Plot: ★★★★★ Characters: ★★★★☆ Writing: ★★★★★ Concept: ★★★★★ Vibes (can't explain this one, you just feel it): ★★★"The curtain rises. And so it begins."
Plot: ★★★★★ Characters: ★★★★☆ Writing: ★★★★★ Concept: ★★★★★ Vibes (can't explain this one, you just feel it): ★★★★☆
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of The Fury.
I am so impressed by Mr. Michaelides. But what's new?
If you're a thriller fan, or a Michaelides fan, this is unequivocally the book for you. Do not be fooled by the synopsis of it being about an ex-movie star. In the end, it truly does not matter one little tiny bit that anybody in the story is famous. It is not romanticizing fame and stardom. If anything, it makes me feel quite grateful to be an average, unknown individual.
The Fury is, at its core, a modern-day, wildly convoluted, slightly perverse, Agatha Christie mystery, with more twists and turns than you can ever guess. And I don't say that lightly. I have read so many thrillers that very little surprises me anymore. Well, this surprised the pants right off of me. (Yes, I did guess Major Plot Twist #1, but that matters little when Michaelides included a handful more that I never could have gotten.)
Did I like this book as much as his first two? Now, that is a fantastic question I do not have an answer to. I like them all in their own way. I think that is the best way to describe his stories. Each has their own wit, charm, and set of dynamic (often crazy) characters, and therefore, it is very difficult to compare them.
That being said, I cannot recommend this book enough. It is everything I hoped for and more. That's why I read it in about two days, as a super slow reader. I am so excited for Michaelides' next story, and I really hope he continues to put out these absolutely wonderful, meaningful thrillers.
Percy Jackson and the Chalice of the Gods? More like Percy Jackson and the 268 Pages of Me Crying.
I do not exaggerate when I say this is one of the most special books I've read this year. If you're looking for a heartwarming story and what could be (but likely is not yet) a perfect conclusion to a wonderful series, then look no further. This tugged at a whole new kind of heartstrings for me.
The Chalice of the Gods tackled a topic that I think is often overlooked in literature made for kids and young adults: the idea of embracing aging and loving yourself throughout your various stages of life. This is such a special topic to me because it is a bit rare and certainly not something I ever expected to see within a Percy Jackson story.
So for that reason, this is one of the easiest five star ratings I've ever given. I am so grateful I picked up this book. Even if I didn't love every one of its predecessors, this sixth installation in the series made my many hours of reading worth it. Thank you, Rick Riordan.
"I would like to think it is possible to be strong without also being cruel."
Oh, where do I even begin?
This was such a lovely story, from page 1 to"I would like to think it is possible to be strong without also being cruel."
Oh, where do I even begin?
This was such a lovely story, from page 1 to the bitter end. Full of pain, struggle, triumph, and defeat, Katherine J. Chen truly draws on every human emotion with this book.
As someone who knows of Joan of Arc, but doesn't necessarily know her well, this was an absolutely beautiful (and understandable) account of her story. I am very interested in history so this was an easy read for me, but I think the way that Joan is written makes it entirely possible to love it even if you aren't a history buff, or even history buff-adjacent.
Joan is one of the most incredible women I have ever read of. Her strength, her intelligence, her resilience, her admittance when something eats away at her, her love for her family and animals, her complete apathy for any type of romance, and her steadfastness in her beliefs... Joan is on another level I fear most of us will never truly comprehend.
This is what I deem a "perfect book," in a category with very few. It is one of those books that makes me feel changed in some miniscule but unforgettable way. It is a story for the ages, and a story that women desperately need in their lives.
*Content Warning: Rape, described in full, from the rapist's point of view.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I could say I don't k*Content Warning: Rape, described in full, from the rapist's point of view.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I could say I don't know what it is about this book that rubs me the wrong way, but that would be a lie. And it all starts with that content warning.
As a woman, maybe that makes me a little more sensitive to how the issue of rape is depicted and described. Maybe it makes me a lot more sensitive. Regardless, the way that sexual assault was depicted in this book gave me a very icky feeling inside.
Rape is obviously a very sensitive topic and should be approached as such, and I don't at all enjoy the way that the very first rape in the book was graphically described from the perpetrator's point of view. I have no doubt that the author thought this would be a creative way to go. I personally found it gross, and it made it difficult for me to get motivated to read past the first chapter.
