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stormlightreader's Reviews (937)
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First read (5*): Fantastic! I read the last 350 pages in one sitting - it was that good. Definitely on my 'to re-read list'. I made the mistake of watching the film afterwards and it did NOT match up to the book. The book was definitely better.
Re-read (4*): there wasn't a great deal of suspense, due to this a being a re-read but credit where credit's due, the intrigue was still there and I forgot the majority of what happened with the exception of a few key events, so the real award for me enjoying this re-read goes to my memory for being totally rubbish and forgetting almost every element of the book.
This time around I tried to look for foreshadowing, which is a lot easier said than done in a book where the two main characters are compulsive liars, but I gave it a shot anyway. Despite having read this once, it's still quite a guessing game as to what is true and what isn't with Amy (and Nick). Nick and Amy are memorable for the fact that they are not at all likeable. I do think the intrigue was still there, despite it being a re-read. I genuinely expected to skim it just to get a gist and remind myself of the story but I was sleuthing my way through it. It was tough in the first 50 or so pages due to the sheer amount of descriptive and flowery writing, but the writing style changes and becomes more matter of fact as the marriage loses its spark (which doesn't take long), so if Flynn was trying to illustrate that through the writing, then well done. If she wasn't, then I hated those initial chapters and don't understand the need for that writing. However, from pretty much the halfway point onwards, I kept thinking I was spotting clues and then doubting myself because Amy and Nick are so unreliable and it's very difficult to separate truth from premeditated framing and plain lying, but I think this is good writing on Flynn's part. It put you in Nick's (and Go's shoes) because this constant flip flopping of events is insane and more so because we (the reader) are getting both 'versions' while, at the halfway point, even Nick's only getting snippets.
Overall, I expected to end up hating this because thrillers rarely impress on re-read but it's only dropped a star and I still got some surprises.
Re-read (4*): there wasn't a great deal of suspense, due to this a being a re-read but credit where credit's due, the intrigue was still there and I forgot the majority of what happened with the exception of a few key events, so the real award for me enjoying this re-read goes to my memory for being totally rubbish and forgetting almost every element of the book.
This time around I tried to look for foreshadowing, which is a lot easier said than done in a book where the two main characters are compulsive liars, but I gave it a shot anyway. Despite having read this once, it's still quite a guessing game as to what is true and what isn't with Amy (and Nick). Nick and Amy are memorable for the fact that they are not at all likeable. I do think the intrigue was still there, despite it being a re-read. I genuinely expected to skim it just to get a gist and remind myself of the story but I was sleuthing my way through it. It was tough in the first 50 or so pages due to the sheer amount of descriptive and flowery writing, but the writing style changes and becomes more matter of fact as the marriage loses its spark (which doesn't take long), so if Flynn was trying to illustrate that through the writing, then well done. If she wasn't, then I hated those initial chapters and don't understand the need for that writing. However, from pretty much the halfway point onwards, I kept thinking I was spotting clues and then doubting myself because Amy and Nick are so unreliable and it's very difficult to separate truth from premeditated framing and plain lying, but I think this is good writing on Flynn's part. It put you in Nick's (and Go's shoes) because this constant flip flopping of events is insane and more so because we (the reader) are getting both 'versions' while, at the halfway point, even Nick's only getting snippets.
Overall, I expected to end up hating this because thrillers rarely impress on re-read but it's only dropped a star and I still got some surprises.
This had the potential to be a great book, but it just ended up being a low quality re-hash of Gone Girl, which is a much better read. This book did not live up to the hype at all.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
First read: no review again (shocker!) but I remember loving this book on my first read. (4*)
Re-read: Honestly, some Reacher books should not appeal to me, like this one ("A woman who needs Reacher's assistance in her new job. Her job? Protecting the Vice-President of the United States"). For me, a Reacher book peaks when Joe Reacher and/or Frances Neagley make an appearance and in this one we get Neagley and Joe (heavily discussed). I know I liked this on my initial read but on reread I was so engrossed. I've said it before and I maintain my stance that while it is not completely believable that Reacher is always able to solve these cases or even end up in a position to help with cases, I don't care. I love him even more in this book. The background on his relationship with Joe paints a clearer picture of their relationship and gives some insight into how close they were. The relationship between Reacher and Neagley is one of my favourite fictional relationships and I always enjoy seeing them work together. Just that glimpse into his professional (post-military) side and how he navigates a platonic relationship with her (if you read Reacher, you know what I mean) and this book also gives Neagley a lot of attention, which I love. Just based on the Reacher/Neagley relationship, I'd love to see this book adapted as a season of Reacher. Anyway, the plot. As I said at the start, this sort of plot should not appeal to me and I only had one minor complaint which was I couldn't quite believe the reveal of what was motivating the shooters to assassinate the Vice-President. Nevertheless, this was really minor and barely impacted my experience beyond a conversation spanning a few pages. (5*)
Re-read: Honestly, some Reacher books should not appeal to me, like this one ("A woman who needs Reacher's assistance in her new job. Her job? Protecting the Vice-President of the United States"). For me, a Reacher book peaks when Joe Reacher and/or Frances Neagley make an appearance and in this one we get Neagley and Joe (heavily discussed). I know I liked this on my initial read but on reread I was so engrossed. I've said it before and I maintain my stance that while it is not completely believable that Reacher is always able to solve these cases or even end up in a position to help with cases, I don't care. I love him even more in this book. The background on his relationship with Joe paints a clearer picture of their relationship and gives some insight into how close they were. The relationship between Reacher and Neagley is one of my favourite fictional relationships and I always enjoy seeing them work together. Just that glimpse into his professional (post-military) side and how he navigates a platonic relationship with her (if you read Reacher, you know what I mean) and this book also gives Neagley a lot of attention, which I love. Just based on the Reacher/Neagley relationship, I'd love to see this book adapted as a season of Reacher. Anyway, the plot. As I said at the start, this sort of plot should not appeal to me and I only had one minor complaint which was I couldn't quite believe the reveal of what was motivating the shooters to assassinate the Vice-President. Nevertheless, this was really minor and barely impacted my experience beyond a conversation spanning a few pages. (5*)
Not as good as the first JP book I read (1st To Die), but good with a solid twist.
This book was amazing - one of the best books I've ever read! By the midway point I agreed with the killer and by the end of the book I could've hugged him. Definitely on my 'to re-read list'. I adored this book.
Some good twists. Not as good as 1st To Die. The short chapters make it quick to get through. I do love the Women's Murder Club.
