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holdenwunders_'s reviews
336 reviews
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
I’m never disappointed by a Riley Sager. It always has you hopping about, questioning, positing, wondering if it’s supernatural or not and the ending is always satisfying.
I particularly love the way he did the POVS with our main character in the present and each flashback being on the same day but a different perspective each time. Already excited for his next.
I particularly love the way he did the POVS with our main character in the present and each flashback being on the same day but a different perspective each time. Already excited for his next.
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
It’s incredibly hard to write a masterful gothic horror book and this was just that. It was like reading Alice Madness Returns (the game) and it was horrifying, filled with trauma, sorrowful, and exquisitely beautiful.
Just yes.
Just yes.
Run by Blake Crouch
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Blake Crouch is one of my all time favourite writers and the king of balancing timing, story, genre while maintaining his unique point of view with a whole lot of technical skill.
The only book of his I had never read was Run and when I saw it was being rereleased and an ARC, I jumped at the excuse to finally read this story. As always, Crouch has a unique perspective on something that’s been done a myriad of ways. This was like reading The Walking Dead (there are no zombies) from Rick’s perspective if he was still with his family and it just go, go, GOES. Run is a fast paced, honed in view of a family who has no room to breathe while trying to survive an apocalyptic situation while being hunted around every turn
But I do have to say my favourite part of reading this book was seeing just how far Crouch has come as an authour and the growth when it comes to his skill. Crouch is known for dropping you right into the meat of the story and it just never stops and Run does this but not nearly as tightly as Recursion. Dark Matter, etc. I can see where he has fine tuned the lines of train of thought and keeping you in the action while still pacing in a way to give you reprieves. Run doesn’t quite nail the nuisances in technique that I’m so used to! And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, he started as an innovative voice but it definitely felt like reading a first book by someone who could one day be the best.
I love that he rereleased this and it was a unique experience seeing how far he’s come but I would be so fascinated to see him rewrite this story with all the things he’s learned throughout the years. It’s a solid thriller but it doesn’t quite capture the genius of Blake Crouch I know and love today.
The only book of his I had never read was Run and when I saw it was being rereleased and an ARC, I jumped at the excuse to finally read this story. As always, Crouch has a unique perspective on something that’s been done a myriad of ways. This was like reading The Walking Dead (there are no zombies) from Rick’s perspective if he was still with his family and it just go, go, GOES. Run is a fast paced, honed in view of a family who has no room to breathe while trying to survive an apocalyptic situation while being hunted around every turn
But I do have to say my favourite part of reading this book was seeing just how far Crouch has come as an authour and the growth when it comes to his skill. Crouch is known for dropping you right into the meat of the story and it just never stops and Run does this but not nearly as tightly as Recursion. Dark Matter, etc. I can see where he has fine tuned the lines of train of thought and keeping you in the action while still pacing in a way to give you reprieves. Run doesn’t quite nail the nuisances in technique that I’m so used to! And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, he started as an innovative voice but it definitely felt like reading a first book by someone who could one day be the best.
I love that he rereleased this and it was a unique experience seeing how far he’s come but I would be so fascinated to see him rewrite this story with all the things he’s learned throughout the years. It’s a solid thriller but it doesn’t quite capture the genius of Blake Crouch I know and love today.
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Here One Moment is unlike any Liane Moriarty book I’ve read!! She is a master story teller when it comes to weaving unique characters, telling a thrilling tale and just solid writing techniques.
Diving into a genre more akin to contemporary fiction than her usual thriller lead books, I found Here One Moment equally as thrilling even without it being in that genre. It begs the same questions we all ponder at one point in life and lets a myriad of characters answer from their individual perspectives.
Riveting and beautifully written, Moriarty gives readers a solid and thoughtfully crafted new book. I did think it was a bit unnecessarily long but do understand with such a large cast of characters we need ample time to get to know them individually for the end to have the impact it does
Diving into a genre more akin to contemporary fiction than her usual thriller lead books, I found Here One Moment equally as thrilling even without it being in that genre. It begs the same questions we all ponder at one point in life and lets a myriad of characters answer from their individual perspectives.
Riveting and beautifully written, Moriarty gives readers a solid and thoughtfully crafted new book. I did think it was a bit unnecessarily long but do understand with such a large cast of characters we need ample time to get to know them individually for the end to have the impact it does