ammey68's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
madiroset's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Maybe not the best book ever written but worth the read for the twists and the historical accuracy/interests!
emperorcupcake's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. It's not even the middle of January but I can safely say this will be one of my faves of the year. This isn't just a thriller or a mystery, it's a whole story about a family, time, and place that was fascinating, heart-wrenching, and gut-punching. I was nowhere else when I was reading this, and there was nowhere else I wanted to be, even when it was hard to look at. I don't usually seek out historical fiction, but I'd love to read more like this. And what a gorgeous cover!!
Many thanks to the Sleep When I'm Dead book club for putting this on my radar!
Many thanks to the Sleep When I'm Dead book club for putting this on my radar!
roxlastewka's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
4.0
3.5-4 stars, the reviews are true, this is a super slow burn. So much so that the first 100+ pages were kind if painful. Yes, we needed that for character development, and to hook us to the plot, but very very slowly done. Attention to detail is above and beyond here. But, but, this is a unique story, and worth taking the time to delve into this world and those who inhabit it.
danaegm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Really slow burn; I almost abandoned it. But then the last 2-3 hours or so I could barely stop listening! Glad I stayed.
princessleia4life's review against another edition
5.0
Was extremely good. Captured my interest and I did not want to put it down. A great mystery with fantastic characters.
gareindeedreads's review against another edition
5.0
I want to preface this review with a little bit of information on my relationship with Touchstone Books as a reader and blogger. Being an avid fan of the mystery, thriller, and suspense genre, I am always looking for something unique that goes off the trail a little bit compared to most titles in that genre. Over the past year, I have had the experience of finding those titles within Touchstone's catalog. They truly have a knack for finding novels that have interesting, well-developed, and brilliant plots. THE GLASS FOREST by Cynthia Swanson is a prime example of the kind of novel you can find by being a fan of Touchstone Books. And what a fan I am.
THE GLASS FOREST is a beautifully constructed, chillingly atmospheric, and heartfelt novel that takes place in the 1960s. Now, as someone born in 1987, I usually stick to novels that take place during this era as I cannot imagine nor relate to many plots that take place prior to the 80s. Well, Cynthia Swanson captured me with this novel and held me hostage until the novels emotional and intensely charged brutal epilogue. The thing I enjoyed about this was Swanson's ability as a writer to not only blend together a unique plot, but throw in a multitude of wonderfully written characters, and combine it with a strong prose that is not only gripping but dangerously addictive.
I cannot say enough wonderful things about this novel. I loved the different perspectives of the three females that are tightly wound together in this plot full of secrets, suspense, and plenty of twists and turns sprinkled throughout a dazzling story. The timeline within this novel is extremely effective as you kind of go back to the roots of a mystery novel by not having technology and forensics get in the way of the intensity of these characters, their actions, and the secrets they all hold...together and separately.
The pacing within this novel is not only impressive, but effective with telling the story. At times, one characters perspective is just adding to the story and within the flip of a page, my stomach was filled with knots as this intense story was forming quickly and engulfing me as a reader. I could not get enough and I am so glad I had the chance to read this in one sitting...I would have been under extreme duress having to put it down.
This novel is not only perfect for fans of thrillers and suspense, but even for readers who are looking for step into the genre without too much violence. Part suspense, part character study, part luminous literary fiction, this one is not one you want to miss. I honestly think this is the perfect novel for any reader, especially if you're looking for something distinctive, especially for a bookclub. And by all means, read it because I would LOVE to have more GLASS FOREST fans to chat with about this one...I don't think I'll be ready to stop talking about this one anytime soon.
*Special thanks to Touchstone Books for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review....and for always providing me with the types of novels that make me overjoyed to be a book blogger.
THE GLASS FOREST is a beautifully constructed, chillingly atmospheric, and heartfelt novel that takes place in the 1960s. Now, as someone born in 1987, I usually stick to novels that take place during this era as I cannot imagine nor relate to many plots that take place prior to the 80s. Well, Cynthia Swanson captured me with this novel and held me hostage until the novels emotional and intensely charged brutal epilogue. The thing I enjoyed about this was Swanson's ability as a writer to not only blend together a unique plot, but throw in a multitude of wonderfully written characters, and combine it with a strong prose that is not only gripping but dangerously addictive.
I cannot say enough wonderful things about this novel. I loved the different perspectives of the three females that are tightly wound together in this plot full of secrets, suspense, and plenty of twists and turns sprinkled throughout a dazzling story. The timeline within this novel is extremely effective as you kind of go back to the roots of a mystery novel by not having technology and forensics get in the way of the intensity of these characters, their actions, and the secrets they all hold...together and separately.
The pacing within this novel is not only impressive, but effective with telling the story. At times, one characters perspective is just adding to the story and within the flip of a page, my stomach was filled with knots as this intense story was forming quickly and engulfing me as a reader. I could not get enough and I am so glad I had the chance to read this in one sitting...I would have been under extreme duress having to put it down.
This novel is not only perfect for fans of thrillers and suspense, but even for readers who are looking for step into the genre without too much violence. Part suspense, part character study, part luminous literary fiction, this one is not one you want to miss. I honestly think this is the perfect novel for any reader, especially if you're looking for something distinctive, especially for a bookclub. And by all means, read it because I would LOVE to have more GLASS FOREST fans to chat with about this one...I don't think I'll be ready to stop talking about this one anytime soon.
*Special thanks to Touchstone Books for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review....and for always providing me with the types of novels that make me overjoyed to be a book blogger.