Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Liked it but prefer "The Great Believers." Makkai does know how to get into a teenage girl's head.
I couldn’t put this book down! The writing was beautiful, and I appreciated that there was never a set “this is THE killer” until the end. However, this book easily could have been a hundred pages shorter yet more impactful. The ending is realistic, but definitely left me dissatisfied.
4.25 stars for a great thriller with intertwined commentary on society! The writing was quick-paced, side characters were given notable stories to remember them by, and the chapters flip-flopped between past and present in a way that kept you hanging on without leaving you confused. If you've read Whisper Network by Chandler Baker, this book reminded me of it in terms of writing style and general themes. On that note - this book felt worthy of joining Reese's Book Club. Only 4.25 because I didn't love the ending but I suspect that if I had someone to discuss it with, I'd think more kindly of it. Overall, I see why this has been nominated for a Goodreads award!!
As the author describes it: a feminist mystery set in a boarding school! I devoured the audiobook, read by Julia Whelan. It is not for the faint of heart due to a fictional true crime that is upsetting and violent and (necessarily) described many times. It involves podcasting, near to my heart. The writing is top notch and the characters are three dimensional. I especially loved the subtle literary technique of the adult narrator's interplay with her troubled adolescent self and how the two Brodies come together for the reader as the story progresses.
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Murder, Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction, Sexual assault
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
pretty good but i wish i liked it more than i did! i agree with some of the reviewers saying it felt like the book didn't engage with some of the more complex themes it brought up, or they were brought up so late that there wasn't really time to get into them.
also just had me thinking about penance a lot and i thought penance was really good, and the way that wove storylines and mediums together worked so well for me that this fell just a bit short in comparison.
also just had me thinking about penance a lot and i thought penance was really good, and the way that wove storylines and mediums together worked so well for me that this fell just a bit short in comparison.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No