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mbenzz's review
2.0
This book was such a disappointment. I loved the premise, I loved the beginning, but things quickly went downhill.
I wanted to DNF this, but it's one of those books that, even though you're not loving it, you kind of need to see how it ends.
I didn't connect with a single character in this entire story. Everyone is a one-dimensional cardboard cutout of the role they've been assigned....which is ironic considering this is a story about multiple dimensions. So much could have been expanded upon, but things were done to the barest minimum.
A huge problem for me, though, is I never understood Clay's motivation in killing all the Madisons. Sure, they were different from HIS Madison, but why kill her? He knew he was going to jump to another world and find another Madison, so why kill all the ones who don't fit his criteria? Why not just let her be and move on to the next one? Also, is Clay a teenager or a man in his 20's? His character is so thinly drawn that I honestly don't know.
There is so much in this story that straight-up doesn't make sense or is never revealed to us.
**Mild Spoilers**
WHY did Hugo give Clay the device, to begin with? Clay tells Madison his story, but there's no depth to it. What was happening at the time? What did he say when he gave it to him? Also, considering how much trouble he found himself in when he gave the device to Clay, why in the world does he DO IT AGAIN by handing yet another device to Felicity...another complete stranger! Did he learn NOTHING?!
Near the end, Hugo tells Felicity that the group has reached an agreement with Clay and that he will stop killing Madison and stay in that particular world. That's it. We never learn what the deal was or why Clay agreed to it, or even if it was real or made-up just to get Felicity to stop chasing him. It's mentioned a couple of times then never brought up again.
Also, there's no rhyme or reason to when they jump. Sometimes they're in a particular world for a few days; other times, they're able to stay for a few weeks. How or why that is is never explained. I didn't need the author to get super technical, but SOME sort of explanation would have been helpful.
And finally, the ending was ridiculous. I can't say why without giving away some major spoilers but no...it just wouldn't happen the way it did. Malls have security cameras. There were witnesses. There's NO. WAY. Felicity would have been able to walk out of that jail, considering how things went down. And is Madison an idiot? Why would she open her hotel door to such a weirdo who obviously makes her uncomfortable? Because it helps move the plot along, that's why.
There are a bunch of other things about this story I could pick apart, but I feel I've given this book enough of my time. Didn't like it...don't recommend it.
The only reason I'm giving this two stars over one is because I did read the entire thing. Kinda wish I hadn't, though.
I wanted to DNF this, but it's one of those books that, even though you're not loving it, you kind of need to see how it ends.
I didn't connect with a single character in this entire story. Everyone is a one-dimensional cardboard cutout of the role they've been assigned....which is ironic considering this is a story about multiple dimensions. So much could have been expanded upon, but things were done to the barest minimum.
A huge problem for me, though, is I never understood Clay's motivation in killing all the Madisons. Sure, they were different from HIS Madison, but why kill her? He knew he was going to jump to another world and find another Madison, so why kill all the ones who don't fit his criteria? Why not just let her be and move on to the next one? Also, is Clay a teenager or a man in his 20's? His character is so thinly drawn that I honestly don't know.
There is so much in this story that straight-up doesn't make sense or is never revealed to us.
**Mild Spoilers**
WHY did Hugo give Clay the device, to begin with? Clay tells Madison his story, but there's no depth to it. What was happening at the time? What did he say when he gave it to him? Also, considering how much trouble he found himself in when he gave the device to Clay, why in the world does he DO IT AGAIN by handing yet another device to Felicity...another complete stranger! Did he learn NOTHING?!
Near the end, Hugo tells Felicity that the group has reached an agreement with Clay and that he will stop killing Madison and stay in that particular world. That's it. We never learn what the deal was or why Clay agreed to it, or even if it was real or made-up just to get Felicity to stop chasing him. It's mentioned a couple of times then never brought up again.
Also, there's no rhyme or reason to when they jump. Sometimes they're in a particular world for a few days; other times, they're able to stay for a few weeks. How or why that is is never explained. I didn't need the author to get super technical, but SOME sort of explanation would have been helpful.
And finally, the ending was ridiculous. I can't say why without giving away some major spoilers but no...it just wouldn't happen the way it did. Malls have security cameras. There were witnesses. There's NO. WAY. Felicity would have been able to walk out of that jail, considering how things went down. And is Madison an idiot? Why would she open her hotel door to such a weirdo who obviously makes her uncomfortable? Because it helps move the plot along, that's why.
There are a bunch of other things about this story I could pick apart, but I feel I've given this book enough of my time. Didn't like it...don't recommend it.
The only reason I'm giving this two stars over one is because I did read the entire thing. Kinda wish I hadn't, though.
franchely's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
meghantrainer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
leebeeloves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
okevamae's review
4.0
When 22-year-old Madison May is murdered, reporter Felicity Staples sets out to investigate. But after a strange encounter on the subway, Felicity finds herself in a world that doesn’t quite make sense. A world that’s like the normal world, but things aren’t quite right. (She used to have two cats, but now her boyfriend swears they’ve only ever had one.) And in this world, no one knows anything about Madison May’s murder... right up until she turns up dead. Again.
The 22 Murders of Madison May is a thriller that explores parallel realities, with a multiverse-hopping serial killer who murders the same victim over and over. I like thrillers, but they’re not necessarily something I gravitate towards - however, a thriller mixed with sci-fi or fantasy is much more likely to grab my attention. I loved how this book blended elements of sci-fi into the fast-paced action and intrigue of the plot. I also appreciated that for the most part, the characters seemed very vivid and well formed, something which not all thrillers do well. I felt like Hugo’s character could have used more work – maybe I missed something, but I still don’t totally get him, or how he got involved with these reality-jumpers. In general, the details of the mysterious group of reality-travelers seemed a little flimsy. But overall, I really enjoyed the use of parallel worlds and the story in general.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The 22 Murders of Madison May is a thriller that explores parallel realities, with a multiverse-hopping serial killer who murders the same victim over and over. I like thrillers, but they’re not necessarily something I gravitate towards - however, a thriller mixed with sci-fi or fantasy is much more likely to grab my attention. I loved how this book blended elements of sci-fi into the fast-paced action and intrigue of the plot. I also appreciated that for the most part, the characters seemed very vivid and well formed, something which not all thrillers do well. I felt like Hugo’s character could have used more work – maybe I missed something, but I still don’t totally get him, or how he got involved with these reality-jumpers. In general, the details of the mysterious group of reality-travelers seemed a little flimsy. But overall, I really enjoyed the use of parallel worlds and the story in general.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
winterbryan's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.25
e_rb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
nicoleegg's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was really excited for this, thought it was a super unique premise and an unexpected mix of sci fi and thriller. Ended up being a little bit let down, I think the book just didn’t go the direction I was expecting it to so I had a hard time getting into it. Too much thriller and not enough sci fi I think.
sophia_pesavento's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0