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shiv91's Reviews (1.08k)
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm generally not a fan of multiple POVs and this is another book that falls in to that category. There were so many characters that you don't really get to know any of them very well.
I couldn't connect with any of the characters, the side characters felt pointless, I mean who's David??
By the end of the book, I felt like nothing was really resolved and it was more frustrating than anything.
I couldn't connect with any of the characters, the side characters felt pointless, I mean who's David??
By the end of the book, I felt like nothing was really resolved and it was more frustrating than anything.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A creepy story with some really interesting characters. Read it all in one sitting.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This felt like a million different genres and plots all mish mashed into one giant bowl of confusion.
It started off interesting, if not a bit confusing but as the book went on, it just felt a bit ridiculous and there were things that were left without really being explained properly.
It started off interesting, if not a bit confusing but as the book went on, it just felt a bit ridiculous and there were things that were left without really being explained properly.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Lapena's books tend to all be somewhat similar in regard to themes, the whole "whodunnit" thing. In saying that, I always find them to be entertaining.
It was the same with this book, while relatively predictable, it's a fun read that does have plenty of twists and turns, even if you often do see them coming.
It was the same with this book, while relatively predictable, it's a fun read that does have plenty of twists and turns, even if you often do see them coming.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When I first started reading this, I thought it was going to be a real let down. It was boring me, the pace of the story felt very slow and nothing seemed to be happening.
This continued for about half of the book, maybe slightly less when it got my interest. The "creepy factor" set in and I really want to find out more about what went on in the asylum and if Ricky did manage to escape.
I wanted to read this prequel before I committed to the series but I think I will give them a go.
This continued for about half of the book, maybe slightly less when it got my interest. The "creepy factor" set in and I really want to find out more about what went on in the asylum and if Ricky did manage to escape.
I wanted to read this prequel before I committed to the series but I think I will give them a go.
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As expected, a very messed up book which shows how generations can continue doing something, even though it's wrong, just because "the same happened to me so it makes sense to continue this depravity" schtick.
My own gripes with this are pretty much things that have been mentioned in other reviews of this book.
Understandably, with a short book you can only give so much background information but this really went from 0 to 100 in the blink of an eye.
Then physically/medically there was a moment with the father and Ashlee where he forces her to eat some condoms and she doesn't choke (she did choke but seemingly only on the first one then managed fine?) and she also doesn't end up with some sort or obstruction or severe infection from the foreign bodies on her system.
My own gripes with this are pretty much things that have been mentioned in other reviews of this book.
Understandably, with a short book you can only give so much background information but this really went from 0 to 100 in the blink of an eye.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fun read as always. Going by the book, I'm really hoping for more books! Love Percy
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"But damage doesn't necessarily mean broken."
This book touched on some heavy subjects and I applaud how the author broached the subject of grief. You never stop grieving, you just learn how to live with it better as time goes on.
Dara was an interesting side character with a main character role. To the point where I began wondering, whether it was her story or Otis/Megs' story.
What I didn't particularly like was Meg, I get that she went through a lot and has her own demons but Otis lost his brother and I found myself being annoyed because she came across pretty selfish.
Also, I didn't like that it took basically the whole book to find out about Mason and by the time we were told more, I wasn't really too affected by it.
This book touched on some heavy subjects and I applaud how the author broached the subject of grief. You never stop grieving, you just learn how to live with it better as time goes on.
Dara was an interesting side character with a main character role. To the point where I began wondering, whether it was her story or Otis/Megs' story.
Also, I didn't like that it took basically the whole book to find out about Mason and by the time we were told more, I wasn't really too affected by it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a dark, tense read. The kind of book that would make you doubt the sincerity of those around you. Family and strangers alike.
I found myself torn between feeling sorry for the characters and wanting to close the book for a time to contemplate the complexity of human beings.
The story itself had me trying to figure out what the next move would be, so I was glad to see a book not being too predictable.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I found myself torn between feeling sorry for the characters and wanting to close the book for a time to contemplate the complexity of human beings.
The story itself had me trying to figure out what the next move would be, so I was glad to see a book not being too predictable.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love the Jack Reacher books but this was not a Jack Reacher book. It might as well have been a completely different character because this Reacher didn't give me the same, cool, intelligent badass vibes that previous books have. This read more like a caricature of him.
We know that Reacher isn't big on technology so he doesn't own a phone, uses them when needed by borrowing, stealing etc but for him to see a phone ask for face ID and him to not know what that is really bothered me. He can figure out insane plans that the bad guys make when no one else can but he doesn't know what face ID is?
The writing felt so stilted and didn't flow well at all. I felt a lot of the descriptions of things were over the top and unnecessary.
The plot itself felt awkward and not particularly interesting. The fight scenes were weird too.
I don't think I'll be reading any more Reacher books that Andrew Child is involved with. It would have been better if Lee Child had ended the series instead.
Gave 2 stars for Fenton being an alright character.
We know that Reacher isn't big on technology so he doesn't own a phone, uses them when needed by borrowing, stealing etc but for him to see a phone ask for face ID and him to not know what that is really bothered me. He can figure out insane plans that the bad guys make when no one else can but he doesn't know what face ID is?
The writing felt so stilted and didn't flow well at all. I felt a lot of the descriptions of things were over the top and unnecessary.
The plot itself felt awkward and not particularly interesting. The fight scenes were weird too.
I don't think I'll be reading any more Reacher books that Andrew Child is involved with. It would have been better if Lee Child had ended the series instead.
Gave 2 stars for Fenton being an alright character.