Beyond this issue, the writing style is very utilitarian, very straightforward, and very much like a typical crime novel. I guess this just didn't do much for me, since I think a story that focuses on rape should focus more on the victim's emotions rather than just the male policeman and how the victim loves her new boyfriend. There is more to women than the men they know!
If the author was a man, maybe I would understand this odd approach to the story, but as a fellow woman, I'm a little disappointed. Sadly, this was just not the book for me.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an advance copy of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review.
Let me begin by telling you: it reallThank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an advance copy of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review.
Let me begin by telling you: it really is a lovely book. This is a great story for anyone looking for a fairly lighthearted mystery. As a thriller reader myself, I typically look for grittier, more intense stories, but it turns out this was the perfect change of pace for me after a long line of high-anxiety reads.
One of the aspects of Penryth Hall that I particularly enjoy is the simple writing style. It makes for very easy reading, which matches the genre of--dare I say--a cozy mystery very nicely. Now, perhaps that is an incorrect genre for this story: a cozy mystery. (I wouldn't know. I don't read them.) But that is what it feels like. A fun little fall/winter mystery book you won't want to put down.
Ruby Vaughn is very much the stereotypical "quirky, not-like-the-other-girls" main character, but those traits are not played up enough for it to be a bother. She is very run of the mill, but that also means she fits into the plot seamlessly.
Also, for my fellow readers who do not like overly/plentiful/gratuitous sexual content, I am pleased to announce that there is none. Hoorah! We win!
There is just so much to enjoy here if you're looking for a light read. I would definitely recommend it. Just don't be expecting something too serious. (Might I also add, it was a delight to read a story with a cat who is always just hanging around. I find very few stories, outside of my own, where that is the case, and it honestly adds a whole start on to my review. Thank you, Jess Armstrong, for the feline rep!)
I would love to say this was the fun, gripping thriller it was advertised as, but the truth is much more mundane than that.
The very first chapter of tI would love to say this was the fun, gripping thriller it was advertised as, but the truth is much more mundane than that.
The very first chapter of the story begins with an admittedly sort of funny rant about women hating her body hair because of men and how the patriarchy sucks and she is such an anti-feminist for utilizing hair removal devices... blah, blah, blah... In case you're wondering, the rest of the book doesn't get a whole lot more interesting.
As a big fan of thrillers, this was a disappointment. I am not anti-feminist or pro-patriarchy. I just think Perfect Little Lives skirted a little too close to being named Annoying Little Complainers....more
Sweet baby Jesus, was this a good one, y'all (spoken in a Southern accent to match the book's vibe).
Thank you to NetGalley the book's publisher for providing me with this ARC, even though I read it painfully late.
This was one magical story, and I do not say those words lightly. June Farrow is a book I shall not soon forget. From the perfectly crafted characters to the plot that drew me in in an instant and held my attention, this could not have been a more enjoyable read.
I do not often read women's fiction, but I have been getting more into it lately, and this story is a perfect example of why it is so important. Some stories are not merely stories of humankind but stories that perfectly encapsule the female experience. That's what this is: a celebration of motherhood, a deep-dive into a mind seemingly going mad, and a beautiful message to top it all off--we choose our own fates.
Brava, Adrienne Young. I will remember June Farrow forever.
Thank you, NetGalley, for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well, honestly, that was underwhelming.
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While I don't hate this bThank you, NetGalley, for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well, honestly, that was underwhelming.
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While I don't hate this book, I don't have much good to say about it either. I am a big fan of thrillers and crime novels, which meant requesting this ARC was a no-brainer.
If you are someone who likes a cut-and-dry crime novel with very little mystery, then this may be the book for you. Unfortunately, it was a little disappointing for my taste.
Most of the story comprised of speculation by the main character about who may have committed the crime, but without any real evidence. Full chapters are filled with speculation based on imagined situations between the characters, rather than on what the MC, a cop, actually can deduce from the facts.
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My second problem with this book is the fact that the male-written female MC is so obsessed with thinking about sex (e.g. "sex is always the motive," "i don't have real relationships, just random sex," "this person's sexuality must have something to do with the murders"). And this stuff is mentioned over and over and over.
