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foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
One sentence review: Unlikeable characters, gothic vibes, and page turning reveals.
Hal has money troubles after her mom passes is faced with a threatening loan shark shaking her down for funds she doesn’t have. When suddenly, she receives notice of a mysterious inheritance from a grandmother she doesn’t know. She scrounges herself together and flees to Brighton to learn more, but didn’t expect to have to deal with family tensions, secrets and threats when she arrived…
A popcorn thriller that will ultimately be forgettable to me. I liked the tarot elements, which added in some interesting omens and foreboding. I also enjoyed Maggie’s diary entries. This was probably the most gothic and atmospheric part of the whole book, I could feel the sun on my skin during the lake scenes.
But what I couldn’t stand was the main character Hal. She just seemed so wimpy and clueless throughout the book. The way she was characterized made me feel like I was reading a book much older than it actually was.
Overall, not my favourite of Ruth Ware’s works but still worth the read for those gothic vibes and twisty mystery that I didn’t expect!
Hal has money troubles after her mom passes is faced with a threatening loan shark shaking her down for funds she doesn’t have. When suddenly, she receives notice of a mysterious inheritance from a grandmother she doesn’t know. She scrounges herself together and flees to Brighton to learn more, but didn’t expect to have to deal with family tensions, secrets and threats when she arrived…
A popcorn thriller that will ultimately be forgettable to me. I liked the tarot elements, which added in some interesting omens and foreboding. I also enjoyed Maggie’s diary entries. This was probably the most gothic and atmospheric part of the whole book, I could feel the sun on my skin during the lake scenes.
But what I couldn’t stand was the main character Hal. She just seemed so wimpy and clueless throughout the book. The way she was characterized made me feel like I was reading a book much older than it actually was.
Overall, not my favourite of Ruth Ware’s works but still worth the read for those gothic vibes and twisty mystery that I didn’t expect!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Car accident, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content
rochelleisreading's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit
growintogardens's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I figured most of it out, but I enjoyed it and liked Hal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Pregnancy