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2.73 AVERAGE
2.73 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
I was wavering between 3⭐️ and 4⭐️ by the end of the book. I think it was a very decent debut for an author. I am in no way qualified or knowledgeable in Argentina’s history and it’s indigenous people, so I am not going to be talking about that, but I know that a lot of people had issues with that representation in the book. All I can say on that topic, that it is a work of fiction and I think we all should keep that in mind. Just all I’m saying.
Boy, this book was complicated and slow paced. And I know, a lot of people will like that, I just didn’t. I still finished it, I kept waiting for that twist “you’ll never see coming” and don’t get me wrong it was done quite nicely, but I still kinda saw it coming. And once it happened, things finally started to unravel... for like few paiges, and then it got slow again and ramble-ish. And why, oh why just EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER is such a philosopher? I get it, you have big philosophical points to get across in this books, but there are also other ways to do it. By the end, I could not differentiate who is talking, coz they all started to sound the same to me.( and do not get me started on this Yesi character, so annoying and inconsistent and frankly she does not make any sense every time she opens her mouth)
I did like Angel’s character, though gotta confess for like half a book I thought she was a girl and the other half I thought he’ a guy, and honestly, I am still confused( frankly it doesn’t matter, but I like to know what am I supposed to picture in my head when I read a story) I just wonder if anyone else felt the same or maybe I’m just stupid and missed the indication in the book?
Boy, this book was complicated and slow paced. And I know, a lot of people will like that, I just didn’t. I still finished it, I kept waiting for that twist “you’ll never see coming” and don’t get me wrong it was done quite nicely, but I still kinda saw it coming. And once it happened, things finally started to unravel... for like few paiges, and then it got slow again and ramble-ish. And why, oh why just EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER is such a philosopher? I get it, you have big philosophical points to get across in this books, but there are also other ways to do it. By the end, I could not differentiate who is talking, coz they all started to sound the same to me.( and do not get me started on this Yesi character, so annoying and inconsistent and frankly she does not make any sense every time she opens her mouth)
I did like Angel’s character, though gotta confess for like half a book I thought she was a girl and the other half I thought he’ a guy, and honestly, I am still confused( frankly it doesn’t matter, but I like to know what am I supposed to picture in my head when I read a story) I just wonder if anyone else felt the same or maybe I’m just stupid and missed the indication in the book?
DNF due to boredom and me not realizing this is a ghost story, which I have no interest in. Also found out this book is apparently very problematic to many people. Just not worth 450 pages of reading for me.
One of the worst feelings when you're dying to read a book is when you're finally able to and it is such a let down for you. That's exactly what happened to me with this one. Typically speaking, I try to be more forgiving of debuts since it's the author's first work, but I can honestly say that I don't know what I read. The best way to explain this story is walking in on an inside joke that no one wants to explain to you, and it's up to you to figure it out when there's literally no help.
The plot is confusing and honestly really difficult to explain. There's two timelines with two different POVs, but I'm not so sure that the timelines are different since there are events that happen at the same time. One POV is Mavi, a new, young teacher. The other in Angel, which is a crystal being. I basically equated it to a poltergeist of sorts.
People talk about the twist that comes around 75%. Honestly, it didn't help me. When I finally got to that point, everything was so confusing and disorganized that I just didn't care what the explanation was at that point.
I think this one had so much potential, but the execution just did not work at all.
Thank you to Imprint and Edelweiss for an eARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
The plot is confusing and honestly really difficult to explain. There's two timelines with two different POVs, but I'm not so sure that the timelines are different since there are events that happen at the same time. One POV is Mavi, a new, young teacher. The other in Angel, which is a crystal being. I basically equated it to a poltergeist of sorts.
People talk about the twist that comes around 75%. Honestly, it didn't help me. When I finally got to that point, everything was so confusing and disorganized that I just didn't care what the explanation was at that point.
I think this one had so much potential, but the execution just did not work at all.
Thank you to Imprint and Edelweiss for an eARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
DNF 14%
I read a lot of mixed reviews before going into this one, but they were all so vague that I decided I would just have to jump in the deep end and decide for myself. It sounded so good: a YA Historical Horror/Thriller sent in Argentina with Patagonian mythology.
The prologue and first chapter were just what I was hoping for. The atmosphere was creepy and I was completely in. And then...
The second narrator was introduced. The contrast completely threw me, and it was a struggle to read. It went from creepy to just plain weird in the space of a couple pages.
