The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
mariewithabook's review against another edition
5.0
Michael grant did not disappoint!
hannahreadsadec5's review against another edition
4.0
I've read two other books by Michael Grant, and I can honestly say that this is my favorite. Sure, it could just be that I prefer creepy boys who put people through fear trials to creepy boys with whip hands, but that's beside the point. I sped through this entire book in about an hour, barely stopping to think about one thing before jumping on, and the cool thing was, the writing style leant itself to that type of reading. This is one of those books that you read in one sitting, and it makes you think about it days after reading.
The summary for this book is one where if I say a single wrong word, I will spoil the whole thing, so in an effort not to do that, I will have to be as brief a possible: A girl wakes up in a pool of fog with just one memory: her name is Mara. She wants nothing more than to remember what happened and go home, but soon after meeting the Messenger, she finds that she might not want to know who she is, and exactly what she has done. Instead of regaining memories, she if forced to make new ones in a life she does not want to live, and through this, Mara realizes that wickedness can not be cured in the usual ways.
In no way did I hate this book. But I did not love it either. Going back to what I said about it being a good one sitting read, I think that due to this, some parts were not detailed enough. Even though I did feel that, I think other aspects of the book made up for it. For example, there was a moment when Mara inquires what makes the wicked people he goes after worse than anyone else, and the Messenger's answer made me think for a while.
This would be the perfect book to read to get out of a slump, or any time you need a book you can finish quickly. The plot, while somewhat unrelateable, was interesting and thought-provoking, and the characters were people you easily begin to care about. More than once I worried about a visit by the Messenger, and remember: if you are wicked, he will find you.
bookreader02's review against another edition
5.0
sarahjanejudson's review against another edition
3.0
albon's review against another edition
3.0
I have no idea what to rate this. I went with three stars, because it's kind of in the middle. Maybe it's more like a 3.5, but I'm not sure, I need some time to think.
The worst thing about following authors on social media is when a character in a book they've written says something, and you can hear it's the author and not the character who's talking. It get's very preachy, and it's kinda uncomfortable.
The start was really slow, but it got better towards the end, and the last 100 pages were very exciting, especially because we got that plot twist I felt the book needed.
I really enjoyed the character, even the Messenger. Mara was very realistic, which was very refreshing. Finally a character who sees horrible things and, instead of right away deciding that they need to save the world, just freaks out and has a good cry. Because that's what I would do. I loved that there was no romance. If there is romance in the future, and I'm sure there will be, I'm rooting for Mara/Daniel.
There were actually fewer gruesome scenes than I thought there would be. Only three scenes made we want to throw up. That being said, those scenes were horrible. That being said, there were more horror scenes than three, but they weren't as extremely graphic as those three were.
There was something missing from this book, and I can't put my finger on it. It lacked a soul, or a heart, but maybe that's to expect from horror-books. I wouldn't know, I haven't read that many of them. I will read the next in the series, because I'm excited to see where Michael Grant will take it, and I'm want to meet Ariadne.
READING PROGRESS
page 111Â 26.68%
page 153Â 36.78% "Not sure how I feel yet. On one hand, it's very typical Michael Grant-horror. If you think he can't possibly come up with stuff worse than what was in BZRK and Gone, you're in for a surprise. I feel sick after this last chapter. But on the other hand, it is going a little slow, and I need some answers soon."
laurah_123's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
wombat_88's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zainabalawal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
melissapalmer404's review against another edition
4.0
Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant
This is the first book in a young adult fantasy series. Mara is with a young man who is seemingly the Messenger of Fear. He judges people who have done wrong and if they play his game and lose, he rains a horrible punishment down upon them. Mara is apparently in training as a future Messenger of Fear. This book has some violent parts to it but it is an engaging read that will hook both high school students (girls and boys) and adults alike.
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k_elliss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0