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marik0n's reviews
521 reviews
No Exit by Taylor Adams
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
What a roller coaster, fast-paced, shit show of a book that was!
Our FMC is Darby Thorne, a college student, who attempts to travel to Utah but gets stuck in a snowstorm at a rest stop, where she sees something she can't unsee; there is a little girl inside one of the parked vans, stuck in a dog cage. Unfortunately, this means that one of the four other people in the rest station is a child kidnapper. Of course, there is no cell phone reception, her phone is drained of battery and there is no way out.
The thing about this book is that early on we find out who did it. It's not one of those "but who could have done it" kind of books. HOWEVER, THAT'S THE LEAST OF OUR PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW.
If you are in the mood for a claustrophobic, forced-proximity, this-blizzard-is-going-to-be-the-end-of-me thriller, there you have it!
There was a bunch of plot twists in this book, some of them predictable, some not. It's was extremely captivating nevertheless. I simply could not stop reading it.
When I was in the middle of the book (51.2%) I was like "What more can happen here?! Why is there more?". I was actually shocked that I was only halfway through. My girl Darby really couldn't catch a break.
I absolutely LOVED Darby. She is strategic, balllsy and careful calculates every decision she makes, considering each and every consequence. There chess metaphors were right there, but there was no need. You can't avoid feeling like you're watching a chess game, where each player tries to calculate their opponent's next moves.
If you are looking for an action-packed, page-turner you should absolutely pick this book up.
Our FMC is Darby Thorne, a college student, who attempts to travel to Utah but gets stuck in a snowstorm at a rest stop, where she sees something she can't unsee; there is a little girl inside one of the parked vans, stuck in a dog cage. Unfortunately, this means that one of the four other people in the rest station is a child kidnapper. Of course, there is no cell phone reception, her phone is drained of battery and there is no way out.
The thing about this book is that early on we find out who did it. It's not one of those "but who could have done it" kind of books. HOWEVER, THAT'S THE LEAST OF OUR PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW.
If you are in the mood for a claustrophobic, forced-proximity, this-blizzard-is-going-to-be-the-end-of-me thriller, there you have it!
There was a bunch of plot twists in this book, some of them predictable, some not. It's was extremely captivating nevertheless. I simply could not stop reading it.
When I was in the middle of the book (51.2%) I was like "What more can happen here?! Why is there more?". I was actually shocked that I was only halfway through. My girl Darby really couldn't catch a break.
I absolutely LOVED Darby. She is strategic, balllsy and careful calculates every decision she makes, considering each and every consequence. There chess metaphors were right there, but there was no need. You can't avoid feeling like you're watching a chess game, where each player tries to calculate their opponent's next moves.
If you are looking for an action-packed, page-turner you should absolutely pick this book up.
A Fatal Affair by A.R. Torre
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I was looking forward to reading this book long before it was published. 2023 was the year that I discovered A.R. Torre and I mostly enjoy her books. However, this one was below her level.
By no means it was a bad book. It just wasn't mind blowing and the twins plot twist was extremely predictable. On the other hand, if you are new to thrillers, it's pretty much a given that you will enjoy this. There are a lot of povs, most of them not really necessary, but, the chapters are really short and there is a flow when reading.
All in all, it's an okay book that you can enjoy, but do not set yourself for disappointment and consider it a gripping read.
By no means it was a bad book. It just wasn't mind blowing and the twins plot twist was extremely predictable. On the other hand, if you are new to thrillers, it's pretty much a given that you will enjoy this. There are a lot of povs, most of them not really necessary, but, the chapters are really short and there is a flow when reading.
All in all, it's an okay book that you can enjoy, but do not set yourself for disappointment and consider it a gripping read.
The Ex by Freida McFadden
mysterious
medium-paced
2.0
If you can't tell, I am still in my McFadden binge reading era.
My main problem with this book was that both Joelle and Cassie annoyed me A LOT. Especially Cassie. She is so childish, despite the fact that she is a 24 (or is it 26? I am not sure) woman. Don't get me started on her big 'secret'. When I found out what it was I immediately lost 40% of my interest in this book. Thankfully the relevation took place at the very end of it.
Despite understanding almost immediately what the plot twist would be, it was an easy read, with the pages turning without effort. It was okay I guess. Not great, not horrible.
My main problem with this book was that both Joelle and Cassie annoyed me A LOT. Especially Cassie. She is so childish, despite the fact that she is a 24 (or is it 26? I am not sure) woman. Don't get me started on her big 'secret'. When I found out what it was I immediately lost 40% of my interest in this book. Thankfully the relevation took place at the very end of it.
Despite understanding almost immediately what the plot twist would be, it was an easy read, with the pages turning without effort. It was okay I guess. Not great, not horrible.
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
In 'One True Loves' by Taylor Jenkins Reid, the MFC, Emma Blair is facing an impossible situation; one her first wedding anniversary with her husband Jessie (her high school sweetheart), he is envolved in a helipocter accident in the Pacific Ocean and is thought to be gone forever.
Emma is heartbroken, but years later she has eventually managed to stand back up on her own feet and has grabbed another chance at true love and happiness. However, her world is about to be shaken to its core once again, when it is revealed that Jessie actually survived the accident and he is coming back.
That book was just such a complicated, impossible situation. Even though I didn't really like Jessie from the start and I thought that he wasn't actually a match for Emma, she obviously thought otherwise. My point is, that despite the fact that I didn't particularly like him neither as a character nor as her partner, this book still managed to move me and put me through great thought regarding what should Emma do.
I was pleased with the ending. There are two quotes that totally melted me; 1.' I can't just hope for you, but fight' (YOU GO DO THAT!) and 2. 'I am who I am today because I loved you once'. (Isn't that true for everyone? Don't our loves change and shape us?).
Overall it was another enjoyable book from TJR, I am looking forward to reading the rest of her books.
Emma is heartbroken, but years later she has eventually managed to stand back up on her own feet and has grabbed another chance at true love and happiness. However, her world is about to be shaken to its core once again, when it is revealed that Jessie actually survived the accident and he is coming back.
That book was just such a complicated, impossible situation. Even though I didn't really like Jessie from the start and I thought that he wasn't actually a match for Emma, she obviously thought otherwise. My point is, that despite the fact that I didn't particularly like him neither as a character nor as her partner, this book still managed to move me and put me through great thought regarding what should Emma do.
I was pleased with the ending. There are two quotes that totally melted me; 1.' I can't just hope for you, but fight' (YOU GO DO THAT!) and 2. 'I am who I am today because I loved you once'. (Isn't that true for everyone? Don't our loves change and shape us?).
Overall it was another enjoyable book from TJR, I am looking forward to reading the rest of her books.
Brain Damage by Freida McFadden
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
I DNFed this books at 20% because I could take it no more.
The pov changes back and forth between "before the incident" and "after the incident". To be honest, the thing that tired me was the "after the incident" pov, which is basically a kid trying to understand the world, which is okay if you're a kid, but she is a grown adult. Nothing exciting happened in all these pages and I simply do not spend time reading books that I do not feel interested in.
The pov changes back and forth between "before the incident" and "after the incident". To be honest, the thing that tired me was the "after the incident" pov, which is basically a kid trying to understand the world, which is okay if you're a kid, but she is a grown adult. Nothing exciting happened in all these pages and I simply do not spend time reading books that I do not feel interested in.