It doesn't seem like enough to quit, but I was just not in the mood. Then I did something I've never done before. I read the last 15%.
I didn't like the twist, and am glad I didn't put the time into reading the whole thing. Unfortunately, that's all I can say on the matter with going full rant and spoiling it. To me, it just felt like a cop out.
I read a lot of mixed reviews before going into this one, but they were all so vague that I decided I would just have to jump in the deep end and decide for myself. It sounded so good: a YA Historical Horror/Thriller sent in Argentina with Patagonian mythology.
The prologue and first chapter were just what I was hoping for. The atmosphere was creepy and I was completely in. And then...
The second narrator was introduced. The contrast completely threw me, and it was a struggle to read. It went from creepy to just plain weird in the space of a couple pages.
It doesn't seem like enough to quit, but I was just not in the mood. Then I did something I've never done before. I read the last 15%.
I didn't like the twist, and am glad I didn't put the time into reading the whole thing. Unfortunately, that's all I can say on the matter with going full rant and spoiling it. To me, it just felt like a cop out.
I liked the atmosphere and some of the concepts, but it dragged and fell flat for me at the end... There is a twist, but I don't think it was executed well...
I went in thinking this was going to be a eerie thriller. And while that's definitely how the setting an story started, it took an unfortunate turn very quickly.
My first issue with this book was the use of multiple points of views. I usually don't have a problem with a book featuring multiple POV's, in fact - a lot of times, it's a great way to get to know more about said character(s). I think the reason it didn't work here was because the tone of voice was just SO jarring between the two. As many have pointed out, we didn't even know the gender of Angel until at least a quarter of the way in.
I was handling the story-line and history of the school alright and was fairly content at where it was heading. But then the twist happened. The twist that occurred I'd say about less than 100 pages from the end. The twist that basically made my entire reading experience a giant waste of time. And a 3/5 book, down to an automatic 2/5.
I know there are people that love the twist and this book, but to me it just felt way too unnecessary. Maybe if this was told from Angel's point of view, it would of flowed better?
Also, it's not a bad thing for the reader to guess a plot twist or upcoming story-line. If you leave the clues and the readers pick up on it, that's just good writing.
In the case of "The Tenth Girl", all the ending did was just anger me and I'm sure a ton of other people.
My first issue with this book was the use of multiple points of views. I usually don't have a problem with a book featuring multiple POV's, in fact - a lot of times, it's a great way to get to know more about said character(s). I think the reason it didn't work here was because the tone of voice was just SO jarring between the two. As many have pointed out, we didn't even know the gender of Angel until at least a quarter of the way in.
I was handling the story-line and history of the school alright and was fairly content at where it was heading. But then the twist happened. The twist that occurred I'd say about less than 100 pages from the end. The twist that basically made my entire reading experience a giant waste of time. And a 3/5 book, down to an automatic 2/5.
I know there are people that love the twist and this book, but to me it just felt way too unnecessary. Maybe if this was told from Angel's point of view, it would of flowed better?
Also, it's not a bad thing for the reader to guess a plot twist or upcoming story-line. If you leave the clues and the readers pick up on it, that's just good writing.
In the case of "The Tenth Girl", all the ending did was just anger me and I'm sure a ton of other people.
Whelp I finished it. Stayed up til 5a and just finished the last 50 pages this morning. I'm quite confused but not invested enough to look more into it.
Parts were great, others weren't.
That being said I did hang on til the end and with this being a debut I'm intrigued to see what else the author will come up with next.
I'm gonna go take a shower
Parts were great, others weren't.
That being said I did hang on til the end and with this being a debut I'm intrigued to see what else the author will come up with next.
I'm gonna go take a shower
3 STARS
If this book excels in anything, it’s atmosphere.
Of all the things in The Tenth Girl, I appreciate Sara Faring’s commitment to atmosphere the most. From the very first pages, Mavi’s life in this haunting school is shadowed by mystery and misery in a way that’s nearly tangible. In such a remote place, where ice and gloom form the bulk of the landscape, and the halls are host to all manner of beings, some mortal, some otherwise, the reader gets the impression something dangerous and unearthly is a foot. As far as setting the tone goes, it’s an incredible achievement, pulled off seamlessly.
I really do take notice, too, when another author shows such strength in prose. Sinking into the setting is a crucial part of enjoying a book (at least for me), and I’m always delighted when I discover I can dive in so seamlessly. All the better for novels in the horror/thriller categories, too! Atmosphere plays a critical role in those genres in particular, and without it, this read just wouldn’t be the same.
