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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I tried not to read this book 3 times. I stopped at 3 places in the book, but something always drew me back in.
A Good Story
I wouldn’t say this was a nail-biter, but an intriguing enough story that I read the entire book. I made no attempt to “solve” the crime and am content with the way the author ended the book.
I wouldn’t say this was a nail-biter, but an intriguing enough story that I read the entire book. I made no attempt to “solve” the crime and am content with the way the author ended the book.
Don't fall asleep listening to this audiobook...damn those were some dark dreams.
This one I've had for a while...actually I bought it's a physical book, then an ebook, and finally audiobook. I read it as all three consecutively to make sure to get the full experience. It was a dark picture. I utterly crept multiple times.
I liked the mind f- this book did to you. I went in as a skeptic, totally became sucked in by Cleo and that freaking shadow, talked myself out of any wrongdoings, and then the pocketwatch put me back to "oh hell no!"
I don't love the end...I like answers and wanted to know everything, but I do get it and still really enjoyed (not sure if that is the best word) this book. I need to reread it...after I recover. I need some cute fluff first...a lot of cute fluff.
This one I've had for a while...actually I bought it's a physical book, then an ebook, and finally audiobook. I read it as all three consecutively to make sure to get the full experience. It was a dark picture. I utterly crept multiple times.
I liked the mind f- this book did to you. I went in as a skeptic, totally became sucked in by Cleo and that freaking shadow, talked myself out of any wrongdoings, and then the pocketwatch put me back to "oh hell no!"
I don't love the end...I like answers and wanted to know everything, but I do get it and still really enjoyed (not sure if that is the best word) this book. I need to reread it...after I recover. I need some cute fluff first...a lot of cute fluff.
I was super into this for the first 1/2 of the book. The second 1/2 just lost me. It got really convoluted and it did not need to be 600 pages.
A really good audio listen (even though that means you have to look at the pretty pictures separately on your computer). Fast-paced, tightly plotted, and leaves you at the end reaching back to remember this or that part to see how it fits in with the revelations of the conclusion.
Spoiler
I thought it was perfect how the book ends in the same way Cordova's films are said to, and lets the reader decide what the real answer to the whole puzzle is.
I'm one of those people who absolutely judges a book by its cover. Growing up I've been told that's a huge no no, but honestly I believe if a publishing company and author want their book to sell, they need to give it some "curb appeal." I don't think that's unfair. I passed by this book in Powell's City of Books. It immediately caught my attention, it was dark, mysterious, and shiny (haha). The very next day I purchased it on my Kindle and jumped into it. The day after that I went back to Powell's and purchased a hard copy so that I could have the multi-sensory experience this book offers. Finding this book was one of my greatest literary successes. I mean, a thriller about the daughter of a cult horror film director found mysteriously dead? Yes, please!
I read this book about a year ago and I don't remember ever feeling so satisfied after reading a book (except maybe with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Oh my gosh is this book A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. I believe this is the direction that books should be taking in order to appeal to young people who say they hate to read. It was rather enjoyable to download the app to access additional content. The multi-sensory experience is something that I am constantly on the look out for with other books. There was text, audio, and visuals. In addition, I found myself reading this book with Google Maps open so I can follow the protagonist on his journey through New York City as a lot of the locations that Pessl writes about are real. Whenever she mentioned a location or street, I would just punch it into maps and voila! I was right there with McGrath. I loved the characters and felt that Nora and Hopper were very complementary to each other and fantastic foils to McGrath himself.
Read this book! You won't regret it! Now...how do I get my hands on 40 copies so I can teach this book in my senior English classes...
I read this book about a year ago and I don't remember ever feeling so satisfied after reading a book (except maybe with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Oh my gosh is this book A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. I believe this is the direction that books should be taking in order to appeal to young people who say they hate to read. It was rather enjoyable to download the app to access additional content. The multi-sensory experience is something that I am constantly on the look out for with other books. There was text, audio, and visuals. In addition, I found myself reading this book with Google Maps open so I can follow the protagonist on his journey through New York City as a lot of the locations that Pessl writes about are real. Whenever she mentioned a location or street, I would just punch it into maps and voila! I was right there with McGrath. I loved the characters and felt that Nora and Hopper were very complementary to each other and fantastic foils to McGrath himself.
Read this book! You won't regret it! Now...how do I get my hands on 40 copies so I can teach this book in my senior English classes...
pessl's last book was one of my very faves, and i've been waiting for years for this one. it didn't disappoint, exactly, but it wasn't what i had hoped it would be. i found the narrator and his peers well drawn and compelling, and pessl's writing is very good. but i just didn't care about the main "villain" in the story. he seemed somewhat of a caricature and not as scary as i think he was meant to me. a good story, but not having the "wow" that i was hoping for.
I was intrigued by the hype and five star reviews of Night Film, but the intrigue only lasted for the first hundred pages or so. The author creates and interesting plot idea, and then butchers it with flat, annoying characters, unnecessary details (maybe 200 pages worth), and lacking climax. I struggled to make it through, hoping for a payoff in the end. Alas, it was a huge waste of time, the ending being more boring and uneventful than I could have imagined. Now I need some Neil Gaiman to rinse my brain of this crap!
I really enjoyed this but if I was being really picky, everything just felt a little bit too convenient. I imagine the author had a room where the walls were covered in notes with bits of string connecting everything together. There is one chapter in particular near the end where literally every clue, every loose end is explained. Normally this would be a good thing but there are SO MANY OF THEM it makes the ending of the book feel a little more light weight than it should have done.
If you strip this book down to its most basic form, it's basically an 18 rated version of ABBA the Movie but it definitely doesn't end with a rendition of "Thank You For The Music..
If you strip this book down to its most basic form, it's basically an 18 rated version of ABBA the Movie but it definitely doesn't end with a rendition of "Thank You For The Music..
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated