A very strong thriller debut. Better the Blood is about Hana Westerman, a detective in Auckland, who gets a mysterious video that sets off a series ofA very strong thriller debut. Better the Blood is about Hana Westerman, a detective in Auckland, who gets a mysterious video that sets off a series of deaths. The crime and deaths aren't the most interesting thing in this book, I was more drawn in by the way it depicts New Zealand's history and the society of today. Hana is Maori and one of the best things about this book is the way it makes Hana deal with her choices and her heritage and how those conflict. The twists and turns here are a bit predictable, especially when things start to get personal. However, Bennett does a good job with detailing colonialism and how it has affected generations of Maori and that's what makes this an interesting story. Obviously it doesn't hurt that it's written well enough to make you want to read one more chapter to see how the story evolves. At times it feels things go somewhat over the top, but the story is concise enough to stay coherent. Would like to read more stuff like this....more
Taylor Jenkins Reid is a hit-or-miss author for me and this time around it's a hit. I really enjoyed reading this, wanted to keep reading just one morTaylor Jenkins Reid is a hit-or-miss author for me and this time around it's a hit. I really enjoyed reading this, wanted to keep reading just one more chapter even though I knew I should have been going to bed.
I think, what makes this so much better for me than "Malibu Rising" for example, is that isn't about relationships. Or well, it is, but not of the romantic kind. Because this book is about Carrie Soto's love for tennis, about being the best, about being the number one and legend. And it's refreshing to read about a woman who is ambitious, strives for something. Yes, there are characters like that in her other books, but this time the focus felt different. Maybe because Carrie didn't get everything she wanted, maybe because she was older. Yes, she is a bit annoyingly unbeatable, feels a bit too perfect - but if you've ever paid attention to tennis, she felt real. Because there are people like her in tennis.
I especially liked the 'present' day part, though I understand why there needed to be the beginning with Carrie's background, how she became what she was. I also loved that while there was a romance subplot, it was exactly that. It happened, but it didn't take up all that much of the book. The main focus was on tennis, and Carrie's relationship with her father, which was also deeply intertwined with the sport. I loved spotting things Jenkins Reid had borrowed from real players (even if I wasn't into the sport in the 90s). I do think that because this is so heavy on the sport, you probably need to know a few things about tennis to genuinely get into and enjoy this. Yes, she does a good job explaining things, but if you know how the game has developed over the years, how much things have changed from a few decades ago, it's a lot easier to read.
More stories like this and I don't have to wonder if another Taylor Jenkins Reid book is going to be a hit or miss. Trim out some of the repetition (how many times do we really need mentions of someone's breakfast...) and make characters believable like Carrie Soto, and we're good. ...more
I'd go with 3.5 stars, rounding it down because some parts of this were predictable and not in a good way.
Alice Hart ends up living in a flower farm I'd go with 3.5 stars, rounding it down because some parts of this were predictable and not in a good way.
Alice Hart ends up living in a flower farm with her grandmother after her parents die in an accident. We follow her through the years, as she grows up and discovers some family secrets - and who she herself is. (It's not really that much about the secrets, it's the whole family thing in general that the book focuses on. And flowers. They play an important role.)
As a whole I liked this book. I liked it what it did with some very heavy themes - though especially in the beginning the domestic violence stuff is difficult to stomach and really should come with a trigger warning. I liked how this dealt with loss and recovery, finding your footing and place in the world. I liked the focus on flowers, actually learnt a few things. What I do wish is that the supporting characters had been fleshed out more. Not just Alice's grandma, but the women living at the farm, Alice's coworkers, because there definitely seemed to be some interesting personalities. I also wish the story didn't take the history repeats itself route, at least not to the extent it did.
The ending felt a little rushed, too much of a "need to get everyone a happy ending/closure" thing. Ringland writes well, does an excellent job describing things such as the flowers and outdoors scenery. This maybe wasn't the most original story in the world, but I did find myself read closer to 100 pages in the evening so there was something that pulled me in and made me keep going. ...more
This was on OK read. The topic and premise were probably more interesting than the final product, but it did tell me about something I had never come This was on OK read. The topic and premise were probably more interesting than the final product, but it did tell me about something I had never come across anywhere else. Didn't really connect with any of the characters (there were so many of them...) and at times it felt like this dragged on and was long just for the sake of being long. But if WWII and the aftermath are your thing, you might enjoy this. ...more
Saying once you've read one Lester book, you've read them all could be a complaint, but to me it's a good thing. Knowing roughly what's about to come Saying once you've read one Lester book, you've read them all could be a complaint, but to me it's a good thing. Knowing roughly what's about to come is great when you need something easy-ish in the middle of a hectic life. This is set in WWII and modern day, and of course the stories in both time periods are connected. I liked the historical setting, though the women flying planes during war -thing reminded me a bit too much of Kate Quinn's "The Huntress" (which I loved, so sadly this didn't quite live up to my expectations). The relationship between the Penrose sisters was my favourite thing - the animosity, the wanting to understand each other but not quite managing it, the betrayal. There was a lot and I could have easily ditched the romance plot to get both of their points of view. I think my biggest complaint is that the ending was a bit rushed, what seemed like one of the most interesting parts was condensed into a few pages even though it defined more than one life. The modern day storyline was predictable, though I enjoyed the descriptions of the dresses a lot....more
Given this is sold as a crime novel, there is very little crime going on. This is more of a family saga, a character study than something with a lot oGiven this is sold as a crime novel, there is very little crime going on. This is more of a family saga, a character study than something with a lot of suspense. And it works, against all odds I think. The Australian outback is a brilliant setting (if a bit hard to grasp as a European), providing the isolation this story grows from. The characters seemed fairly well-rounded, especially Nathan, the protagonist. His struggles and thoughts felt real, as did his actions.
There isn't all that much happening until during the last 100 pages or so, but the story still manages to keep your attention. You want to know the background, you want to know what did or did not happen and why. The big reveal, when it comes, is actually both credible and unbelievable. And I think that's why this book works. That and Harper's wonderful writing of course. ...more
Rosan Ankka-tarinat ovat ehdottomasti suosikkejani ja tämä taisi olla ensimmäinen kerta, kun luin kerralla putkeen kaikki nämä Roopen elämästä kertovaRosan Ankka-tarinat ovat ehdottomasti suosikkejani ja tämä taisi olla ensimmäinen kerta, kun luin kerralla putkeen kaikki nämä Roopen elämästä kertovat tarinat. Ja näinhän ne pitäisi lukea, koko kehityskaari tulee mahtavasti näkyviin. Yritteliäästä pojasta epäonnistumisten kautta voittoihin ja rikkauksiin, mutta myös äreäksi ja katkeroituneeksi vanhukseksi. Ja toki mukana ovat kaikki viholliset, mikä tuo tarinoihin oman pikantin lisänsä. Viimeisimpiä tarinoita oli ehkä ankein lukea, kun Roope on rikas ja mikään tai kukaan muu ei enää kiinnosta. Tässä painoksessa ovat mukana myös lisätarinat, jotka taas antavat Roopesta hyvin erilaisen kuvan: huimia seikkailuita kokenut vanha ankka, jonka tarinat jaksavat kiehtoa sukulaispoikia. Ja ehkä Roopekin ymmärtää, mikä elämässä oikeastaan on tärkeintä. Mukana myös oma suosikkini Unelmoiden läpi elämän! ...more
This was a decent and fast read, but not as good as I had hoped it to be. Maybe I was expecting a bit too much because "The Dry" was really good. ThatThis was a decent and fast read, but not as good as I had hoped it to be. Maybe I was expecting a bit too much because "The Dry" was really good. That being said, this wasn't bad, just... maybe a bit flat.
Two groups, one of 5 women and one of 5 men (all working for the same company) go out on a weekend hike. Only 4 of the women return. The story tries to find out what happened to the woman who doesn't come back. This runs in two different timelines, one in present day and one a few days earlier, mapping the disastrous hike of the women. At times this is a good thing, but the way the past timeline works to include all the 5 women makes it somewhat cluttered. And honestly, the characters weren't interesting enough to warrant random chapters detailing their past in a way that didn't bring any substance to the story. Maybe sticking to just one of the women would have worked better. The point of view of Falk in present day works better, even if it's surprisingly far from what you'd expect from a typical crime novel. Then again, he works with white-collar crime, not homicides.
Without spoiling the plot, I have to say the big reveal was quite anti-climatic - you could see it coming several pages before it happened. And the reasons were, I don't know, not all that believable in the end. Plus, how boring it is in the year 2020 to read yet another crime book where 1) the missing one is a woman and 2) women are against each other instead of supporting one another?
So yeah, this didn't live up to my expectations, mostly because there were too many elements in the plot. This wasn't bad and I did read it in less than two days, so there clearly was something that kept me hooked. And I'm definitely reading more of Harper's novels, because there is still something about her stuff that keeps me interested. ...more
3.5 stars, but rounding up for a few reason. Reason 1: this doesn't go through the death of Papa Salt and the girls finding out again. It did get a bi3.5 stars, but rounding up for a few reason. Reason 1: this doesn't go through the death of Papa Salt and the girls finding out again. It did get a bit repetitive by the 3rd book, so it was nice this started off completely different. It does mean this doesn't work as a stand-alone, but I don't think that many people read these out of order anyway.
Reason 2: This isn't as awfully heteronormative as the previous books which is a very nice and much awaited change.
