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bessadams's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Grief, Blood, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Infertility, Drug use, Murder, Physical abuse, Stalking, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Domestic abuse
kshy's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
2.0
I hated the twist. It would've been more believable if Fosca had used Zoe to carry out the murders. That way, he wouldn't necessarily have been "innocent", but he also wouldn't have been the murderer, which obviosuly couldn't have been done, as it would've been too predictable. These are the issues that arise when you reveal the "killer" on the first page. It felt sloppy that Sebastian was the one revealed to have been writing the letters, because we weren't given any hints to the fact that he was evil at all. Is it believable that someone, specifically a THERAPIST, could be married to a person for over a DECADE, and not pick up on a single sign or clue that that person was actually a psychopath and had serious psychological isssues and childhood trauma??
I felt that a lot of loose ends were left unexplained, and it felt like the entire book was built up with a ton of information (some of it unnecessary) only for the ending to take a completely opposite and hasty direction.
Henry's presence in the story was completely unnecessary, and served no purpose. The author could literally remove the entire character from the book, and it would have no impact on the plot or our understanding of the other characters.
Also, I have to add that so much of the book was completely unrealistic, specifically with the main character.Would any sane person ever, specifically a therapist who is used to and knows the inner-workings of troubled minds, WILLINGLY GO ALONE TO DINNER AT THE HOUSE OF THE PERSON THEY SUSPECTED WAS A SERIAL KILLER?!?? It'd be fine if the main character who did this was an unsuspecting, naive individual, but a therapist?!!! Who is extensively and professionally trained on the actions of psychopaths?? Also, the fact that Mariana dismissed Henry when he showed signs of self-harm and simply left without getting him help or calling 911 is wildly unrealistic for a character who is said to be a licensed therapist.
Some things I enjoyed about the book were the author's incorporation of and connections to greek mythology. I love when a book tricks me into learning something I didn't previously know, especially when it is done in an interesting way. I also thought the book was written well, for the most part, and had an intriguing vocabulary. The psychological aspects of it and how it analyzed characters from the mind of a therapist was very interesting, specifically in that it disected the human mind and how events in a person's childhood can alter their mind and impact them for the rest of their life. For that, and for the fact that I was interested enough to keep reading and finish the book, it gets 2 stars. When I began this review, I planned to give it 4 stars, but the more I analyzed and thought about it, the more stars I deducted.
I felt that a lot of loose ends were left unexplained, and it felt like the entire book was built up with a ton of information (some of it unnecessary) only for the ending to take a completely opposite and hasty direction.
Henry's presence in the story was completely unnecessary, and served no purpose. The author could literally remove the entire character from the book, and it would have no impact on the plot or our understanding of the other characters.
Also, I have to add that so much of the book was completely unrealistic, specifically with the main character.
Some things I enjoyed about the book were the author's incorporation of and connections to greek mythology. I love when a book tricks me into learning something I didn't previously know, especially when it is done in an interesting way. I also thought the book was written well, for the most part, and had an intriguing vocabulary. The psychological aspects of it and how it analyzed characters from the mind of a therapist was very interesting, specifically in that it disected the human mind and how events in a person's childhood can alter their mind and impact them for the rest of their life. For that, and for the fact that I was interested enough to keep reading and finish the book, it gets 2 stars. When I began this review, I planned to give it 4 stars, but the more I analyzed and thought about it, the more stars I deducted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Stalking, Murder, Self harm, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Violence, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Car accident, Forced institutionalization, Incest, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Abandonment, Addiction, Infidelity, and Drug use
brookey8888's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
This was so entertaining!
Honestly, it was just vibes like nothing was happening, but a lot was happening and I was interested the whole time if that makes sense. I really liked the character‘s and the little dash of a romance. I did not see that ending coming like at all I was actually shocked , I don’t know this was really entertaining and fun it’s not the best mystery. I feel like but I wasn’t trying too hard to guess and I didn’t guess. I think this is my first like dark academia book and I ate it up. I’m excited to read the silent patient now because I saw those little Easter eggs about it. When I was reading, I actually had to stop and like scream a little and because I was like there’s no way.