Then, there is the (also female) best friend whose only personality traits are physically clinging to her husband and making crude sexual jokes. Are there women like this out there? Of course! But certainly not every one. And the fact that a man is portraying the only important women in the story in this fashion gives me an indescribable amount of ick.
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Finally, and most upsetting for me, is the lackluster ending. We find out the killer way too early, and then there is no twist, just a painfully long chase and an explanation that I don't really care about at all.
I really wanted to like this. I really want to like every book I read. I don't read to hate, but this was not at all my cup of tea. I wish better luck upon my fellow readers.
Alright, it's about time I'm honest and tell you this book didn't quite do it for me. Not that it was bad, but it threw a lot of things I don't like tAlright, it's about time I'm honest and tell you this book didn't quite do it for me. Not that it was bad, but it threw a lot of things I don't like together and then said "ta da!" and expected five stars because of the pretty prose. Um... sorry but no.
Am I hater? Of this book, absolutely not. That's why I gave it three stars and not the single, begrudging star I give to books that truly give me the ick. I do, however, think it is a story that could have been amazing, but instead turned into a very creepy, gropey romance with a very gross man-god-darkness-person.
Yes, my friends, this was a surprise(!) enemies to lovers of the oddest sort, and I was not overly pleased. I am so personally grossed out by men who touch women without their permission. I don't care if he's hot. I don't care if he's morally gray. It turned me off big time.
The writing, itself, was very nice. I can tell Schwab is a creative individual who doesn't follow prose cliches; her style is very unique, and I love that. I also enjoyed what I believed would be the main story: a girl who can never be remembered, and who lives practically forever, navigating her difficult life.
Those two parts are incredible. The romantic aspects... kinda yucky, if you ask me.
What does Riley Sager lace his books with? Because I am addicted.
This is easily my most entrancing, unputdownable read of 2023. I simply cannot geWhat does Riley Sager lace his books with? Because I am addicted.
This is easily my most entrancing, unputdownable read of 2023. I simply cannot get enough.
I am a thriller girl, through and through, and even more than that, I am a Riley Sager girl. When I saw he had a new book on the way, I put myself on the library hold list (poor person problems). And I was very first in line.
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As it turns out, the library created a new listing for it and didn't move my name to the new listing so here I am, reading this book a wee bit (over three months) late. That being said, the library confusion was well worth it. The Only One Left exceeded my expectations in so many ways.
First, there is the crafting of the female MC, often a struggle, even more often a struggle for male authors. This is one of the areas where I am most impressed with Sager's handiwork. Not only does he write a believable woman, a realistic woman...
He writes a compelling one. I found myself rooting for Kit even when I didn't agree with her, even when I thought she was a little stupid, even when she was frustrating me. I still rooted for her, because she felt so real and possessed that oft-missed quality in main character's that makes me want them to win their battles. That is pure genius-level writing.
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Next is the juicy part of the story--the plot, the action, and the mystery. Which in this particular book was absolutely mind-boggling. To say my jaw is on the floor would be an understatement. I began this book expecting to be surprised. After I guessed two of the smaller twists, I felt briefly disappointed. After I guessed a third, this one being a major twist, I entered a low level of despair, fearing this may be the end of the Riley Sager I've come to know and love, the one who writes plot twists that send me reeling.
Fortunately, the next twist, and the one after that, and the one after that, were absolute shocks to the system. Like totally unguessable. By the end, I had to shut the book, stare at the ceiling, and process everything I had just (mentally) witnessed. What a wild ride.
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Needless to say, this is very easily my favorite Riley Sager book, and one of the absolute best thrillers I have ever read. I am so impressed by Sager's story-writing and his seemingly endless imagination, with twists and turns galore. He keeps my thriller girl heart so happy.
Let me make this very clear. I depise Violet. But the last 20% or so of this book is so many leagues above the rest in teSecond try, January 26, 2024:
Let me make this very clear. I depise Violet. But the last 20% or so of this book is so many leagues above the rest in terms of writing and story, that I have to rethink and be fair in my rating. And I feel it is only fair to give it a 2.5/5.