However, as far as the plot and main story goes, this isn't as strong as the previous books. Maybe it's because by now you know how the story is built and can guess the main twists. At least that was the case for me, as I found the historical story pretty predictable. It didn't bother me too much, but I found myself enjoying the present day story more.
This wasn't my favourite of the series despite probably getting the best rating. I did like the way Ce's problems with reading and writing were depicted, they felt authentic. Maybe a bit uneven as a whole, but fans of this series will enjoy this installment too. ...more
This was a wonderfully great crime novel. I took it with me to read on the train and ended up devouring about half of it during the ride - and if a boThis was a wonderfully great crime novel. I took it with me to read on the train and ended up devouring about half of it during the ride - and if a book manages to keep me interested while I'm half-awake in the early morning, you know it's good.
I love the atmosphere, you can feel the awful heat and dryness, the desperation that it all brings with it. This manages to be a great depiction of a small town and small town folks while also building a strong plot around a death of a family. And while you know the death isn't what it seems like, it's not an action packed police procedure and a lonely hero solving everything. Yes, there are about 3 cops in this story at best, but they work together, they share information, they know they can't solve things alone (most of the time at least) and that's refreshing.
The characters might seem a bit stereotypical, but then, if you know small towns, you know people like them exist. Falk, the main character isn't your typical crime novel main character and I found myself liking that a lot. I also like that there was a good bunch of rounded and well-developed characters with backgrounds and all.
The weakest part was the story in the past, with flashbacks that towards the end took over the story. While it was an interesting sideplot and brought substance to the story, it would have worked better if it was all from one point of view instead of from so many points of view. It felt a bit weird having characters who weren't even alive tell what their life was like.
As a whole this is among the best reads of the year so far and a good addition to the genre. ...more
I think I had too high expectations for this book. I had heard so much good about it and I really wanted it to live up to the hype and be good. But saI think I had too high expectations for this book. I had heard so much good about it and I really wanted it to live up to the hype and be good. But sadly it wasn't. I'm not saying it wasn't good, it just wasn't as good as I wanted it to be.
I love the idea. Tom, aging at a snail's pace and having lived for centuries already, having to change locations and, in a way, life on a regular basis. There is so much potential in that setting, but in the end we get very little of it. What we get more is a love story. And I don't hate love stories, but it didn't carry the story like it was supposed to. Most of it was pretty standard, lacking surprises, and taking up a lot of pages. Maybe it's because I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction I didn't like the old London/England stuff. Sure, the name dropping of famous people was nice, but...
I quite liked the ending though, with other people acting for their own good. But yeah, while this was a fast read (thanks to the very short chapters) and I read big chunks at a time, it didn't impress me that much. Some enjoyable and fun moments, but take away the "time traveling" and it's a very typical love story. ...more
Didn't have any expectations (this is one of those books I picked up because the cover is pretty...) so I guess in the end I was more pleasantly surprDidn't have any expectations (this is one of those books I picked up because the cover is pretty...) so I guess in the end I was more pleasantly surprised. This tells two stories, both of the same person, and it took me a while to understand the structure and backwards chronology in the other. I feel like I actually liked the backstory more, even if the root of it turned out to be nothing too special. The story in 'current' time is fine, but it just throws a mystery (not in the thriller sense, more in the sense of "something is killing sheep and the main character wants to find out who or what" - a storyline which never actually gets a conclusion, which is why I liked it less) our way and doesn't answer any questions. So if you like novels with vague to no answers with lovely language and of somewhat out of the ordinary topics, then this is for you. ...more
As the rating says, this book was ok. I started it with hopes that it would be good, but after 200 or so pages decided it wasn't going to get better tAs the rating says, this book was ok. I started it with hopes that it would be good, but after 200 or so pages decided it wasn't going to get better than ok. See, the premise is great. Alice has an accident and hits her head and forgets the past 10 years. Going from there, it's funny in the beginning, how she doesn't remember a thing, how certain things come as a shock when she re-learns them, but halfway into the story it stops working. Mostly because you start to wait when she starts to remember things, how everything goes after that happens. But it all comes up very late, and there aren't any interesting developments that come with it. I get it that books like this are supposed to have a happy ending, but I would've preferred a realistic one here. Or maybe I just can't relate because I'm not 40-something with kids and a whole family to run. ...more
Well, turns out this book was nothing like I expected. The ending was a total curveball, foreshadowed by literally every single thing before, and I diWell, turns out this book was nothing like I expected. The ending was a total curveball, foreshadowed by literally every single thing before, and I did not see it coming. It's been a while since a book has managed to surprise me like this one did. Loved all the philosophical references and talk, and how seamlessly it all it fit into the story. Kind of feel like that if I read this again now, knowing the ending, this would be a completely different book and I'd pay attention to completely different things. Such a great reading experience. ...more
