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finalgirlkate's reviews
232 reviews
The Mirror House Girls by Faith Gardner
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book got me out a two month long reading slump, it was definitely a 5 star for me.
I have a mixed history with cult books, but this one did it so well. You really understand why Winona gets sucked into the cult, and how what Simon and the other girls say affect her so much. I loved the irony of Winona being the only one to actually overcome her issue, while the other girls who all claimed to be fixed all had the same issues they came into the house with - Kristen was still an alcoholic, Maude was still scared of snakes, and Scarlett was still claustrophobic.
I hated Maude. I don't think I'm meant to like her, but she is actually evil in my opinion, just as evil as Simon. That woman looks for any opportunity to hurt someone or something physically. You could feel her salivating at the opportunity to become a prison ward for all the new girls joining Mirror House. Her need for control allowed Simon to keep his hands clean, and have someone else surveilling the house for him and keep the other girls in line.
I wish we had a little more insight to the other girls who joined the Mirror House later in the book. They are a monolith, and it was really difficult to keep them straight. They just had names, no other defining characteristics. I would've also loved to see Simon unraveling a bit more - it feels like he looses his grip really quickly towards the end. He goes from being very manipulative but smart and somewhat rational, to an outright murderer in a chapter or two. It all happens very quickly, and it would've been nice to see that change happen, even if Winona isn't noticing the pattern herself.
Definitely interested in other books by this author!!
I have a mixed history with cult books, but this one did it so well. You really understand why Winona gets sucked into the cult, and how what Simon and the other girls say affect her so much. I loved the irony of Winona being the only one to actually overcome her issue, while the other girls who all claimed to be fixed all had the same issues they came into the house with - Kristen was still an alcoholic, Maude was still scared of snakes, and Scarlett was still claustrophobic.
I hated Maude. I don't think I'm meant to like her, but she is actually evil in my opinion, just as evil as Simon. That woman looks for any opportunity to hurt someone or something physically. You could feel her salivating at the opportunity to become a prison ward for all the new girls joining Mirror House. Her need for control allowed Simon to keep his hands clean, and have someone else surveilling the house for him and keep the other girls in line.
I wish we had a little more insight to the other girls who joined the Mirror House later in the book. They are a monolith, and it was really difficult to keep them straight. They just had names, no other defining characteristics. I would've also loved to see Simon unraveling a bit more - it feels like he looses his grip really quickly towards the end. He goes from being very manipulative but smart and somewhat rational, to an outright murderer in a chapter or two. It all happens very quickly, and it would've been nice to see that change happen, even if Winona isn't noticing the pattern herself.
Definitely interested in other books by this author!!
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant
Did not finish book. Stopped at 60%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 60%.
DNF @ 60%
this book is just too slow for me, trying to fight my way out of a reading slump. a lot of mutuals love this book, so maybe I’ll try again in the future.
this book is just too slow for me, trying to fight my way out of a reading slump. a lot of mutuals love this book, so maybe I’ll try again in the future.
Rest Stop by Nat Cassidy
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Very fast paced, I got through this book in one sitting. Reads much faster than expected because there are so many chapters that are less than one page.
This story is very dark, and the ending is ambiguous. I’m not sure I understand all of the symbolism of the story, but I still enjoyed it enough to read it all at once.
This story is very dark, and the ending is ambiguous. I’m not sure I understand all of the symbolism of the story, but I still enjoyed it enough to read it all at once.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Animal cruelty
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I think I would've enjoyed this more if I read it a few years ago, because now it just feels like another popcorn thriller. But when this was released, this was probably a pretty surprising twist. The fast pace was good, and I am grateful the audiobook was short, so I can at least get another book off my backlist TBR.
I am not sure I'm interested in B.A. Paris books anymore, this was my fourth one and they've all been either unenjoyable to just fine.
Jack is such an abusive partner, but in such an unrealistic way, I just couldn't get into this book. He is so over the top, all of this plans are fully executed perfectly and as sadistic as possible, but also has the best possible reputation possible. He's such a Gary Sue to the others in his life, it makes it so unbelievable. Not that I need realism in my thrillers, but I find the unrealistic plot annoying when there's all this commentary about how anyone can be a wolf in sheep's clothing. That message is totally lost when the character used to make this point is so over the top.
I am not sure I'm interested in B.A. Paris books anymore, this was my fourth one and they've all been either unenjoyable to just fine.
Jack is such an abusive partner, but in such an unrealistic way, I just couldn't get into this book. He is so over the top, all of this plans are fully executed perfectly and as sadistic as possible, but also has the best possible reputation possible. He's such a Gary Sue to the others in his life, it makes it so unbelievable. Not that I need realism in my thrillers, but I find the unrealistic plot annoying when there's all this commentary about how anyone can be a wolf in sheep's clothing. That message is totally lost when the character used to make this point is so over the top.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship
Girl in the Walls by A.J. Gnuse
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
just did not hold my attention, the idea seemed interesting enough so i think it would work for others.
maybe i'll try again in the future? not sure
maybe i'll try again in the future? not sure
56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This book is fine, not great but not bad by any means.
The COVID setting was pretty accurate to my memory, and it does provide an interesting setting, and reason for the couple being somewhat isolated. So that was a unique aspect to this thriller.
Other than the Covid setting, this is a pretty typical thriller, which haven’t been hitting for me lately.
The COVID setting was pretty accurate to my memory, and it does provide an interesting setting, and reason for the couple being somewhat isolated. So that was a unique aspect to this thriller.
Other than the Covid setting, this is a pretty typical thriller, which haven’t been hitting for me lately.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If I had read this when it came out, or if the story hadn't been spoiled for me, it would definitely be a full 5 star read. Even knowing basically the entire plot, I still really enjoyed reading this book.
Amy is a horrible person, but it's so easy to root for her. The author does an amazing job of making you sympathize with Amy, and all of the things Nick puts her through. Amy is also so incredibly smart, it's easy to see why she'd be so resentful of settling in such a dull relationship.
But you also grow to like Nick, when you see how much Amy has done to set him up.
Amy is a horrible person, but it's so easy to root for her. The author does an amazing job of making you sympathize with Amy, and all of the things Nick puts her through. Amy is also so incredibly smart, it's easy to see why she'd be so resentful of settling in such a dull relationship.
But you also grow to like Nick, when you see how much Amy has done to set him up.
The Night Shift by Alex Finlay
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5