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whatzoreads's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
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
2.75
sardinetin's review
3.0
Fast paced and gripping, if a little predictable in places. Amanda has great knack for characterisation and a tight plot.
davidb71's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.0
I've previously read three Amanda Jennings books - In Her Wake, The Cliff House and The Haven - and not only did I enjoy all of them - I thought she was getting better and better with each book. I bought The Judas Tree thinking that it was a 'new' book by her, and I felt a little underwhelmed as I was reading it, because it didn't feel as skillfully written as those other books - in terms of pacing, characterisation, and the subtle nuances and structure of the story. I only found out after finishing it that it is a re-release of a 2014 novel by her, and written before those other three books. I wish I'd known this going into the book, because I'd have viewed it more sympathetically, and I wouldn't have gone into it with such high expectations. It's perfectly fine, and I enjoyed it. It didn't hit the heights of those other books for me, but it's still a decent, enjoyable psychological thriller.
johnw613's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Harmony English meets a mysterious stranger at a party who turns out to have been a school mate of her husband Will. The couple are weathering a tough period following a miscarriage and mysterious party guest, Luke, initially attempts to draw Harmony away. He and Will, though are each harboring some disturbing memories of their school days that have been left unresolved for decades. The dynamics of the three of them lead to a harrowing conclusion on a fast paced dark thriller in which jealousies and betrayals take center stage and include a brutal murder. Part of the mystery is left unresolved and unexplained, and you really don’t know who you should feel sympathy for, but that’s part of the purpose of the book. Joe Jameson’s narration of the audiobook is deft and compelling.
alex_norval's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
karlamcclatchey's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
swalk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Harmony is struggling to deal with a miscarriage when one of her husband Will’s former school friends appears in their life. Luke’s reappearance really throws Will off kilter, but he will not open up with Harmony as to why. A dark past links Luke and Will as will life begins to crumble around him, events that occurred at boarding school begin to unravel.
Personally this book was not for me. Honestly, all of the characters in this book are absolutely awful and unlikeable, they don’t listen to each others wants and needs at all, they hide things, constantly making idiotic choices. Harmony is totally self righteous and Will is uncommunicative, although the one thing he has communicated seems to be completely ignored and the inference is that he is wholly at fault. Luke is just a horribly damaged, manipulative creep.
The writing of the book was fine, I found it slow paced and obvious once it did get going, the plot just wasn’t to my taste.
The narrator was good, it was easy to tell each character apart and the emphasis was all well portrayed.
Personally this book was not for me. Honestly, all of the characters in this book are absolutely awful and unlikeable, they don’t listen to each others wants and needs at all, they hide things, constantly making idiotic choices. Harmony is totally self righteous and Will is uncommunicative, although the one thing he has communicated seems to be completely ignored and the inference is that he is wholly at fault. Luke is just a horribly damaged, manipulative creep.
The writing of the book was fine, I found it slow paced and obvious once it did get going, the plot just wasn’t to my taste.
The narrator was good, it was easy to tell each character apart and the emphasis was all well portrayed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Miscarriage, and Stalking
Minor: Animal cruelty, Rape, and Toxic relationship
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Wow. That was one hell of a book. I was completely gripped, couldn't stop reading, had to know what was going to happen next.
The first chapter starts with a scene that happens fairly late in the book but is mysterious to the point that you want to know how it got to that situation. After that, it starts right at the beginning, months before the prologue, and everything seems fairly normal. Then the story starts to take a creepy turn with the twisted history starting to be revealled.
It's kinda obvious by about half way through who the 'bad guy' is but that makes it more tense as you don't know what they'll do and how they'll react.
Honestly, the ending is rather satisfying...
I'd never read one of Jennings books before but i'm certainly going to be reading her backlist now!
The first chapter starts with a scene that happens fairly late in the book but is mysterious to the point that you want to know how it got to that situation. After that, it starts right at the beginning, months before the prologue, and everything seems fairly normal. Then the story starts to take a creepy turn with the twisted history starting to be revealled.
It's kinda obvious by about half way through who the 'bad guy' is but that makes it more tense as you don't know what they'll do and how they'll react.
Honestly, the ending is rather satisfying...
I'd never read one of Jennings books before but i'm certainly going to be reading her backlist now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
laurapatriciarosereads's review
4.0
Originally posted on: http://lauraslittlebookblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-judas-scar-by-amanda-jennings.html
The minute I read the prologue for The Judas Scar, I was gripped. I needed to know what had happened that had got the unknown man into the dangerous position he was in.
I have read a similar novel to this recently in that people are never who you think they are on the outside. We all have a secret hiding beneath the surface, it's just a case of when it will come to light. I can happily say that this one did not disappoint!
Will and Harmony seem perfectly happy in their marriage but as the title of this book tells us, there are scars lurking underneath and a chance encounter with an old school 'friend' brings those scars right back to the surface again and some shocking truths are revealed.
Each character was incredibly intricate and especially Will. He has so much bottled up and hidden in his past, it's no wonder he has not truly moved on, but I could never truly sympathise with him. I felt more sorry for his wife Harmony on the other hand as because of Will, it prevents her from being truly happy.
I like trying to unpick the title of a book and when I discovered why it was called the Judas Scar, I thought it was really clever!
The book starts off at quite a steady pace but then it rapidly picks up momentum and then everything starts to surface.
There was a lot of tension in this and you are constantly just waiting for it to go bang! Amanda's writing keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The minute I read the prologue for The Judas Scar, I was gripped. I needed to know what had happened that had got the unknown man into the dangerous position he was in.
I have read a similar novel to this recently in that people are never who you think they are on the outside. We all have a secret hiding beneath the surface, it's just a case of when it will come to light. I can happily say that this one did not disappoint!
Will and Harmony seem perfectly happy in their marriage but as the title of this book tells us, there are scars lurking underneath and a chance encounter with an old school 'friend' brings those scars right back to the surface again and some shocking truths are revealed.
Each character was incredibly intricate and especially Will. He has so much bottled up and hidden in his past, it's no wonder he has not truly moved on, but I could never truly sympathise with him. I felt more sorry for his wife Harmony on the other hand as because of Will, it prevents her from being truly happy.
I like trying to unpick the title of a book and when I discovered why it was called the Judas Scar, I thought it was really clever!
The book starts off at quite a steady pace but then it rapidly picks up momentum and then everything starts to surface.
There was a lot of tension in this and you are constantly just waiting for it to go bang! Amanda's writing keeps you on the edge of your seat.