A good audiobook, and a pacy, dramatic book. Not sure I loved the MC, and not really sure she realized the damage caused to her friends and family by her impulsiveness. But I’m happy it all worked out for her & her friends!
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I was so excited for more from Emilia Hart, since I loved her debut, WEYWARD! This novel follows a young woman who leaves college after a harrowing encounter & flees to her sister, who lives in a remote beach town with a dark history. But her sister isn’t there when she arrives, and mysterious dreams begin taking over her life, showing her a story that might not be so farfetched after all.
The story sounds so intriguing, but it fell a bit flat for me. I think Hart shines when writing historical fiction, but the contemporary part of the narrative felt a bit flat and overdone to me. There’s a LOT of different storylines stuffed into this novel, and I found the contemporary parts to feel trite. The attempt at injecting feminism into the plot worked more in the historical storyline, and felt elementary in the contemporary storyline.
The characters & their formidable bonds in the historical storyline kept me reading. Otherwise, I might have been tempted to put this down. Even so, this is a quick read, so if you’re a fan of mystery, touches of fantasy, and righteous revenge, then this might be a good beach read for ya.
Thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my advanced digital copy. THE SIRENS is out April 1st!
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Another banger from Chidgey. Such a unique concept that unfolds into a wrenching, emotional story. Tama is an endearing, sometimes infuriating narrator, who wants the best for those he loves, but doesn’t always know how to get there. Chidgey takes a somewhat kooky idea and injects it with such emotion, wisdom, and genius.
Thank you Europa for my advanced copy that I took far too long to read!
I can do this no longer. I thought this would be a fun thriller to binge but I am not thrilled. Also, this feels like two books in one. I wish the White Alice section was its own book! I am intrigued! But then I’m pulled away to Rose, who’s story is moving slow but is somewhat interesting, or to Grant, a spoiled wimp. Can’t say I’m compelled. Alas!