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fluffyparrots's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
gemmaduds's review
2.0
The idea of this thriller sounded perfect for me – millionaire families buying into an underground complex to escape a deadly virus on the surface. They end up getting trapped inside, and then the chaos begins when the bodycount starts to rise…
I was initially disappointed with the authors’ writing style (a collaboration between Sarah Lotz and Louis Greenberg). The characters aren’t great and I didn’t feel much depth to them, despite knowing their backgrounds and why they were there. The setting isn’t well described and the tension is on the whole, a bit of a wash out. There were only two characters I thought felt genuine – James and Reuben. It doesn’t feel much like there is a killer on the loose, but Brett, a brutal 18 year old who bullies his way around the complex, gets away with a LOT and that also didn’t seem genuine given the circumstances. The book isn’t scary or thrilling and reads a lot like teen fiction rather than (as mentioned in the blurb) a Stephen King/Michael Crichton mash-up.
I stuck with ‘Under Ground’ however because the pages were turning quickly enough and I’m glad that I did. After 250 pages of stumbling along, the style and the substance ramps right up. The tension is full on throughout the last 40 pages and the build up is actually worth the effort. James really comes into his own as a character and the ending is satisfying enough to not feel like a cop out. THIS is where the ‘thrill’ comes into play. I couldn’t take my eyes off it and ended up sat in a car park, racing through to finish before I felt I could drive home from work.
I think that if the whole book had been written with the same tension and skill as the final section, I would have been able to give it 4 stars, but as it stands I would give it 2.5/5 if I could.
I was initially disappointed with the authors’ writing style (a collaboration between Sarah Lotz and Louis Greenberg). The characters aren’t great and I didn’t feel much depth to them, despite knowing their backgrounds and why they were there. The setting isn’t well described and the tension is on the whole, a bit of a wash out. There were only two characters I thought felt genuine – James and Reuben. It doesn’t feel much like there is a killer on the loose, but Brett, a brutal 18 year old who bullies his way around the complex, gets away with a LOT and that also didn’t seem genuine given the circumstances. The book isn’t scary or thrilling and reads a lot like teen fiction rather than (as mentioned in the blurb) a Stephen King/Michael Crichton mash-up.
I stuck with ‘Under Ground’ however because the pages were turning quickly enough and I’m glad that I did. After 250 pages of stumbling along, the style and the substance ramps right up. The tension is full on throughout the last 40 pages and the build up is actually worth the effort. James really comes into his own as a character and the ending is satisfying enough to not feel like a cop out. THIS is where the ‘thrill’ comes into play. I couldn’t take my eyes off it and ended up sat in a car park, racing through to finish before I felt I could drive home from work.
I think that if the whole book had been written with the same tension and skill as the final section, I would have been able to give it 4 stars, but as it stands I would give it 2.5/5 if I could.
laura__reads's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don't even know how to rate this book. Something about it made me want to keep reading, but I don't really know what that something was. I disliked most characters, they were either toxic, racist, or simply crazy, or all of those. The only characters I really cared about were Cait and Sarita (a 4 year old side character). James and, towards the end, Tyson seemed nice enough too, but they weren't angels. I thought the tension between them was somewhat interesting though.
I started reading this book and loved the prologue, it made me want to keep going when I actually just wanted to read the first page. The middle part was- interesting. Lots of racism and fatshaming that wasn't really addressed; characters that were honestly insane; toxic and abusive relationships. And in the middle of it all: a possible murder and, eventually, more than just one.
I wanted to keep reading and find out who the murderer was, and towards the ending the book got quite suspenseful. The reveal at the end didn't shock or surprise me, but I hadn't guessed it by myself either, and it was a good twist. The last quarter of the book is what I enjoyed most, and I have actually thought about rating the book 3.5 stars- or maybe 3.25. Because of all the toxic people and relationships and the whole "let's just insult everyone we meet" thing, I decided to give it 3 stars though.
Would I recommend this book?
If you want to read about toxic relationships between a bunch of rich people and about a murder that needs to be solved (and an ending that is actually quite suspenseful), yes. If you want to fall in love with the characters, no.
The book is medium to fast paced though, I can't really tell you why tbh, but it didn't take me that long to read and I wasn't bored while reading it for the most part. There are definitely better thrillers though.
I started reading this book and loved the prologue, it made me want to keep going when I actually just wanted to read the first page. The middle part was- interesting. Lots of racism and fatshaming that wasn't really addressed; characters that were honestly insane; toxic and abusive relationships. And in the middle of it all: a possible murder and, eventually, more than just one.
I wanted to keep reading and find out who the murderer was, and towards the ending the book got quite suspenseful. The reveal at the end didn't shock or surprise me, but I hadn't guessed it by myself either, and it was a good twist. The last quarter of the book is what I enjoyed most, and I have actually thought about rating the book 3.5 stars- or maybe 3.25. Because of all the toxic people and relationships and the whole "let's just insult everyone we meet" thing, I decided to give it 3 stars though.
Would I recommend this book?
If you want to read about toxic relationships between a bunch of rich people and about a murder that needs to be solved (and an ending that is actually quite suspenseful), yes. If you want to fall in love with the characters, no.
The book is medium to fast paced though, I can't really tell you why tbh, but it didn't take me that long to read and I wasn't bored while reading it for the most part. There are definitely better thrillers though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Includes attempted r*pelilgranolabar32's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.5
The story &idea where good and the setup was pretty cool. But I didn't like the execution. (This might be because i read the german version, but the style/wording was a bit off sometimes.) Although the book failed to make me feel what the characters supposedly felt (a shame since it is a thriller...) i finished it. The ending was good and unexpected.
It was a bit disappointing.
It was a bit disappointing.
franny19222's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
kim_icarus's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
civreader's review
4.0
An outstanding pair of final chapters - really superb ending. Can't remember the last time "realization dawned" while reading a novel.
There were a couple of niggles, though, including a continuity issue towards the end, when I think a chapter may have been moved (it references something that hasn't happened yet, as if it had).
A quickly-paced, slow-burn of a novel. At times it felt like not a whole lot was happening, and I wondered where it was going, but it pays off in a big way at the end.
Very much recommended.
There were a couple of niggles, though, including a continuity issue towards the end, when I think a chapter may have been moved (it references something that hasn't happened yet, as if it had).
A quickly-paced, slow-burn of a novel. At times it felt like not a whole lot was happening, and I wondered where it was going, but it pays off in a big way at the end.
Very much recommended.
vickybrewster's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
etienne02's review
3.0
Légère et divertissante cette lecture ne peut cependant mériter mieux que trois étoiles. Quelques longueurs, des tonnes de clichés, des personnages qui prennent décisions stupides après décisions stupides et une fin tirée par les cheveux. Le concept, sans être très original, était intéressant et la première moitié se passe assez bien, mais dans la deuxième les failles s'élargissent. On dirait un que les auteurs n'avaient pas vraiment de plan et inventait le tout à mesure que l'écriture avançait, certains disent le faire et semblent le faire à merveille, mais ici ça sent l'improvisation par moment. Comme un film de série B, divertissant, mais on passe vite à autre chose. J'ai hésité entre 3/5 et 2,5/5, j'y vais avec trois, mais à la limite.