“Purpose is a set of wings, strapped to the unexceptional so they can fly.”
The characters, too, held my attention. I see some reviewers saying they didn’t like anyone, and I can understand that. None of the characters are particularly likable, and more than a few feel flat. But within the ultimate context of the plot, and seeing as The Tenth Girl pushes the worst of humans to the forefront, examining just how terrible they can be when left to their own devices, a lot of the character structure made narrative sense.
Plus, I particularly liked the ways in which Mavi came to assert herself. Rather than accept the uncanny in the school, she makes an active effort to protect the students and see everyone to safety. At the very same time, though, she’s eighteen and out of her depth where finishing schools and ghostly mysteries are concerned. It leaves her hanging between points of vulnerability and determination that I really appreciated.
Her counterpoint, Angel, also held my interest. He (and I use this pronoun only because Angel is not referred to with pronouns save when pretending to be Dom) plays a role that forces him to confront his best impulses and worst mistakes, and has to decide what in this world matters most to him. I do love a character examining their own morality. Better yet, I love a character examining their own morality in the middle of a pivotal point, where they could swing toward any which way.
In spite of these things, though, The Tenth Girl unravels too easily.
On the mild side, I discovered that the ending gave me whiplash, in a way. In some ways, I suspected it was coming. The naked hardcover seems curious at first glance, and becomes painfully relevant past a certain point in the book (I recommend not looking until you’ve finished it, just to be certain you won’t spoil it for yourself). On the other hand, though, the delivery was unsteady, even jarring, and it forced the final quarter of the book into a rush to tie up all the threads. What had been a slow, creeping sort of read appropriate for horror shifted into a madcap sprint, upending everything that had come before. In some ways, it made me feel cheated. I invested my time and brain cells into unraveling the mystery, and this is where it leads? Down a tiny sideways alley most readers would never find without help?
I’m a firm believer that mysteries and plot twists should make perfect sense in hindsight. I should be able to spot the clues hidden along the way when I look back. In this case, though, it was more left field than foreshadowing, especially since what foreshadowing existed was buried under layers of misdirection and confusion.
More importantly, though, I think the book deeply mishandled its portrayal of indigenous people. Mayra Sigwalt sums it up in her review with more personal knowledge than I have to offer, and the biggest point is this: the Zapuche people of the book are presented as savage and primitive people who rely on bloody sacrifice to curse and protect the land. It’s a racist, colonialist view that goes unchallenged, which never ceases to be frustrating. Couple that with the main character’s apparent Zapuche heritage that she never explores, and the history of the school as a rich white kids’ school staffed by the natives whose land it lies on, and you end up with a glaring disappointment marring the rich gothic experience the summary promises.
I wish I enjoyed it more, but it’s difficult to get past my disappointment.
What began as a strong read tumbled into disrepair, and ultimately, I don’t feel completely satisfied. The sudden shift in pacing was jarring. The twist undid a great deal of hard work, and raised too many questions too quickly. And the failure to interrogate the portrayal of indigenous people as savage and unintelligent? Absolutely a strike against the book, no questions asked. While I don’t believe every OwnVoices book needs to be an issue book (let OwnVoices authors tell stories not centered on challenges to their identity!), I still think those elements were a poor choice. Irresponsible, really. Even in a book that’s structured in a way meant to explore the worst in the people (and I do mean worst), this could have been handled better.
So at the start, The Tenth Girl had promise. The rich atmosphere pulled me in, and the mystery/horror elements kept me guessing. But here we are. I can’t overlook the last quarter of the book changing the tone so rapidly, and I can’t let the two-dimensional, cruel framing of the indigenous people in the book slide. What I predicted to be a nearly five star read dropped quickly.
Bookish disappointment sucks, huh?
CW: loss of a loved one, smoking, suicide, child death, anti-Semitism, racism, rape, ableism, pedophilia, animal death, domestic abuse, child abuse, self-harm, gore, miscarriage
If this book excels in anything, it’s atmosphere.
Of all the things in The Tenth Girl, I appreciate Sara Faring’s commitment to atmosphere the most. From the very first pages, Mavi’s life in this haunting school is shadowed by mystery and misery in a way that’s nearly tangible. In such a remote place, where ice and gloom form the bulk of the landscape, and the halls are host to all manner of beings, some mortal, some otherwise, the reader gets the impression something dangerous and unearthly is a foot. As far as setting the tone goes, it’s an incredible achievement, pulled off seamlessly.
