Reviews - The Compound | The StoryGraph

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2.93k reviews for:

The Compound

Aisling Rawle

3.79 AVERAGE

miabradley's review against another edition

3.0

challenging dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Strange read. I liked the idea of it for a holiday read, the idea of reading a dystopian love island was intriguing to me and I just wanted something easy. But it is literally a rip off of love island with some hints of dystopia. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good either. I liked its overall commentary of overconsumption and being influenced so much by a game that there is no sense of reality. (The hunger games does this well due to its complex story) I liked its narrative on the current world of tv like this, it’s smart but also depressing. The main character is perfect for its message. I just personally hate reading 350 pages of information I feel I already know. Can be repetitive and the story and relationships in the story feel benign because they don’t really matter to the overall message of the book. Just could have been a 200 pager, felt I wasted some time 😩💅

ambergosby's review against another edition

4.5

fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

wow_its_liz's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Wow, this book was intense! This story is absolutely, solidly literary fiction yet very accessible and such a compelling read!

I found sections super uncomfortable to read in the last third of the book due to the incremental increase in stakes/violence and I simultaneously wanted to put it down and at the same time, I couldn’t look away. Such brilliant plotting and character development—the central characters had distinct shape and depth.

I was grateful to receive an audiobook copy from Penguin Random House (♥️tysm) so I was able to listen and read immersively. The narrator, Lucy Boynton, has a profoundly pleasant voice and accent and her varied vocal portrayals of the men characters had me checking the details to see if there was a second male narrator. She managed to vary her delivery such that each voice was distinct—both male and female. Exceptional performance, flawless sound design and mixing, an entertaining and engaging audio performance that I will be recommending to many patrons, friends, and colleagues who enjoy audiobooks.

Interestingly, there was some real darkness toward the end (which is not my favorite) but it was so well done, even the somewhat gory bits didn’t turn me away from the story, they absolutely worked and weren’t over-the-top.

I was so satisfied with the way the resolution was handled; this story had a complete and total story arc without being too long and managed to integrate a satisfying romance subplot as well as deeper themes and social commentary in such a clever way that I think even readers of primarily romance could potentially enjoy this book if they have even a minimal tolerance for grittier themes.

I understand that this is an homage/interpretation of a very popular television show (Love Island) which I have never seen and am unfamiliar with. If that show is half as compelling as this book, I can see why people are drawn to watch it.

I would recommend this to a wide variety of readers. It would make an excellent book club pick. Folks who like the style of horror of Grady Hendrix and Max Brooks (like Devolution) would probably find this book to their liking. People who gravitate toward complicated relationship stories and people who like a little romance but mostly action and drama will enjoy this. I’m guessing fans of this genre of tv shows would enjoy this, as well. People who like compelling literary fiction, strong female characters who experience (some) personal growth, and readers into relationship dramas will all likely enjoy this title.

This book is frankly brilliant—such an exciting debut!

laurenam95's review against another edition

3.75

mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

While a fascinating and baffling at times journey, I think you ultimately walk away from this book the same way that the main character does: dazed, heartbroken, and with a realization that the world you create is the one you live in.