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A review by alyssasaurus
Infamous by Lex Croucher
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Based on the whimsical pink cover, I had not expected this book to be so gothic. Infamous could comfortably sit beside both Wuthering Heights and The Secret History, capturing the bleak landscape of rural England and the chaotic bacchanalia of the cultural elite in one narrative. Despite the misdirect that the cover and first few chapters present, this book was enjoyable. However, Gothic literature isn’t really to my taste, so for that I have knocked off a star.
Lex has skillfully created characters with depth and who are deeply flawed. They vividly erupt from the page and demand your attention. The plot, on the other hand, left something to be desired. I saw the final conflict coming from 20% into the book. I wish the final twist had been less easy to spot for me. Since it was so obvious to me, I had to wonder how no characters shared my suspicion.
The book is atmospheric and spooky and fraught with tension as Eddie’s hopeful innocence butts up against Nash and company’s flamboyant recklessness.
The romance between Eddie and Rose hit just right—a compelling story of friends-to-lovers complicated by the lack of cultural awareness or support of same-sex relationships. Their steady story under the chaos of the rest of the book played an interesting countermelody. I found myself hoping for their romantic success throughout the book.
In all, this was interesting, and skillfully told, but not entirely to my taste.
Lex has skillfully created characters with depth and who are deeply flawed. They vividly erupt from the page and demand your attention. The plot, on the other hand, left something to be desired. I saw the final conflict coming from 20% into the book. I wish the final twist had been less easy to spot for me. Since it was so obvious to me, I had to wonder how no characters shared my suspicion.
The book is atmospheric and spooky and fraught with tension as Eddie’s hopeful innocence butts up against Nash and company’s flamboyant recklessness.
The romance between Eddie and Rose hit just right—a compelling story of friends-to-lovers complicated by the lack of cultural awareness or support of same-sex relationships. Their steady story under the chaos of the rest of the book played an interesting countermelody. I found myself hoping for their romantic success throughout the book.
In all, this was interesting, and skillfully told, but not entirely to my taste.