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aoifes_books's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I won't lie this book really threw me and I'm still not sure how to rate it. The story and the blurb are extremely different and really doesn't paint the book as a fantasy (which it is). The book follows Alex, a 31 year old who took a leap of faith and changed the course of her life one night. Going from a dead end job where she was miserable, she decided to kick start her new career and became the founder of a new tech start-up. When weird things keep happening - like someone mugging her and a man pretending to be a reporter to sneak into her office - everything begins to fall apart.
I listened to the audiobook version, and I had to rewind parts so I could focus. I wasn't fully engaged in the beginning or the end of the book. When I did really start to enjoy the story, the last few chapters ruined it. I felt like the book was dragging on for no reason and should have ended a while before it did. The ending was over-explained the whole story and acted like a walk through for the book, which I felt was unneeded.
I agree with other reviews I've read, especially the people criticizingway that Harry is treated throughout. The man is disregarded and pushed aside, gets cheated on and still stays with Alex at the end?? The lack of "clean up" for the romance of the book really put a damper on the storyline and it felt as if there was just too much for the author. The cheating, her magically being different and getting pregnant with Finn's baby was just too much. There was so much just thrown in there towards the end . The overall shallow nature of the character shines through nearly too much, and really offsets the philosophical ideas that the author was trying to push. They felt very fake at times, and it was just too much of a change.
The novel did keep you on your toes, and the twists were fun to read about. The book was an enjoyable read but some of it just left me confused and annoyed. A very original plotline and the overall premise really grabbed my attention.
I listened to the audiobook version, and I had to rewind parts so I could focus. I wasn't fully engaged in the beginning or the end of the book. When I did really start to enjoy the story, the last few chapters ruined it. I felt like the book was dragging on for no reason and should have ended a while before it did. The ending was over-explained the whole story and acted like a walk through for the book, which I felt was unneeded.
I agree with other reviews I've read, especially the people criticizing
The novel did keep you on your toes, and the twists were fun to read about. The book was an enjoyable read but some of it just left me confused and annoyed. A very original plotline and the overall premise really grabbed my attention.
axel314's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
books_in_the_clouds's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-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
1.75
lucyreads_'s review against another edition
4.0
Such a unique story that follows the story of someone experiencing a massive change and how it rattles those around them. What you don’t know is that the new Alex is the result of an experiment gone wrong. Her memories have been altered at the core and the new Alex is more confident more reckless and altogether more. The story follows as she tries to save an island while trying to save her love life at the same time.
lizwhite25's review against another edition
1.0
OK...So....Right...Erm....Yes....I am going to be honest with you here folks. I try my best to respect everything I read, unless the point is that you're not supposed to and then I happily unleash. I really try to find the positives and think about constructive reviews. At the end of the day, the author has written a collection of words and then had the confidence to have it published and put it out there for public consumption and I try my best to think about that. And on with the review.
I have no idea at all what I just read. I have no idea what actually went on versus what I think went on. I don't think I understood the start, the middle, or the end, or in fact understood how the bits linked together to create a flowing narrative. I will say that there is an element of modern adventure, and undoubtedly unexpected twists, but for me they didn't feel like they fitted in this story.
The story itself is messy. I know that sounds quite harsh, but it's the only word that comes to mind. It starts with a feminist power tone of a woman who has made it in her chosen field. It starts to explore the side effects of that, the perception of her familial bonds changing, the dynamic with her partner shifting, and then BOOM there is muggings and murder accusations and then BOOM travel to a non-electricity using Orkney island colony/cult where BOOM a sci-fi/fantastical twist comes in that really doesn't fit and then BOOM there is an amnesiac/mental health portion of the book that while interesting just doesn't truly work. I feel like this book is one of those pieces where there is a set of ideas that realistically should be separated down into a couple of different projects and have instead been merged together into a book that doesn't hold together.
I also found the lead character to be, well, irritating. I like a flawed character, I like a character that faces issues that are a direct result of their own success, I like characters that stand for feminist values and fight for their wants and careers, but she is confused and seems to be battling and forgetting everyone around her that loves her and I don't really get why.
It is clear that this book was simply not for me. It wasn't my cup of tea, and I really only finished it to see how the author wrapped what was a scattered story. Oh well.
I have no idea at all what I just read. I have no idea what actually went on versus what I think went on. I don't think I understood the start, the middle, or the end, or in fact understood how the bits linked together to create a flowing narrative. I will say that there is an element of modern adventure, and undoubtedly unexpected twists, but for me they didn't feel like they fitted in this story.