I really do take notice, too, when another author shows such strength in prose. Sinking into the setting is a crucial part of enjoying a book (at least for me), and I’m always delighted when I discover I can dive in so seamlessly. All the better for novels in the horror/thriller categories, too! Atmosphere plays a critical role in those genres in particular, and without it, this read just wouldn’t be the same.
“Purpose is a set of wings, strapped to the unexceptional so they can fly.”
The characters, too, held my attention. I see some reviewers saying they didn’t like anyone, and I can understand that. None of the characters are particularly likable, and more than a few feel flat. But within the ultimate context of the plot, and seeing as The Tenth Girl pushes the worst of humans to the forefront, examining just how terrible they can be when left to their own devices, a lot of the character structure made narrative sense.
Plus, I particularly liked the ways in which Mavi came to assert herself. Rather than accept the uncanny in the school, she makes an active effort to protect the students and see everyone to safety. At the very same time, though, she’s eighteen and out of her depth where finishing schools and ghostly mysteries are concerned. It leaves her hanging between points of vulnerability and determination that I really appreciated.
Her counterpoint, Angel, also held my interest. He (and I use this pronoun only because Angel is not referred to with pronouns save when pretending to be Dom) plays a role that forces him to confront his best impulses and worst mistakes, and has to decide what in this world matters most to him. I do love a character examining their own morality. Better yet, I love a character examining their own morality in the middle of a pivotal point, where they could swing toward any which way.
In spite of these things, though, The Tenth Girl unravels too easily.
On the mild side, I discovered that the ending gave me whiplash, in a way. In some ways, I suspected it was coming. The naked hardcover seems curious at first glance, and becomes painfully relevant past a certain point in the book (I recommend not looking until you’ve finished it, just to be certain you won’t spoil it for yourself). On the other hand, though, the delivery was unsteady, even jarring, and it forced the final quarter of the book into a rush to tie up all the threads. What had been a slow, creeping sort of read appropriate for horror shifted into a madcap sprint, upending everything that had come before. In some ways, it made me feel cheated. I invested my time and brain cells into unraveling the mystery, and this is where it leads? Down a tiny sideways alley most readers would never find without help?
I’m a firm believer that mysteries and plot twists should make perfect sense in hindsight. I should be able to spot the clues hidden along the way when I look back. In this case, though, it was more left field than foreshadowing, especially since what foreshadowing existed was buried under layers of misdirection and confusion.
More importantly, though, I think the book deeply mishandled its portrayal of indigenous people. Mayra Sigwalt sums it up in her review with more personal knowledge than I have to offer, and the biggest point is this: the Zapuche people of the book are presented as savage and primitive people who rely on bloody sacrifice to curse and protect the land. It’s a racist, colonialist view that goes unchallenged, which never ceases to be frustrating. Couple that with the main character’s apparent Zapuche heritage that she never explores, and the history of the school as a rich white kids’ school staffed by the natives whose land it lies on, and you end up with a glaring disappointment marring the rich gothic experience the summary promises.
I wish I enjoyed it more, but it’s difficult to get past my disappointment.
What began as a strong read tumbled into disrepair, and ultimately, I don’t feel completely satisfied. The sudden shift in pacing was jarring. The twist undid a great deal of hard work, and raised too many questions too quickly. And the failure to interrogate the portrayal of indigenous people as savage and unintelligent? Absolutely a strike against the book, no questions asked. While I don’t believe every OwnVoices book needs to be an issue book (let OwnVoices authors tell stories not centered on challenges to their identity!), I still think those elements were a poor choice. Irresponsible, really. Even in a book that’s structured in a way meant to explore the worst in the people (and I do mean worst), this could have been handled better.
So at the start, The Tenth Girl had promise. The rich atmosphere pulled me in, and the mystery/horror elements kept me guessing. But here we are. I can’t overlook the last quarter of the book changing the tone so rapidly, and I can’t let the two-dimensional, cruel framing of the indigenous people in the book slide. What I predicted to be a nearly five star read dropped quickly.
Bookish disappointment sucks, huh?
CW: loss of a loved one, smoking, suicide, child death, anti-Semitism, racism, rape, ableism, pedophilia, animal death, domestic abuse, child abuse, self-harm, gore, miscarriage