I feel like I really have nothing to say about this book. So yes, I liked it well enough to finish it, but didn't really root for any of the characterI feel like I really have nothing to say about this book. So yes, I liked it well enough to finish it, but didn't really root for any of the characters. Yes, there is a nice array of characters, and some of them even grow during the story, but maybe I'm too young to feel connected to any of them and was only interested in seeing how things would end up being. I liked the beginning a lot more than the end, with the little suspense around the letter and people learning things they necessarily wouldn't have liked to. The end on the other hand, with everyone being more or less happily ever after was a bit too sugary. I do like the aspect of love in the story, how it manifests itself in many different ways and how it is, in the end, stronger than anything else. ...more
I have a difficult relationship with historical fiction - I very rarely find anything I feel like reading, let alone finishing. This book, however, caI have a difficult relationship with historical fiction - I very rarely find anything I feel like reading, let alone finishing. This book, however, caught my interest when I found out it's set in New Zealand, a country I've been fascinated with since I was a kid. I didn't have high expectations, I was actually intimidated by the 800+ pages. But! This book turned out to be great! Yes, it has weak points, especially towards the end when everything for some reason needs to be peachy and rainbows and sunshine, and at times it gets boring to read about trees and sheep and horses and more sheep. That being said, the positive outweigh the negative. The main story arc seems plausible, the way the author has decided to put some characters aside for a while and focus on others and their stories works - especially since it makes you wonder what the others do in the meanwhile - and it's interesting to read how the farms and stations and cities and towns develop. The best part of this book are the characters though. Yes, there are plenty of them and it takes a while to get on track with them all, but once you do it's easy to follow everyone's story. Helen and Gwyn start out as the main characters and are the forces that build this story. The men of this book are very, well, stereotypical most of the time, but it didn't bother me because the women were great. Sure, it's kind of hard to believe they would all have the kind of fates they have, but it's not impossible to see either. Strong women in time when men ruled the world (at least according to official history books)? Yes please, sign me up for more. ...more
I picked this up because it was recommended and seemed like a nice and quick read. That it was, but I do not think it as the greatest thing since slicI picked this up because it was recommended and seemed like a nice and quick read. That it was, but I do not think it as the greatest thing since sliced bread like so many others seem to. Yes, it was funny. Yes, it was charming. Yes, it had some excellent moments. Yes, the characters were stereotypes with twists. Yes, the main idea carried until the end. Yes, if you're looking for a romantic comedy in book form this is it. Yet there was something lacking. Maybe it was how Don learnt new things so easily, or how Rosie was not what you were supposed to expect she is. Maybe it was the fact that it was just a tad too clichéd. I enjoyed reading it, and it was fun, but it's not something I'd read again multiple times. Or even once really. Good, but not as amazing as everyone made it out to be. ...more
This is something I'd wanted to read for a while, and Christmas was the perfect time to pick up the book from my mum's bookshelf and lose myself in thThis is something I'd wanted to read for a while, and Christmas was the perfect time to pick up the book from my mum's bookshelf and lose myself in the story. It's a very Morton-like story, in the sense that if you've ever read any of her books, you know how the story is going to unfold. However, I liked that in this book, knowing that there are going to be twists and turns and waiting for them to happen. The story did get going quite slowly, and in a way I would have liked to read more about Nell's young adult years, what happened when she was told something she did not expect. Cassandra was a nice character, and her little detective work is what made the story work. I was not too into Eliza, can't even really explain why, because I did like reading about her and Rose and their lives. The only thing I did not guess right towards the end was Linus' part, I thought he might have had a different kind of role from what he had in the end. Not too disappointed about that though. All in all, this book was a wonderful, captivating story and if you're into novels that have interesting characters having adventures at different times of the past century or so, this could very well be the book for you. ...more
I'm not sure whether to give this 3 or 4 stars, I feel like the actual rating would probably be 3.5. There were parts of this book that I loved: all tI'm not sure whether to give this 3 or 4 stars, I feel like the actual rating would probably be 3.5. There were parts of this book that I loved: all the descriptions of life on the island and the lighthouse, those little snippets of Tom's past life and mentions of WWI, certain details that were gorgeous. As a whole, though, the story was somewhat predictable and while it could've been heart-wrenching I couldn't entirely relate to any of the characters. At times the minor characters felt more interesting than the main ones. The story flowed well and the book was easy to read, but somehow I would've liked it if the ending had been somehow different. Maybe not to include that jump 30 years into the future, maybe let us know how Lucy-Grace finally learnt to live with all the changes that happened in her life. A good first novel and for someone who has been in love with Australia for the better part of her life, this was such a wonderful read. And timely, what with it being set to a few years after WWI and the ghosts of that time still haunting people. ...more
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