The story itself is messy. I know that sounds quite harsh, but it's the only word that comes to mind. It starts with a feminist power tone of a woman who has made it in her chosen field. It starts to explore the side effects of that, the perception of her familial bonds changing, the dynamic with her partner shifting, and then BOOM there is muggings and murder accusations and then BOOM travel to a non-electricity using Orkney island colony/cult where BOOM a sci-fi/fantastical twist comes in that really doesn't fit and then BOOM there is an amnesiac/mental health portion of the book that while interesting just doesn't truly work. I feel like this book is one of those pieces where there is a set of ideas that realistically should be separated down into a couple of different projects and have instead been merged together into a book that doesn't hold together.
I also found the lead character to be, well, irritating. I like a flawed character, I like a character that faces issues that are a direct result of their own success, I like characters that stand for feminist values and fight for their wants and careers, but she is confused and seems to be battling and forgetting everyone around her that loves her and I don't really get why.
It is clear that this book was simply not for me. It wasn't my cup of tea, and I really only finished it to see how the author wrapped what was a scattered story. Oh well.
al_knave's review against another edition
4.0
Rather charming, and actually a bit surprising as well.
alonadadonut's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I don't remember it being actively offensive, but then again I don't remember anything from this book. It was not good.
lisa_and_her_books's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sonderlust's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book was enjoyable enough, I have stayed up late two nights on a row to finish it. The ideas in the book were interesting. Writing style was not really my cup of tea, especially the voice given to the main character. Overall I would say a fun read.
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
5.0
"That dangerous little crack between the Alex she used to be and the Alex she was now? The secret hollow at the heart of her wonderful transformation? Had this total stranger somehow spotted the void?"
Boorishly successful, Alex Moore's life in Shoreditch, London as the head of Edudomonia (an inexplicable wellbeing website and forum start-up) is about to change. Struggling with fear of failure Alex felt she had to become someone else in order to succeed, but she doesn't even know what she is hiding. Her friends (loving fiancé Harry and supportive best friend Mae) and family (her practical mum and beloved Dad, famous one-hit-winder author) believe she's not the same person she used to be. New Alex thinks old Alex (pre-Eudomonia) was a loser, resulting in bouts of vertigo whenever she thinks about her old life. Out of the blue she is invited to a private island Iskeull, a research centre in the Orkneys, Scotland; spurred on by fear of burn-out and increasing bouts of vertigo, she accepts. Upon arrival it immediately becomes apparent that the people of Iskeull are weirdly focused on finding the truth about the day she woke up with a new outlook on life and started Eudomon. It soon becomes beyond weird as Alex makes major discoveries that might just explain what is going on.
A dazzling debut, this race-against-time, fantasy adventure is worth sticking with. I can imagine this may well be a Marmite book (you either love it or hate it) because it requires you to suspend disbelief at what Alex learns. However the plot is well-drawn because aside from the central concept (no spoilers) it is realistic and engaging. Alex is an excellent character, I felt invested in learning what is happening, for her sake as much as for the rest of the world. Pure escapism, I loved this.
Boorishly successful, Alex Moore's life in Shoreditch, London as the head of Edudomonia (an inexplicable wellbeing website and forum start-up) is about to change. Struggling with fear of failure Alex felt she had to become someone else in order to succeed, but she doesn't even know what she is hiding. Her friends (loving fiancé Harry and supportive best friend Mae) and family (her practical mum and beloved Dad, famous one-hit-winder author) believe she's not the same person she used to be. New Alex thinks old Alex (pre-Eudomonia) was a loser, resulting in bouts of vertigo whenever she thinks about her old life. Out of the blue she is invited to a private island Iskeull, a research centre in the Orkneys, Scotland; spurred on by fear of burn-out and increasing bouts of vertigo, she accepts. Upon arrival it immediately becomes apparent that the people of Iskeull are weirdly focused on finding the truth about the day she woke up with a new outlook on life and started Eudomon. It soon becomes beyond weird as Alex makes major discoveries that might just explain what is going on.
A dazzling debut, this race-against-time, fantasy adventure is worth sticking with. I can imagine this may well be a Marmite book (you either love it or hate it) because it requires you to suspend disbelief at what Alex learns. However the plot is well-drawn because aside from the central concept (no spoilers) it is realistic and engaging. Alex is an excellent character, I felt invested in learning what is happening, for her sake as much as for the rest of the world. Pure escapism, I loved this.