Honestly, it was just vibes like nothing was happening, but a lot was happening and I was interested the whole time if that makes sense. I really liked the character‘s and the little dash of a romance. I did not see that ending coming like at all I was actually shocked , I don’t know this was really entertaining and fun it’s not the best mystery. I feel like but I wasn’t trying too hard to guess and I didn’t guess. I think this is my first like dark academia book and I ate it up. I’m excited to read the silent patient now because I saw those little Easter eggs about it. When I was reading, I actually had to stop and like scream a little and because I was like there’s no way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Infertility, Sexual assault, Violence, Animal death, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Abandonment, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, and Grief
tacochelle's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I'm 0 for 2 on thrillers featuring psychologists or therapists. Mariana was annoying, made dumb decisions, and spouts psych info like a textbook. She breaches so many ethical boundaries as a therapist, ones that she should know better. She came across as too clinical. The idea of a dark academia thriller using Greek tragedies to help tell their story is a great idea, but not used enough here. Again, Mariana was too distant from the action, and very focused on her own grief than the shit going on around her. The red herrings were obvious, because they're all the same type of guy that all stalk her. The twist was not great, not many clues towards that end, and it ends so suddenly after the reveal. I feel like if the story was told by one of the students, one of the Maidens even, it would be more interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Mental illness, and Stalking
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Self harm
Minor: Drug use and Infidelity
nadia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I went into this (audio)book (from Libro.fm's ALC Program) with very low expectations and I guess that helped because I ended up really enjoying it.
I know there are some plot holes, some incredibly unappetising realities to it, some things that were predictable, etc., but I stayed intrigued and guessing (at least some parts) the whole way so that wins a lot of points in my book!
Also, I'm a sucker for a campus setting, especially one incredibly closely related to my own university experience!
I know there are some plot holes, some incredibly unappetising realities to it, some things that were predictable, etc., but I stayed intrigued and guessing (at least some parts) the whole way so that wins a lot of points in my book!
Also, I'm a sucker for a campus setting, especially one incredibly closely related to my own university experience!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Moderate: Stalking and Pedophilia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
antidietleah's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Infertility
Minor: Infidelity and Adult/minor relationship
sarahkate333's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Veryyyyy slow until it's not. The last 50 pages are crazy but it's a slow road to that. I almost dnf but im glad I did. I do like that it is connected to his other book. Not sure I'd read it again though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Self harm, and Blood
blackferrum's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Actual rating: 3,8
Setelah berpikir ulang, kayaknya aku mau kasih buku ini rating 3,8. Indikatornya pakai perbandingan dengan buku sebelumnya. Twist di The Silent Patient memang sempat bikin greget, tapi muatan cheating-nya juga nggak kalah bikin greget. Lalu, apa di buku ini bersih dari unsur cheat? Nggak juga.
"Plot yang sempurna, dengan demikian harus memiliki isu tunggal, dan bukan (seperti kata sebagian orang) isu ganda; perubahan nasib sang pahlawan tidak boleh dari menderita menjadi bahagia, tetapi sebaliknya dari bahagia menjadi menderita; dan penyebabnya tidak boleh karena perbuatan jahat apa pun, tetapi karena kesalahan besar di pihaknya." --Aristoteles, Poetics
Kutipan di atas kurang lebih menjelaskan alur buku ini secara garis besar. Seperti yang sudah tertera pada blurb, Mariana terpaksa harus mengunjungi kembali Universitas Cambridge, meskipun harus menelan ingatan masa lalu dengan mantan suaminya, Sebastian. Zoe, keponakannya, mendadak menjadi gusar dan cemas karena salah satu teman dekatnya mendadak menjadi korban pembunuhan sadis.
