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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i really liked this story in the sense that the characters and their interactions intrigued me. this book is supposed to be a murder mystery/thriller novel, and to be honest, i found that part kind of lacking. that isn't to say the book is bad, but it just doesn't fulfill what i want from that type of story. let me explain what i mean by that.
basically, i found as i was reading that i didn't care who did committed the crime so much as how everyone reacted to it and how they interacted with each other before and after. i know the whole point of the story was to find out who did it, but i wasn't really invested in that part. so i guess in that way, i didn't guess the ending, which i can do in most horror/thriller novels i read, which is a plus. but i still didn't necessarily find that i cared to know the truth.
i would love to hear the story from meredith's pov. not that oliver's isn't good, i just want to know more about her relationship with richard. i get the feeling there was some dv in that relationship, so i'd love to know her complicated, messy feelings on his death. there's probably a reason she hasn't left, and that interests me. as a writer, it's something i find has to be done well to be enjoyable, but i trust this author to do it right.
also james and oliver's relationship... i am not surprised, i mean be so for real with me... they're at a conservatory that only does shakespeare. but also i think that adds a level to the story, and i like that a lot. it does not help that i read song of achilles recently before this bc it feels like salt in the wound.
overall, i liked this a lot. definitely recommend it for those dark academia vibes. it's great for getting into the fall spirit.
basically, i found as i was reading that i didn't care who did committed the crime so much as how everyone reacted to it and how they interacted with each other before and after. i know the whole point of the story was to find out who did it, but i wasn't really invested in that part. so i guess in that way, i didn't guess the ending, which i can do in most horror/thriller novels i read, which is a plus. but i still didn't necessarily find that i cared to know the truth.
i would love to hear the story from meredith's pov. not that oliver's isn't good, i just want to know more about her relationship with richard. i get the feeling there was some dv in that relationship, so i'd love to know her complicated, messy feelings on his death. there's probably a reason she hasn't left, and that interests me. as a writer, it's something i find has to be done well to be enjoyable, but i trust this author to do it right.
also james and oliver's relationship... i am not surprised, i mean be so for real with me... they're at a conservatory that only does shakespeare. but also i think that adds a level to the story, and i like that a lot. it does not help that i read song of achilles recently before this bc it feels like salt in the wound.
overall, i liked this a lot. definitely recommend it for those dark academia vibes. it's great for getting into the fall spirit.
After discussing at length in book club, I’ve decided this book was just alright. I wanted it to be great, something like Secret History (prob my bad for even comparing in the first place). But ultimately it fell short. The Shakespeare quoting was insufferable. I think that was the point so I won’t harp on it. Oliver’s obsession with James was interesting up until it was truly just the most boring possible outcome ever. The other characters didn’t even feel real. Oliver’s perception of them all was so flat. His take on Alexander’s OD? Oh that’s just Alex being Alex. Meredith’s body image issues? Somehow only made him notice and talk about her body even more. Oliver’s sister has an ED serious enough she needs rehabilitation for it???? OH NOOO THATS SO SELFISH OF HER. NOW HE CANT GO BACK TO HIS PERFORMING ARTS COLLEGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
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
GET READY FOR ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS!!
This book is a real page turner, you begin to love all the characters and understand their place in this story. You are drawn toward the undeniable relationship between James and Oliver, knowing deep down inside they would do anything for each other. Just as you begin to get comfortable with the characters and the story, things shift drastically (just like a good Shakespeare story) and slowly everyone turns mad. And this madness is good, because then everyone’s turn character is revealed. All I want to say is that when the truth is revealed it’s a true jaw dropping moment.
This book is a real page turner, you begin to love all the characters and understand their place in this story. You are drawn toward the undeniable relationship between James and Oliver, knowing deep down inside they would do anything for each other. Just as you begin to get comfortable with the characters and the story, things shift drastically (just like a good Shakespeare story) and slowly everyone turns mad. And this madness is good, because then everyone’s turn character is revealed. All I want to say is that when the truth is revealed it’s a true jaw dropping moment.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Slow at first the last third of the book is where things really start happening. The writing is very Shakespeare heavy, I feel like you would get more out of this story if you are somewhat familiar with the characters of some of the more famous plays. I went in knowing basically nothing and still enjoyed the book though it was just hard to follow in places as the characters tend to speak to each other in quotes for a lot of the book.
medium-paced