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wow_its_liz 's review for:
The Compound
by Aisling Rawle
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!
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!