It is not at all my kind of book. I am a fantasy girl, not a romantasy girl. But the action in this story absolutely did it for me in the end. I hate that I can’t rate in half stars on here because I either look too happy about it or not happy enough.
But 2.5 is where it is for me. Not my cup of tea. Not entirely unlovable (except for the stupid MC).
And the very last few lines? So awesome.
If you’re a romantasy lover, I totally see this being your thing. If you like the parts of the story and world that aren’t about sex… maybe you’ll feel a bit more like me.
Proceed at your own risk, but it turns out I am glad I finished this one. :)
First try, 2023:
DNF at 72%. I just can't do it.
It breaks my heart to say this, since I wanted to like this book so badly, but I just did not. At all. The romance didn't do it for me. All the "Holy. Fuckin. Hot." and other similar reactions to shirtless men, and the like, just hit me as very... strange and inserted at the wrong moments. I'm happy to see it was so enjoyable for a lot of you here, but I just couldn't get through it myself.
On the other hand, the action parts are pretty cool. I'd like to pick it up again someday and see if my feelings change.
It's been a little while since I've read a thriller I like this much. From the charismatic MC, to the twists, to the ending of the story, I was enthraIt's been a little while since I've read a thriller I like this much. From the charismatic MC, to the twists, to the ending of the story, I was enthralled.
I am a thriller lover, through and through, and though I am not very particular about which thrillers I will pick up, I am very particular about which ones I rate five stars. From the very first page, Willingham had my attention and never lost it. She represented physical and mental issues in a respectful and meaningful way. This book is more than just a mystery and a sequence of crazy twists, though it included all of that and more. It is also a think piece on motherhood, the good and the bad.
As I mentioned in (I believe) my Circe review, there are very few characters that I enjoy more than well-written, compelling mothers. They are not always included in fiction, especially in thrillers, unless they are only there to serve as a one-dimensional villain. Without spoiling anything, I can say that I loved the way the mothers were portrayed in All the Dangerous Things. I think it brings a new light to women who have never had children of their own, and overall, I just think it's a brilliantly executed story.
I have very mixed feelings on this book. On the one hand, there were some interesting twists and things that made it the kind of thriller I like to reI have very mixed feelings on this book. On the one hand, there were some interesting twists and things that made it the kind of thriller I like to read. On the other hand, there was quite a bit of predictability that just didn't vibe with me. It's sort of split down the center for me: the first half of the story was very enjoyable; the second half, I could have done without.
Here I am, with another Darcy Coates book, sitting down to write yet another review where I just... don't quite know what to say.
Did I like the book? Yes. Was it objectively well written, following a spectacular storyline? Well, kind of.
I am a very subjective book rater, meaning that when I like (or dislike) a story, I figure it is for reasons all my own (how I interpret the book), and not because the book is definitively good or bad. I think that is a good way to describe why I am giving Gillespie House four out of five stars.
There wasn't much mystery for me, as those parts were pretty quashed by the spoiler-filled synopsis on the back cover. I also just guessed key plot points a lot more quickly than they were revealed in the story. I don't know if the reader was meant to do this, but I read it more as solely a horror story than a mystery, even though it was perhaps meant to be both.
On the other hand, I enjoy Coates' simple but effective writing style. She isn't overly poetic. She is straightforward, and for this genre, I think that style works to her advantage. While horror can be made scarier and more gruesome with fanciful language, it can be just as bone-chilling in plain language, when the characters and plot are effective enough (as they are here).
Another thing I particularly enjoy about Coates' stories are that she always creates a haunting, vivid setting. That is a factor I often see overlooked in literature, but Gillespie House, along with her other stories, perfectly set up the creepy feeling I look for when starting a horror story.
Note: If you are not a fan of characters who talk out loud to themselves, this is not the book for you. It didn't bother me, but it was quite noticeable and I know that can be a pet peeve for some.
I DNFed this at about 70%, which is something I hate to do, but this book really got on my nerves. The sexualization of minors was so creepy. The charI DNFed this at about 70%, which is something I hate to do, but this book really got on my nerves. The sexualization of minors was so creepy. The characters were so unrelatable and, for me, so unlikeable. The whole story gave me the ickiest feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I expected much better after I so thoroughly enjoyed Gone Girl.
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