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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved Margot as the main character; she was very strong-willed, funny and sassy which is all the more admirable given the loss of her family. I also loved the ominous, gothic atmosphere in the old mansion, one of my favorite tropes in books. To be honest I would've liked more of that; this book, in my opinion, is less horror and more YA sprinkled with (very mild) horror and romantic elements (the compulsory juvenile YA romance was also not an element I appreciated too much, unfortunately). All in all though I liked the storyline & the conclusion - there was no big twist or anything but I liked how the mystery slowly unfolded through the clues Margot found all over the house and how it all came together in the end. I'd definitely read more from this author; would recommend this book if you like sassy, strong-willed female protagonists, a slowly unfolding mystery, and a gothic mansion setting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting
I received this through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
In this suspenseful tale, everything does not feel quite right, but the reader and main character are going to have to figure it out together. Margot thought she was saved, but it doesn't really feel that way with all the weirdness going on. There was a romance element to the story, but it felt rushed and incomplete. Actually, character interactions and friendships felt like they happened instantly.
In this suspenseful tale, everything does not feel quite right, but the reader and main character are going to have to figure it out together. Margot thought she was saved, but it doesn't really feel that way with all the weirdness going on. There was a romance element to the story, but it felt rushed and incomplete. Actually, character interactions and friendships felt like they happened instantly.
fast-paced
I think this book is great for a YA thriller. The story was definitely captivating. I picked it up somewhat at random and then I couldn't stop turning the pages! There was a lot of questions, a lot of intrigue, a lot of mystery and I would highly recommend this book as an age appropriate book for young readers who are interested in suspense and thrill.
I loved the character of Margot. She was very human. She was witty and had a dry humor that made me laugh at times, but also had plenty of moments that made me feel deeply for her, where she was weak and sad and vulnerable. She carried the story very well, and I genuinely liked and cared about her as I read the story, and was rooting for her the whole time. I enjoyed her voice and thought processes.
I loved the character of Margot. She was very human. She was witty and had a dry humor that made me laugh at times, but also had plenty of moments that made me feel deeply for her, where she was weak and sad and vulnerable. She carried the story very well, and I genuinely liked and cared about her as I read the story, and was rooting for her the whole time. I enjoyed her voice and thought processes.
This book was absolutely chilling. I was enthralled the entire time and there were all these twists and turns in the plot. there were so many pieces to put together and it was so fascinating. it was fast paced as shocking event after shocking event happened and i couldn’t get enough. i highly reccomend this book if you like thrillers and books that make you think.
happy reading!
happy reading!
I've been looking forward to reading this one since I saw the synopsis for it. Having just read (listened to) [b:The Silent Patient|40097951|The Silent Patient|Alex Michaelides|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582759969l/40097951._SX50_.jpg|59752778], I thought this would be a nice follow-up. However, I wouldn't say those two books are really that similar, despite a couple of surface-level parallels (ie: one of the female main characters being inexplicably mute).
For the most part, I really enjoyed [b:The Companion|49029055|The Companion|Katie Alender|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579765609l/49029055._SY75_.jpg|48127815]. It was a creepy, fast-paced page-turner. I really wanted something fun to help close out the year. And this book definitely delivered in that sense. I read it quickly because I really needed confirmation on some of the theories I had about it.
The story, itself, opens following the tragic deaths of the protagonist, Margot's entire immediate family. When the option to go stay at a distant family friend's hefty estate presents itself, Margot latches onto the opportunity, rather than wind up in a state facility. It isn't long after Margot's arrival that it becomes clear there were ulterior motives in taking her in. The family wants Margot to serve as a companion to their mysteriously ill daughter, Agatha. What follows are a series of bizarre occurrences, leaving Margot to wonder what kind of dysfunctional situation she's walked into.
Strangely enough, it reminded me a lot of the movie Get Out, despite there being quite a few crucial differences. The family gives off a somewhat similar vibe.
While I enjoyed the author's writing style, there were some things I wasn't super satisfied with after finishing the novel. My point beneath the spoiler tag is one of the main ones, but I also felt like the "romance" aspect of it wasn't written super well. I get the purpose in including it. But it felt a little off to me.
Overall, I'd recommend this to people looking for a quick, intense read. I also think that it would translate really well on-screen. There's a very cinematic vibe throughout. Hoping to see it picked up for a show or movie in the future.
For the most part, I really enjoyed [b:The Companion|49029055|The Companion|Katie Alender|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579765609l/49029055._SY75_.jpg|48127815]. It was a creepy, fast-paced page-turner. I really wanted something fun to help close out the year. And this book definitely delivered in that sense. I read it quickly because I really needed confirmation on some of the theories I had about it.
The story, itself, opens following the tragic deaths of the protagonist, Margot's entire immediate family. When the option to go stay at a distant family friend's hefty estate presents itself, Margot latches onto the opportunity, rather than wind up in a state facility. It isn't long after Margot's arrival that it becomes clear there were ulterior motives in taking her in. The family wants Margot to serve as a companion to their mysteriously ill daughter, Agatha. What follows are a series of bizarre occurrences, leaving Margot to wonder what kind of dysfunctional situation she's walked into.
Strangely enough, it reminded me a lot of the movie Get Out, despite there being quite a few crucial differences. The family gives off a somewhat similar vibe.
While I enjoyed the author's writing style, there were some things I wasn't super satisfied with after finishing the novel.
Spoiler
How is the dad not clued into any of the abuse? He doesn't seem to be complicit with Laura's insanity and yet doesn't really look into it at all. I get that he was maybe supposed to be somewhat "checked out," but that felt like a pretty major plot hole to me. It would have made more sense if Laura and her husband were aligned in that respect. But since they weren't, I would have liked to see his end of things addressed.Overall, I'd recommend this to people looking for a quick, intense read. I also think that it would translate really well on-screen. There's a very cinematic vibe throughout. Hoping to see it picked up for a show or movie in the future.
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-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
Kinda predictable, but a good enough read. I enjoyed it, even though I wasn't super shocked or surprised by it.