A review by the_tea_collector22
Sundial by Catriona Ward

dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.75

While I enjoyed the twist at the end quite a bit because it had intentionally mislead me and subverted my expectations of the characters, damn was this book sooo slow the pay off  at the end almost doesn’t feel worth it. It was a struggle to get through at many moments, where the tension in the tone wasn’t taught enough to keep propelling me forward. It alternates perspectives and time where a good chunk of the book is retelling Rob’s life to Callie interspersed with their present day thoughts and feelings, but the retelling moments felt so long and drawn out to get to the meat of the story/ backstory. By the time we get to the end so much feels like filler (like the Arrowwood chapters never felt like they paid off for me, I still don’t get them), the book could’ve been cut down by 100 pgs and not lost what makes the twist at the end enjoyable- if anything it likely would make it more enjoyable since the pacing would be quicker. 

I think the concept was there, but the pacing was so slow and drawn out rather than punchy- if it was a more complicated storyline and punchy I think I would have liked it more. 
Also kind of wish the small cliff hanger at the end was given more resolution, but I also understand that being a stylistic choice. 
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