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cayenne503's Reviews (227)
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Picked it up because it’s short and it’s the end of the year but just wasn’t in the mood
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m struggling with how to rate this book. On the one hand, the writing is very simplistic, repetitive, and the plot just barrels forward like a freight train regardless of choices by any of the characters. On the other hand, I was absolutely hooked and finished it in one sitting (audiobook on 2X speed was a factor). I saw a bunch of reviews of people saying they had guessed the twist well before the reveal—I thought for sure they were referring to the incredibly obvious red herring and convinced myself that it was a double red herring that would turn out to be true. When the actual twist came I actually gasped out loud and stared at my phone. I suppose I’m easily entertained and not particularly clever lol.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Every single character is an awful person! Not poorly written mind you. They just make terrible decisions and live terrible miserable lives. I do think the three different narrators for the three main characters added an extra dimension that you wouldn’t get in the written book. Kept it interesting. Overall a good thriller. I don’t know that “enjoyable” is the right word, considering, but it did a good job of hooking me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Fatphobia, Excrement
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Abortion
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Intelligent woman says the quiet part out loud and alters the course of history. Interesting story with an important message. So good! My only gripe is the ending: the plot was perfect but it felt a little too drawn out compared to the rest of the story…just slightly less tight if that makes any sense. I initially rate 4.75/5 for that reason but on second thought it’s such a minor complaint for such a great book, so I’m amending to a complete 5/5. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
I just could not get interested in this. The hook wasn’t there for me.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel sad writing this but I was disappointed by this book. Previously stormlight books have been easy 5+ ratings for me and this one just didn’t live up to that standard. I think part of it is because Brando Sando has a different editor now (though the same editor also worked on book 4 and I don’t have the same problems with that book).
The story itself is excellent which I would expect. The problems are in the pacing and polish. This book, as long as it is, doesn’t feel quite as “done” as the earlier installments. The ever present advice to writers of “show don’t tell” seemed forgotten at many points. There were multiple times that I felt like I was being beaten over the head with the lesson/moral/belief that the author was trying to impart—a feeling that left me annoyed and a little insulted, as though I wouldn’t pick up on the not so subtle messaging unless it was spelled out in black and white. There are also a number of language choices, especially modern phrasing, that I found jarring and incongruous with the earlier books in the series. In a lot of ways it reminds me of the downward turn that Marvel and Star Wars movies have taken of late.
Looking back on it I can see why each character’s story had to be told the way it was, but I do feel like it was dragged out with a lot of padding. The incredibly slow build up made the Sanderlanche, when it finally came, less satisfying than usual because it didn’t feel like all of a sudden STUFF GOT REAL. on the other hand, given the context of the setting, maybe that feeling works since it’s essentially what all the characters experienced too.
All these complaints aside I still consider myself an avowed Sanderson fan. This book wasn’t my personal favorite but it was still good. I’m anxiously waiting for book 6 and sad that is, apparently, six years away.
The story itself is excellent which I would expect. The problems are in the pacing and polish. This book, as long as it is, doesn’t feel quite as “done” as the earlier installments. The ever present advice to writers of “show don’t tell” seemed forgotten at many points. There were multiple times that I felt like I was being beaten over the head with the lesson/moral/belief that the author was trying to impart—a feeling that left me annoyed and a little insulted, as though I wouldn’t pick up on the not so subtle messaging unless it was spelled out in black and white. There are also a number of language choices, especially modern phrasing, that I found jarring and incongruous with the earlier books in the series. In a lot of ways it reminds me of the downward turn that Marvel and Star Wars movies have taken of late.
Looking back on it I can see why each character’s story had to be told the way it was, but I do feel like it was dragged out with a lot of padding. The incredibly slow build up made the Sanderlanche, when it finally came, less satisfying than usual because it didn’t feel like all of a sudden STUFF GOT REAL. on the other hand, given the context of the setting, maybe that feeling works since it’s essentially what all the characters experienced too.
All these complaints aside I still consider myself an avowed Sanderson fan. This book wasn’t my personal favorite but it was still good. I’m anxiously waiting for book 6 and sad that is, apparently, six years away.
I didn’t find the MC likable. But, I also didn’t give this book my full attention so I will probably try again in the future