Sejak awal, kukira fokus buku ini ada di Zoe, ternyata penulis memakai pov dari Mariana. Dimulai dengan kehidupannya sebagai seorang psikoterapis spesialis terapi kelompok, lalu mulai menyeret ke kehidupan pribadinya; mengenai Sebastian, Zoe, dan masa kecilnya. Jika dipikir lagi, Mariana punya masa kecil yang agak berbeda dengan karakter Theo Faber di buku The Silent Patient, tetapi motif yang hampir sama menggeluti bidang kesehatan mental.
Pelaku yang berada dalam jarak pandang Mariana memang nggak bisa dibantah. Meskipun punya alibi, si terduga pelaku ini pintar berkelit. Bahkan dengan lihai memakai kelemahan Mariana soal masa lalunya, Sebstian terutama, buat memutar balik topik. Semakin intens ketika korban kedua muncul dan salah satu rahasia terungkap. Hmm, semacam bonus kurasa karena pada akhirnya juga nggak berpengaruh pada posisi Mariana, hanya menjelaskan soal kecurigaan salah satu anggota Para Perawan yang gerak-geriknya bikin resah.
Pembaca diajak jalan santai lebih dulu sampai rasanya agak jenuh. Cara penulis menggambarkan detail dan deskripsi sesuatu nggak perlu diragukan lagi, sampai kadang aku mulai ragu apa semuanya akan menyokong alur dan moment of truth nantinya? Jawabannya ya dan tidak. Cara bercerita jalan santai di awal, lari di belakang seperti ini mungkin nggak asing lagi dengan genre thriller karena The Maidens juga memiliki pola serupa.
Aku suka baca psychological-thriller yang muatan cheating-nya rendah atau bahkan nggak ada. Di sini bukannya nggak ada, hanya disebut sepintas lalu, tapi nggak sampai bikin gerah karena terlalu banyak. Dari awal pikiranku fokus mencari siapa pelakunya, tapi karena semua orang mencurigakan, dugaan-dugaan itu berhenti sendiri dan memutuskan untuk menikmati alur cerita sampai akhir. Twist-nya bikin kaget plus kesal (dengan si pelaku).
Terjemahannya baru di bagian ketiga mengalir karena banyak dialog dan terfokus ke kasus. Ada beberapa bagian yang kadang harus dibaca dua kali baru dipahami, tapi bagiku ini mungkin karena bahasa aslinya sendiri sudah sulit (?). Serta beberapa typo yang agak mengganggu. Semoga di cetakan sebelumnya bisa diperbaiki.
Hmm, masih banyak yang belum terjelaskan, termasuk kematian Sebastian. Memang sudah disinggung sepintas lalu, tapi karena grief Mariana berhubungan dengan ending, kayaknya kebenaran perlu dikaji ulang. Duh, apa penulis bakal kasih sekuel buku ini? Karena aku berharap bisa mendapat penjelasan dari beberapa bagian yang belum tercerahkan.
Setelah berpikir ulang, kayaknya aku mau kasih buku ini rating 3,8. Indikatornya pakai perbandingan dengan buku sebelumnya. Twist di The Silent Patient memang sempat bikin greget, tapi muatan cheating-nya juga nggak kalah bikin greget. Lalu, apa di buku ini bersih dari unsur cheat? Nggak juga.
"Plot yang sempurna, dengan demikian harus memiliki isu tunggal, dan bukan (seperti kata sebagian orang) isu ganda; perubahan nasib sang pahlawan tidak boleh dari menderita menjadi bahagia, tetapi sebaliknya dari bahagia menjadi menderita; dan penyebabnya tidak boleh karena perbuatan jahat apa pun, tetapi karena kesalahan besar di pihaknya." --Aristoteles, Poetics
Kutipan di atas kurang lebih menjelaskan alur buku ini secara garis besar. Seperti yang sudah tertera pada blurb, Mariana terpaksa harus mengunjungi kembali Universitas Cambridge, meskipun harus menelan ingatan masa lalu dengan mantan suaminya, Sebastian. Zoe, keponakannya, mendadak menjadi gusar dan cemas karena salah satu teman dekatnya mendadak menjadi korban pembunuhan sadis.
Sejak awal, kukira fokus buku ini ada di Zoe, ternyata penulis memakai pov dari Mariana. Dimulai dengan kehidupannya sebagai seorang psikoterapis spesialis terapi kelompok, lalu mulai menyeret ke kehidupan pribadinya; mengenai Sebastian, Zoe, dan masa kecilnya. Jika dipikir lagi, Mariana punya masa kecil yang agak berbeda dengan karakter Theo Faber di buku The Silent Patient, tetapi motif yang hampir sama menggeluti bidang kesehatan mental.
Pelaku yang berada dalam jarak pandang Mariana memang nggak bisa dibantah. Meskipun punya alibi, si terduga pelaku ini pintar berkelit. Bahkan dengan lihai memakai kelemahan Mariana soal masa lalunya, Sebstian terutama, buat memutar balik topik. Semakin intens ketika korban kedua muncul dan salah satu rahasia terungkap. Hmm, semacam bonus kurasa karena pada akhirnya juga nggak berpengaruh pada posisi Mariana, hanya menjelaskan soal kecurigaan salah satu anggota Para Perawan yang gerak-geriknya bikin resah.
Pembaca diajak jalan santai lebih dulu sampai rasanya agak jenuh. Cara penulis menggambarkan detail dan deskripsi sesuatu nggak perlu diragukan lagi, sampai kadang aku mulai ragu apa semuanya akan menyokong alur dan moment of truth nantinya? Jawabannya ya dan tidak. Cara bercerita jalan santai di awal, lari di belakang seperti ini mungkin nggak asing lagi dengan genre thriller karena The Maidens juga memiliki pola serupa.
Aku suka baca psychological-thriller yang muatan cheating-nya rendah atau bahkan nggak ada. Di sini bukannya nggak ada, hanya disebut sepintas lalu, tapi nggak sampai bikin gerah karena terlalu banyak. Dari awal pikiranku fokus mencari siapa pelakunya, tapi karena semua orang mencurigakan, dugaan-dugaan itu berhenti sendiri dan memutuskan untuk menikmati alur cerita sampai akhir. Twist-nya bikin kaget plus kesal (dengan si pelaku).
Terjemahannya baru di bagian ketiga mengalir karena banyak dialog dan terfokus ke kasus. Ada beberapa bagian yang kadang harus dibaca dua kali baru dipahami, tapi bagiku ini mungkin karena bahasa aslinya sendiri sudah sulit (?). Serta beberapa typo yang agak mengganggu. Semoga di cetakan sebelumnya bisa diperbaiki.
Hmm, masih banyak yang belum terjelaskan, termasuk kematian Sebastian. Memang sudah disinggung sepintas lalu, tapi karena grief Mariana berhubungan dengan ending, kayaknya kebenaran perlu dikaji ulang. Duh, apa penulis bakal kasih sekuel buku ini? Karena aku berharap bisa mendapat penjelasan dari beberapa bagian yang belum tercerahkan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Infidelity
daybreakreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I finished this book in a day and a half. It was impossible to put down. I haven’t read his other book — I find it interesting that most of the negative reviews simply say that this one isn’t as good as The Silent Patient (makes me wonder how great that one is if I loved this one so much) — but I’m happy I read this one first because there’s a subtle connection between the two.
I actually suspected the right person early on (ultimately for the wrong reason), but mostly dismissed it because of a very powerful red herring (even though I at one point suspected the red herring as being such). I would say the true ending would be very difficult if not impossible to guess the first time through; I almost want to re-read it again now that I know how it ends.
The audiobook was fascinating to listen to; they used a different voice actor for the alternate perspective.
I actually suspected the right person early on (ultimately for the wrong reason), but mostly dismissed it because of a very powerful red herring (even though I at one point suspected the red herring as being such). I would say the true ending would be very difficult if not impossible to guess the first time through; I almost want to re-read it again now that I know how it ends.
The audiobook was fascinating to listen to; they used a different voice actor for the alternate perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Blood, Murder, and Death
Minor: Infertility, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual violence, Animal death, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Forced institutionalization
miggyfool's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Pedophilia, Torture, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness