Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

10 reviews

_david_'s review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Oof to me, every part of this book missed its mark. In general I found everything in the book a bit over the top. 

First of all, Jason is supposed to be a genius. Yet it takes him ages to even think of the theory which can be figured out as a reader very quickly. If you've figured it out before Jason, there's not much joy in reading the story until he has figured it out too. You're just waiting and turning the pages until he does and you can finally continue. The way he acts is so hard to relate to. It's very hard to imagine the situations he encounters so it's hard to emphasize with his choices. However, at least after it all goes wrong once you'd think he change his behaviour right? 

Secondly, I'd like to discuss the science behind it. To me, it's very noticable that what we're reading has been written by an author who wanted to tell a story and then looked up the physic theories which would fit it best. The logic is not consistent and some of it almost works like magic. Yet the characters in the book use big words and existing theories to clarify the science behind it all. This is a very personal ick, I've barely ever encountered a piece of media that manages to do this well. The only ways I have seen this be pulled off, is to make up your own very clear very consitent rules or just pretend it's magic and do not explain it beyond what is necessary. 

My favourite part of the book beyond the very first chapter, in which Jason only talks about his family night and life choices, are the final few chapters. Yet I wish they pushed a little further. Let Jason be a little more selfish or a little more existential. I've read another review which points out a major flaw related to the inconsistent physics which did ruin these last chapters for me as well. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Blood, Physical abuse, Gore, Violence, Murder, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Grief, Kidnapping, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Mental illness, Abortion, Car accident, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Alcohol, Animal death, Drug use, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Self harm, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts

melaschnie's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Death, Drug use, Violence, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Stalking, Suicide, Grief, Medical content, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Vomit, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Abortion, Child death, Toxic friendship, and Torture

sierrabowers's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was a great science fiction story that is extremely relatable to the average reader. Have you ever wanted to change one decision that you have made and wonder what your life would be like if you had chosen differently? This book realistically answers that question through quantum mechanics and the theory of the multiverse. It sounds insane and it really is, but it also makes you think about your morals and what you would do if you were in the situation that Jason is in. If you’re a science lover and can comprehend complex situations, such as multiple versions of the same character in the same room, then go ahead and read this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Blood, Cursing, Death of parent, Child death, Gaslighting, Gore, Abandonment, Abortion, Violence, Gun violence, Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content

risaleel's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Gaslighting, and Murder

takecoverbooksptbo's review

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Gaslighting, Blood, Pandemic/Epidemic, Self harm, and Stalking

fkshg8465's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

Rounding up to five. This is the third of hood books I’ve read, and each one hits the sweet spot for me. I love this author’s mind. The way he writes opens up my mind. I’m going to read every one of his books between this year and next. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Death, Grief, Abandonment, Rape, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gore, Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Violence, and Sexual content

laurenbaggy's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, Drug use, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Child death, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Pregnancy

wickedgrumpy's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

The good:  I enjoyed the UberChat.  I felt that right when that was introduced a different ending could have spawned that turned into a lighthearted rom-com and I like to imagine that.

The bad:  I knew pretty early on that this was not going to be a favorite.  I don't read a lot of thrillers in general but I enjoy sci-fi so I figured I would give it a shot.  I couldn't stand the main character.  And thus, the book was doomed in my eyes.  The pacing was jumpy, and the plot was predictable (as in, I guessed what really happened in the first chapter and the main character didn't figure it out until the ~50% mark).  There was some promise for some thoughtful introspection but the approach was heavy-handed at best.  Some of the descriptions were vivid and others were flat out whacky.

I don't know if I will try another book by the author, but I don't think I was the intended audience for this work so who knows what the future holds.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abandonment, Body horror, Classism, Confinement, Torture, Pandemic/Epidemic, Rape, Self harm, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Sexism, Violence, Alcoholism, Cancer, Car accident, Child death, Infidelity, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

kyrstin_p1989's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

A sci-fi thriller, this book kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It was interesting and well-written. The story is compelling, unsettling, and fantastical. parts of the science-y description/explanation were outside my realm of comprehension but all in all this book is incredibly accessible to all readers. The chapters are really long but the writing style made the book fly by for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Vomit, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexual content, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Stalking, Torture, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Abandonment, Animal death, Grief, Gun violence, and Animal cruelty

kaadee's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I feel like this book is what the Midnight Library tried so hard to do. 
A philosophical book about how we have many facets and lives. It was enjoyable, so enjoyable I finished it in a day. There are many problems I have though 

First off, the writing style. I’m not usually one to dog on a writing style (because I mean I’m not a published author so what say do I really have?) But specifically this writing style gets very annoying after a while. It’s kinda like this.
He runs. 
He hides.
He cries.

I mean, I enjoy different sentences lengths but there were too many short sentence that took up a majority of the book.

My second problem is the cube. I mean, we barely know anything about it. What about the Jason who built the cube’s world? I feel like we get no explanation except for Amanda, which we learn basically nothing about. I mean, what happens to the cube after this? Will the cube be around forever? If Jason2 dies does that mean his reality dies with him? How is the cube still around? I feel like personally I just have a ton of unanswered questions about how the world works.

My third problem is Amanda. I really enjoyed her character, I mean what we got from it. We don’t really get any explanation to who she is except she was Jason2’s therapist. I mean from the story they seemed like lovers or something along those lines. Half way through she just ups and leaves???? I mean HELLO?? What happened to her? Is she ok? Is she happy? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS??

My fourth problem is the ending. I enjoyed it but I felt like something was missing. I feel like the story is unfinished (and maybe that’s for a reason) but I feel like this story could have REALLY benefited from an epilogue. What happens to them after they open a new door? Are they happy? The author put me through a whirlwind of emotions just to give me NOTHING 👏👏👏👏

There’s tons of things I like about the story though. I really enjoy Jason’s character and how much he strives for his family’s happiness, even willing to sacrifice himself. I enjoyed Amanda, I enjoyed Dani and Charlie.
I really liked the multiple Jason’s trying to kill him and especially the ending where they all look at him go into the cube. I thought the plot was really interesting I just wish it had a bit more in terms of good ending and explanation.
Otherwise it’s really good! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, and Stalking

Minor: Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Drug use