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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you Bookish First, author Katie Alender and her publishing company for this copy of The Companion. I was instantly hooked when I read the first impression and the full book met my expectations. I read the book really fast because the plot, characters, suspense, and mystery kept me intrigued. Every chapter revealed just enough for you to learn something new, stay interested, and want to read on. I really like a story that you can't really predict what's going to happen and this story had a few surprisingly elements. At first I thought Agatha was the creepy one, but just wait until you find out more...
Despite really liking the story, I do have a few critiques. I felt like the not all of the characters were fully developed or had a big role in the story: especially the male characters. I felt like if they were going to be in the story, they should play a bigger role. Also I figured out the climax about three-fourths of the way into the book but it didn't ruin the ending because I still didn't know what was going to happen.
Overall I really liked the book and will be recommending it to friends!
Despite really liking the story, I do have a few critiques. I felt like the not all of the characters were fully developed or had a big role in the story: especially the male characters. I felt like if they were going to be in the story, they should play a bigger role. Also I figured out the climax about three-fourths of the way into the book but it didn't ruin the ending because I still didn't know what was going to happen.
Overall I really liked the book and will be recommending it to friends!
3.5 stars maybe?
It is a good read and I while there were moments that lost my attention, for the most part I lost track of time while reading this. It is pretty obvious what is going on, but not the scale of it and there are potentially other things at work. All this kept my attention and had me eager to know how things would work out.
I really like Margot as a character and her insight into things going on around her were... nice. She isn't completely oblivious, but she wants to stay--wants to be good and unobtrusive, so she lets things slide. I get it. Her decisions made sense. I feel like the tiny little romance wasn't really needed and perhaps a little fast, but then I think about the situation and how long they were really spending together and it makes more sense.
There are many creepy vibes here, but Margot doesn't really go searching for answers, so the book can feel quite long at times. Towards the end is when I could not put the book down-- which is why the formal 4 stars.
I will recommend this to people, but it is not for someone wanting fast-paced. This is a subtler and more atmospheric thriller.
It is a good read and I while there were moments that lost my attention, for the most part I lost track of time while reading this. It is pretty obvious what is going on, but not the scale of it and there are potentially other things at work. All this kept my attention and had me eager to know how things would work out.
I really like Margot as a character and her insight into things going on around her were... nice. She isn't completely oblivious, but she wants to stay--wants to be good and unobtrusive, so she lets things slide. I get it. Her decisions made sense. I feel like the tiny little romance wasn't really needed and perhaps a little fast, but then I think about the situation and how long they were really spending together and it makes more sense.
There are many creepy vibes here, but Margot doesn't really go searching for answers, so the book can feel quite long at times. Towards the end is when I could not put the book down-- which is why the formal 4 stars.
I will recommend this to people, but it is not for someone wanting fast-paced. This is a subtler and more atmospheric thriller.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(Read as part of the Eliot Rosewater nominee reading list challenge.)
This was a nice little horror jaunt, but its strange pacing is what made it 4 stars for me. The romance in the book progressed far too fast, and I honestly feel like the story would’ve been better without it, and with more of a focus on Agatha and Margot’s companionship or the mysterious house they live in rather than some boy. Barrett as a character feels under-utilized, like he was placed there primarily for romance, given just a smidge of character outside of that, and then whisked away when he was no longer needed (his father, John, is the same way, and just disappears after he establishes the plot). I would’ve liked to see how the circumstances were affecting them, too, if at all.
The twist was expected, but that’s not always a bad thing. Like I said, it’s a nice romp in the horror genre. On the Eliot Rosewater list, I think it gets overshadowed by the other horrors Dagger Hill and Grown, but that didn’t affect my rating.
This was a nice little horror jaunt, but its strange pacing is what made it 4 stars for me. The romance in the book progressed far too fast, and I honestly feel like the story would’ve been better without it, and with more of a focus on Agatha and Margot’s companionship or the mysterious house they live in rather than some boy. Barrett as a character feels under-utilized, like he was placed there primarily for romance, given just a smidge of character outside of that, and then whisked away when he was no longer needed (his father, John, is the same way, and just disappears after he establishes the plot). I would’ve liked to see how the circumstances were affecting them, too, if at all.
The twist was expected, but that’s not always a bad thing. Like I said, it’s a nice romp in the horror genre. On the Eliot Rosewater list, I think it gets overshadowed by the other horrors Dagger Hill and Grown, but that didn’t affect my rating.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
Books that make me HAVE to give them a 5 star rating from the last few pages are my favorite!! Ate this one up.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
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
I can recognize when I am not the target audience and that’s exactly what happened for me and this book. It is definitely meant more for teenagers/young adults, it very much reads that way. It’s predictable. Would recommend for teens though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Animal death