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ecaps's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Ohkay when I read some reviews of this book, I was very intrigued about the unreliable narrator trope. And was really looking forward to reading this book.
Having read both The Silent Patient and The Maidens by the author I had high expectations. And boy were those met?! Thoroughly. Full Disclaimer not everyone likes how the author tries to make everyone a red herring and confuses you until the very end but I thoroughly enjoy it. It’s the Agatha Christie way of writing is what I call it :)
The story knows when to reveal what and the narrator is speaking to the audience directly so the fourth wall breaking style of writing is also something I enjoy.
Yays;
1. Fast paced, short chapters, every chapter kinda ends in a cliffhanger. If a story manages to pull me into the pages and zone out of my surroundings and zone into the plot like I used to back when I was a kid then it’s hands down a good read
2. The plot is like a whole maze that it makes you doubt your own mind, tons of plot twists and revelations BUT it is fairly easy to grasp the story which is a yay for me.
3. I love how the author has made the characters very dramatic. It might be corny for some people but I love it. It’s like those old classics, passionate, expressive and shocking.
Naahs;
1. I was not completely happy with the ending
2. Idk if this is a Naah but the story and characters aroused so many emotions in me that I still don’t know who I was rooting for at the end.
Having read both The Silent Patient and The Maidens by the author I had high expectations. And boy were those met?! Thoroughly. Full Disclaimer not everyone likes how the author tries to make everyone a red herring and confuses you until the very end but I thoroughly enjoy it. It’s the Agatha Christie way of writing is what I call it :)
The story knows when to reveal what and the narrator is speaking to the audience directly so the fourth wall breaking style of writing is also something I enjoy.
Yays;
1. Fast paced, short chapters, every chapter kinda ends in a cliffhanger. If a story manages to pull me into the pages and zone out of my surroundings and zone into the plot like I used to back when I was a kid then it’s hands down a good read
2. The plot is like a whole maze that it makes you doubt your own mind, tons of plot twists and revelations BUT it is fairly easy to grasp the story which is a yay for me.
3. I love how the author has made the characters very dramatic. It might be corny for some people but I love it. It’s like those old classics, passionate, expressive and shocking.
Naahs;
1. I was not completely happy with the ending
2. Idk if this is a Naah but the story and characters aroused so many emotions in me that I still don’t know who I was rooting for at the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
justagremlin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-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
3.75
The book was a very fast paced read (don’t look at how long it took me to read this a lot of things were happening in real life). The chapters are extremely short and pretty much every chapter ends on a twist it seems which helps you fly through the book.
Speaking of which the twists are fun and are actually set up fairly well. As someone who doesn’t read this genre much I was very surprised.
I do feel like some of the characters were under used. Like Leo and Agthi and Nikos. Granted none of them are the main focus of this book, but I would’ve liked more of them nonetheless. Especially with Elliot’s whole thing being the unrequited love with Lana, I feel like we could’ve explored Nikos’ love for Lana more but oh well
It also isn’t a very linear story. It jumps around a lot, almost a bit too much for my tastes. But I understand for this genre and this story in particular it is needed.
Overall a very good twisty thriller that moves fast and is a thrill to read.
Recommend for: Thriller fans who want a fast paced short read with plenty of twists and turns.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Drug use
Drug Usechainsawheartbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
“Do not despair at being different. For that very difference, initially such a source of shame, so humiliating, and painful, will one day become a badge of honour and pride.”
I truly don’t even know where to start. This book is told in 5 acts, much like a play, and it works so beautifully.
I will admit that I struggled to get into it at the start, it took up to Act 2 for me become invested in the characters and figuring out what happened, but then when I did, I fell headfirst into the drama and intrigue.
Beautifully written twists and turns, with some truly interesting characters. If you’ve read either of Michaelides’ other books, you might think you know what to expect, but my god are you in for a treat, it takes unreliable narration to a whole new level in such a fun way.
Perhaps controversial, but I preferred this to The Silent Patient 🤫
I truly don’t even know where to start. This book is told in 5 acts, much like a play, and it works so beautifully.
I will admit that I struggled to get into it at the start, it took up to Act 2 for me become invested in the characters and figuring out what happened, but then when I did, I fell headfirst into the drama and intrigue.
Beautifully written twists and turns, with some truly interesting characters. If you’ve read either of Michaelides’ other books, you might think you know what to expect, but my god are you in for a treat, it takes unreliable narration to a whole new level in such a fun way.
Perhaps controversial, but I preferred this to The Silent Patient 🤫
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
oproy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Eh, it just wasn’t for me. The characters were not likeable even though I know that’s kind of the point. The twist at the ending was unexpected yet still expected. I kind of liked that we were supposed to “know” who did everything at the beginning, and was disappointed when that’s not what actually happened. It felt like a cop out.
Anyways, it was an easy read and I liked the setting of the Greek Island. Would recommend if you like whodunnits.
Anyways, it was an easy read and I liked the setting of the Greek Island. Would recommend if you like whodunnits.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Murder, and Gaslighting
maryconney's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
ksilvio's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
itsheyfay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
jennifermreads's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
A locked room mystery set on a Greek Island? And an unreliable narrator? Sign. Me. Up!
I loved the narration style. This unreliable narrator can weave a tale, build the suspense, ramp up the drama, make you think you know something, and spring surprises. I mean, the narrator starts the book with “Never open a book with the weather.” and then proceeds to tell us he isn’t technically talking about weather just about the wind. Ooookkkaaayyyy…
I don’t care how it opened except that I was glued to the pages within the first dozen. I was giddy that I was tearing through a book. Stories that hold my interest like that have just seemed so elusive this year. On finishing, I felt exhausted, like I had run a race around the island trying to figure out what was what, who was who, and who to trust. I closed the book thinking “Well, I’m sorry that is over.” It was a wild, twisty, turny ride and I’m glad I got aboard.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
skyfluff's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
kelisabeth's review
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail