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janeaustentatious2's review
mysterious
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
4.0
siaeme12's review
3.0
I'd rate this closer to 3.75. Engaging to read, and there were some really interesting concepts that I thoroughly enjoyed delving into. The middle third especially was very compelling.
Like other reviewers have said, I found the "big reveal", both regarding Anne and regarding Sylvie, to be a bit lackluster. I didn't mind that I was able to parse together more or less what was happening with Sylvie, but I did expect it to be a little bit more complex and nuanced than it was, and for there to be more tied up into the aftermath. There was a large build up, and then it just kind of deflated. I can tell that this was a first novel, since I have read other books by Benjamin where all my complaints for this book were ironed out and things were better expanded upon. In other words, she had more practice.
I did really enjoy this book and would recommend it.
Like other reviewers have said, I found the "big reveal", both regarding Anne and regarding Sylvie, to be a bit lackluster. I didn't mind that I was able to parse together more or less what was happening with Sylvie, but I did expect it to be a little bit more complex and nuanced than it was, and for there to be more tied up into the aftermath. There was a large build up, and then it just kind of deflated. I can tell that this was a first novel, since I have read other books by Benjamin where all my complaints for this book were ironed out and things were better expanded upon. In other words, she had more practice.
I did really enjoy this book and would recommend it.
mcearl12's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very interesting, very well-written book. I rather enjoyed the second half more than the first half, but all in all, it was almost a 4-star book for me. Characters were well-developed, the concept was very interesting... there is that bit of mystery throughout, wondering what's really going on, is there anything more than meets the eye, here? I loved the writing style, and was thoroughly pulled in by the author's voice.
The only stumbling block...and it's not a small one...was the confusing chronology. I've read plenty of books that move back and forth in time and not had any problems following the separate threads, but I have to say that it really got in my way in this book. I'm not really sure why, but think that it may be because the differences in the characters lives between the years weren't always obvious...and it was a small difference in terms of number of years, as well. I really don't know if this was my failure of imagination/lack of attention, or an issue with the book, but that is really the only thing that kept me from giving it four stars. Great book, just a wee bit hard for me to keep track of where I was in time and space.
The only stumbling block...and it's not a small one...was the confusing chronology. I've read plenty of books that move back and forth in time and not had any problems following the separate threads, but I have to say that it really got in my way in this book. I'm not really sure why, but think that it may be because the differences in the characters lives between the years weren't always obvious...and it was a small difference in terms of number of years, as well. I really don't know if this was my failure of imagination/lack of attention, or an issue with the book, but that is really the only thing that kept me from giving it four stars. Great book, just a wee bit hard for me to keep track of where I was in time and space.
mysticalmanifest's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
rlevine's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
icarryhearts_'s review against another edition
3.0
This was interesting enough, but the timeline was confusing and the jumping around between times and places almost made me put it down for good.
For most if the book, at least the first half, I had no idea what the plot was even supposed to be about. All of the descriptions of characters seemed vague and their relationships were confusing to say the least. A lot of this had to do with the flashbacks and flash forward... (Is that a thing?) so I wasn't spent more time trying to figure out why people were together 5 years later than paying attention to what was going on. I think a continuous timeline would have helped that.
Overall, an interesting premise, but lacking in clarity and follow through.
I received a free copy of this book for review from NetGalley.
For most if the book, at least the first half, I had no idea what the plot was even supposed to be about. All of the descriptions of characters seemed vague and their relationships were confusing to say the least. A lot of this had to do with the flashbacks and flash forward... (Is that a thing?) so I wasn't spent more time trying to figure out why people were together 5 years later than paying attention to what was going on. I think a continuous timeline would have helped that.
Overall, an interesting premise, but lacking in clarity and follow through.
I received a free copy of this book for review from NetGalley.
eferguson's review
3.0
I had high hopes for this book after reading The Immortalists and my close friend Hallie enjoying this book. I kept waiting for this book to pick up — and when it did, I loved it. But that tipping point wasn’t until ~50 pages towards the end. I appreciated the story and the twist, but I wished for more movement. That being said, the prose and foreshadowing was unarguably beautiful.
estherreadsbooks's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kpetranek's review
I think Sylvie’s dreamworld bleeds into more of her life than meets the eye. You know in dreams when something illogical happens, but it makes perfect sense while you’re there? Little details stuck out to me as tiny hints; Brittingham Park is miles closer to the University than it is to Sylvie & Gabe’s house and not in their neighborhood (also not necessarily on the way but it is noticeable in passing), I know it’s a throwaway moment of dialogue just to serve the banter, but the author is a Madisonian and I feel strongly that’s not an accident or flub!! Same with seeing the Sun Prairie fireworks from that angle on Lake Monona or driving from Atwood neighborhood “past Middleton, past Janesville” that is an insane route you’d never drive on purpose, so how much of it was really real? PLEASE I HOPE THIS ISN’T COMING ACROSS LIKE IM NITPICKING LOCAL GEOGRAPHY LOL, I just live right here and I feel like these are intentional choices (I’ve never been to California nor Martha’s Vineyard and cannot discern whether those locations are likewise depicted in similarly dreamlike disreality)!!! Anyway that’s cool. I like reading about SASY. RIP, Chocolaterian (mentioned, not by name, and dearly missed)