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3.01 AVERAGE
3.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Netgalley ARC
This was one of those books that had so much potential, but never quite got there.
A lawyer who finds herself in a courtroom and doesn't know how she got there sounded like a great premise and I usually don't mind unreliable narrators in a thriller. This case has a defendant who is a neo-nazi whose bomb killed a large number of people. Now we have the added complication of the lawyer's daughter missing - and her life depends on what happens in this case. And, if that wasn't enough, the case is happening on an Alcatraz-like island.
But the suspense was lost for me in all the legal mumbo jumbo, which dragged on and on. It wasn't sold as a legal thriller, so this was frustrating. The story was just weird and I found it too confusing even for a speculative fiction novel. This one wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This was one of those books that had so much potential, but never quite got there.
A lawyer who finds herself in a courtroom and doesn't know how she got there sounded like a great premise and I usually don't mind unreliable narrators in a thriller. This case has a defendant who is a neo-nazi whose bomb killed a large number of people. Now we have the added complication of the lawyer's daughter missing - and her life depends on what happens in this case. And, if that wasn't enough, the case is happening on an Alcatraz-like island.
But the suspense was lost for me in all the legal mumbo jumbo, which dragged on and on. It wasn't sold as a legal thriller, so this was frustrating. The story was just weird and I found it too confusing even for a speculative fiction novel. This one wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Such Ace Attorney vibes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Confinement, Genocide, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol
Premise was super interesting but it was just really hard to get into. I wasn't sure where the story was going to go which was nice but it ended up being quite busy and confusing which lost me further. Lost me a little bit more the more complicated it got. So I was disappointed of way it was written and the ending it’s not a bad book, but probably not my kinda of book
adventurous
challenging
dark
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:
Complicated
I recently read ‘The Trials of Lila Dalton, ’ which was quite unique, and I found it to be a refreshing change of pace. The plot was intriguing, and while it had a strong political theme, it was interesting to see these themes explored in a fictional context. The story dealt with some sensitive issues that may be triggering for some readers, but I appreciated the author's approach to these topics.
The story's trajectory was unique, and I found the main character complex and thought-provoking. The blending of reality and dreams was executed in a way that was both creative and engaging, and it kept me invested in the story until the end.
While this book may not be for everyone, I believe it's a worthwhile read for those looking for something different. It's an excellent choice for readers who enjoy exploring complex themes in a fictional context and who appreciate dreamlike surrealism. Unfortunately, I have since discovered this is not for my personal preferences.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those who are open-minded and willing to explore new ideas in their reading.
The story's trajectory was unique, and I found the main character complex and thought-provoking. The blending of reality and dreams was executed in a way that was both creative and engaging, and it kept me invested in the story until the end.
While this book may not be for everyone, I believe it's a worthwhile read for those looking for something different. It's an excellent choice for readers who enjoy exploring complex themes in a fictional context and who appreciate dreamlike surrealism. Unfortunately, I have since discovered this is not for my personal preferences.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those who are open-minded and willing to explore new ideas in their reading.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
This book had me!! And then it didn’t. It had such a great initial premise though!! 🫠
I think if the author would have focused on the initial plot - a female barrister opening her eyes in court to find she doesn’t remember who or where she is - it would have been an excellent read! However, it got very confusing when the author introduced so much on top of that: neo-nazism, mind control, memory alterations, white supremacy, politics, satanism, conspiracies. It was just too much - at least for me, anyways! 😅
As always, not every book is for every person, so feel free to check this one out if it sounds good to you! 😊
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review! ❤️ I also listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was pretty good!
I think if the author would have focused on the initial plot - a female barrister opening her eyes in court to find she doesn’t remember who or where she is - it would have been an excellent read! However, it got very confusing when the author introduced so much on top of that: neo-nazism, mind control, memory alterations, white supremacy, politics, satanism, conspiracies. It was just too much - at least for me, anyways! 😅
As always, not every book is for every person, so feel free to check this one out if it sounds good to you! 😊
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review! ❤️ I also listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was pretty good!