guessed one of the characters involvement and the other felt very out of left field. But I digress, cause in my opinion those are small things that didn't keep me from liking the book or the story that was being told. Again, I would easily reread this story and I loved how on the edge of the seat it kept me.

Content Warnings

caroline_mclaughlin's review against another edition

2.5

dark reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Disappointing and flat throughout. Way too many irrelevant characters who all have the same personality traits and are indistinguishable from one another. Literally every single character has daddy issues in the sense that they’re “gone”, which appears as both a major theme and the root of everyone’s issues. I’m shocked I was able to guess the ending though so early on, especially because the whole book seems built on pointless red herrings that make it clear something else is going on, but obfuscate all of the details to the point where it’s impossible to actually get a clear picture to try to come to the correct conclusion as a reader.

This is also why I’m annoyed with the specific use of premonition in the letter. Way too intentional especially when Fred is revealed to be following them, but has no payoff or purpose.

Also don’t even get me started on how the women are written and the stalker men.

Content Warnings

snowyshoes's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional mysterious sad 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: Complicated

the book revolves around a therapist and recent widow who is investigating a string of murders on the campus of her niece. the book takes a bit to pick up, but once it does it is very interesting. the language can be a bit flowery and sometimes feels as though the author is trying to fill empty space, but that is easily excusable as the inner monolgue of a highly educated narrator/protagonist. the story is woven together well and is one of the few mystery/suspense/horror books where I could not guess the ending

Content Warnings

thyapollo's review against another edition

3.0

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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: Complicated

Content Warnings

chassard's review against another edition

3.0

dark mysterious 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

Rough awful characters. Never really felt super connected to any of them. Mariana was frustrating and did things I can’t imagine any somewhat self preserving woman would do, when I realized this was written by a man it made more sense. So many random side characters that were vague and mysterious but didn’t really make sense to me. One of those endings that was shocking but not impressive in the way that makes you realize you missed something along the way. Entertaining enough but struggled to get into it. Wouldn’t really recommend it overall but it was okay.

Content Warnings