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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've really enjoyed the Stevie Bell books and, while I haven't read The Box in the Woods, I was pleased this was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award so I had a chance to give it a listen.
The premise was perfect for me: group of friends, manor house, murder.
But then most of the book was really just Stevie and David and relationship drama. Don't get me wrong, I love them as a couple, but especially in what claims to be a stand-alone, it should not be so heavily about a relationship established in other books. And then David breaking up with Stevie because she...knows what she wants too much? Instead of, like, having a conversation with her about his fears of the future? Completely out of character.
And ending a STANDALONE on a cliffhanger is wild.
Still a decent read but pretty disappointing.
The premise was perfect for me: group of friends, manor house, murder.
But then most of the book was really just Stevie and David and relationship drama. Don't get me wrong, I love them as a couple, but especially in what claims to be a stand-alone, it should not be so heavily about a relationship established in other books. And then David breaking up with Stevie because she...knows what she wants too much? Instead of, like, having a conversation with her about his fears of the future? Completely out of character.
And ending a STANDALONE on a cliffhanger is wild.
Still a decent read but pretty disappointing.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Solid storyline. Consistent with the rest of the series
I was really excited when this book came out and then forgot about it for a few months before I finally picked it up. I'm glad I read the reviews first and had some bit of warning about that cliffhanger ending, but I was still shocked and upset when it happened.
This book was pretty fast paced and enjoyable. I liked the mystery of The Nine and I feel like the reveal was a lot more fleshed out than in the previous book. I was actually able to follow along with the details and clues along the way.
I really like Stevie as a MC. She is likeable and relatable but also frustrating and obsessive and flawed and is always making mistakes and stupid decisions. I also really like Nate's character, he seems like someone I would have been friends with in high school. And you know what? David is the worst. He absolutely sucks. But also, I understand why Stevie is falling for his shit and not realizing that just because a guy doesn't outwardly act like an asshole, doesn't mean he isn't one. I 100% get it, and it makes me relate to her even more.
Speaking of the ending, which I'm not going to spoil here, I was upset. Like 20% upset because of what happened, but 80% upset because it was a cliffhanger and I just know it won't be addressed properly in the following book. I'm assuming we will have a time jump between novels and we will briefly discuss what happened after like it's old news. But I want to see the consequences of this all play out in real time. Maybe I'll be surprised by the next book and it will start immediately following this cliffhanger, but I'm not keeping my hopes up.
This book was pretty fast paced and enjoyable. I liked the mystery of The Nine and I feel like the reveal was a lot more fleshed out than in the previous book. I was actually able to follow along with the details and clues along the way.
I really like Stevie as a MC. She is likeable and relatable but also frustrating and obsessive and flawed and is always making mistakes and stupid decisions. I also really like Nate's character, he seems like someone I would have been friends with in high school. And you know what? David is the worst. He absolutely sucks. But also, I understand why Stevie is falling for his shit and not realizing that just because a guy doesn't outwardly act like an asshole, doesn't mean he isn't one. I 100% get it, and it makes me relate to her even more.
Speaking of the ending, which I'm not going to spoil here, I was upset. Like 20% upset because of what happened, but 80% upset because it was a cliffhanger and I just know it won't be addressed properly in the following book. I'm assuming we will have a time jump between novels and we will briefly discuss what happened after like it's old news. But I want to see the consequences of this all play out in real time. Maybe I'll be surprised by the next book and it will start immediately following this cliffhanger, but I'm not keeping my hopes up.
3.5/5
When I was like, 12, I was really into the TV show Monk starring the impeccable Tony Shaloub. After about 5 seasons, I quickly realized that all the murders had pretty much the exact same motive, but whatever. I watched through the finale and had a perfectly fine time doing so.
The two stand-alone companion novels to the Truly Devious series have a kinda similar problem. But I don't really mind that, because, like I said, I watched 8 seasons of Monk. Who am I to judge?
I do, however, take issue with the continued "will they or won't they?" between Stevie and David. I am old and I am tired. I enjoy these stand-alone mysteries, but I am unfortunately too old to be charmed by two college students going back and forth. At some point, you either will or you won't.
I probably could've forgiven the bits I didn't like so much if the ending weren't so gosh-dang abrupt. I l turned the page of my ebook, saw the acknowledgments, and said "REALLY. That's it?"
So 3.5 rounded down.
When I was like, 12, I was really into the TV show Monk starring the impeccable Tony Shaloub. After about 5 seasons, I quickly realized that all the murders had pretty much the exact same motive, but whatever. I watched through the finale and had a perfectly fine time doing so.
The two stand-alone companion novels to the Truly Devious series have a kinda similar problem. But I don't really mind that, because, like I said, I watched 8 seasons of Monk. Who am I to judge?
I do, however, take issue with the continued "will they or won't they?" between Stevie and David. I am old and I am tired. I enjoy these stand-alone mysteries, but I am unfortunately too old to be charmed by two college students going back and forth. At some point, you either will or you won't.
I probably could've forgiven the bits I didn't like so much if the ending weren't so gosh-dang abrupt. I l turned the page of my ebook, saw the acknowledgments, and said "REALLY. That's it?"
So 3.5 rounded down.
that ending actually hurt me in ways I don’t even know how to explain it’s all stupid stupid stupid stupidddd but I loved the mystery it was so much fun
so much was left unsaid I rlly hope there’s another book
I’m still thinking abt it …
so much was left unsaid I rlly hope there’s another book
I’m still thinking abt it …
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated