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beastreader's review
4.0
This book is right up my reading wheelhouse. Thus the reason I was really excited to read it. I would classify this book as a psychological thriller but it was more on the milder side for me. Why I say this is because the first third of the story, I felt like I was more just kind of in the action of reading the book but not nothing was grabbing me and making me engaged with it. The pacing and intensity did pick up the further I got into the story. Something changed and the latter half of the story was a different vibe. I was into it and could not stop reading.
Mirrorland sounded like both a nightmare and intriguing place. It is no wonder that El and Cat were torn about Mirrorland. It was filled with an evil pirate, Blackbeard, and Clown to name a few but it also had good people like Mouse.
Now that El is missing, Cat will be forced to revisit Mirrorland. She will have to confront her fears if she wants to learn the truth about what happened to her sister. I will tell you that I did not see how this story was going to play out until the author wanted me to. This is so refreshing as it has been a while since I have been stumped about the plot of the story. It is hard to believe that this book is Carole Johnstone's debut novel. She already is showing she is a force to be reckoned with her debut novel, Mirrorland!
Mirrorland sounded like both a nightmare and intriguing place. It is no wonder that El and Cat were torn about Mirrorland. It was filled with an evil pirate, Blackbeard, and Clown to name a few but it also had good people like Mouse.
Now that El is missing, Cat will be forced to revisit Mirrorland. She will have to confront her fears if she wants to learn the truth about what happened to her sister. I will tell you that I did not see how this story was going to play out until the author wanted me to. This is so refreshing as it has been a while since I have been stumped about the plot of the story. It is hard to believe that this book is Carole Johnstone's debut novel. She already is showing she is a force to be reckoned with her debut novel, Mirrorland!
nicjohnston's review
3.0
Mirrorland is a smart debut. Twisty and well written, it has some of the most tense plotting and dialogue that I’ve come across in quite some time. It really does grab you such that you need to unravel the whole tale over a couple of chunky sittings.
It does however have some flaws. The first third is a little heavy with tales of childhood ‘games’, which later have context but initially come across as bordering on magical realism (which isn’t for me). Once I had a grip of where we were headed, I enjoyed the book a lot more. It also maybe takes the plot and it’s journey a couple of steps too far, but the ending very much brings the strands together.
It is a hugely enjoyable read and very sure footed. A rounded up 3.5*
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy in consideration of an honest review.
It does however have some flaws. The first third is a little heavy with tales of childhood ‘games’, which later have context but initially come across as bordering on magical realism (which isn’t for me). Once I had a grip of where we were headed, I enjoyed the book a lot more. It also maybe takes the plot and it’s journey a couple of steps too far, but the ending very much brings the strands together.
It is a hugely enjoyable read and very sure footed. A rounded up 3.5*
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy in consideration of an honest review.
sarah_u's review
3.0
3.5 ⭐️ probably would've been better reading instead of listening to the audiobook
kyndrawr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sharkattak13's review
5.0
Took me a little bit to get into it but, once your hooked, you can’t put it down.
gellyreads's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think the main things I enjoy about this book are the way that it examines abuse and how it affects people and how well spaced out plot reveals are. This book has made me realize just how much I think I hate last minute twists in books that think they're clever, or make no sense, or just try to trick the reader. Although, you could argue that this book attempts to do that with the reveal that El is alive and that Mouse is their sister. I was really annoyed that the book FINALLY convinced me that El was dead when we got her ashes and we saw Cat's grief, so when she was revealed to be alive, I won't lie, my petty ass made me lower this from a 5 to a 4 star book. I enjoy the way this handled dark topics and generational trauma. This book is not for the faint of heart or a light read, but if you're in the mood for it, I think it is worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Incest, Alcoholism, Violence, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, and Drug use
rachel_weir's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? No
2.5
alongreader's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this would be a fantasy, from the blurb. It's actually a thriller/mystery, and sadly I found it wasn't grabbing me. It's too slow to explain things for my taste, though I'm sure some readers will love trying to piece it all together. It wasn't for me, sadly, but I hope it does well.
courtknee_bee's review
3.0
3 stars
There were a lot of things I liked here - the gothic tone, the childhood fantasies, the twin connection - but ultimately there were just too many things going on. Johnstone needed to cut a plot line or two.
There were a lot of things I liked here - the gothic tone, the childhood fantasies, the twin connection - but ultimately there were just too many things going on. Johnstone needed to cut a plot line or two.
bernie13's review
5.0
This book reminds me so much of my childhood. My sisters and I also had pretend or make believe places that we would go and I too am a twin. This book made me feel so many things and I have never cried at a mystery/thriller/crime book before. For that I feel like I just have to give it 5 stars.