gentlemanbeggar's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
quaint_metropolis's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
While I thought the story telling was for the most part good and the reading experience very smooth, this book didn’t really work for me. It seems like I’m supposed to root for the main character and Maxim, but I don’t believe their “love” at all. I had thought this was intentional in the book, but it seems like her character development is something to be cheered, but from a modern perspective is kinda bullshit. Perhaps it’s on purpose, but I’m not sure. Her perspective and his are completely selfish without a thought for the other. Only how their life will be affected by it.
I additionally found it predictable and had issues with pacing. For so long nothing happens and we’re left with narrators annoying low self-esteem and childish fantasies and then suddenly we’re overloaded with the twist.
I additionally found it predictable and had issues with pacing. For so long nothing happens and we’re left with narrators annoying low self-esteem and childish fantasies and then suddenly we’re overloaded with the twist.
thisisnotafairytale's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nicirw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
5.0
jorelys's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i8jay's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
jessafewpagesin'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
3.75
Very slow start but by halfway in I became invested. Certain characters and plot lines around the end were so ridiculous I laughed out loud, and I mean this as a compliment. Very well written story with lots of juicy old money drama.
cecilialau_'s review against another edition
4.25
I finally finished Rebecca. And I thankfully have The Parasites by the same author on my shelves for when I feel like diving back into the same narrative/writing style.
It was different than expected. For sure, the premise was set and it wasn’t necessarily surprising how the story went overall. But I was really impressed (not to be belittling at all btw), I just thought it was cleverly done (idk if we tend to think this way considering the time of its publication and all that but we have no reason to). I do have to say that the slow pacing made it tough to reach for but once we passed the halfway mark, there was no turning back and it picked up into the thriller-esque story I enjoyed.
It was different than expected. For sure, the premise was set and it wasn’t necessarily surprising how the story went overall. But I was really impressed (not to be belittling at all btw), I just thought it was cleverly done (idk if we tend to think this way considering the time of its publication and all that but we have no reason to). I do have to say that the slow pacing made it tough to reach for but once we passed the halfway mark, there was no turning back and it picked up into the thriller-esque story I enjoyed.
Spoiler
the ending really toys with your morals and the conflict that it sort of created within when it comes to justice and humanity and loyalty. Wow. Really well done. Bc I fucking despised Favellleny_ba99's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0