kelleyarena's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hxllyturner's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
barefaced's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
hannahstromauthor9's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was not at all what I expected it to be but in a good way. Instead of being your usual mystery novel it was written in a more narrative way. Like Forrest Gump meets Dexter.
I loved the narration style and how easy it was to read. It kept me hooked and felt very realistic. Expecially how everything perfectly concluded in the end. I was invested in Ruby's life and how her brain worked. This was very much a character study. The only part that doesn't make it five stars was that Ruby could be snobby and pretentious at times. I didn't feel a deep connection with her like all praises said I would.
I loved the narration style and how easy it was to read. It kept me hooked and felt very realistic. Expecially how everything perfectly concluded in the end. I was invested in Ruby's life and how her brain worked. This was very much a character study. The only part that doesn't make it five stars was that Ruby could be snobby and pretentious at times. I didn't feel a deep connection with her like all praises said I would.
atgerstner's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kiaran03's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this. Similar to They Never Learn by Layne Fargo. I really enjoy the way it was told. It was like a friend recounting a crazy story to you. Really enjoyed it. Big rip to Jason though.
brittany_tellefsen's review against another edition
3.0
If I had to summarize this in a sentence, it would be "The character study of an abnormal.....serial killer."
I don't necessarily feel that "Serial Killer" is the appropriate term to describe our main character but, she is a murder. This is known from page one and the book synopsis so this is not a spoiler.
She has killed three people over 25 years and she has no remorse or guilt. But Ruby Simons is not what you would expect of a killer. She doesn't hit any of the typical stereotypes. She is an empathetic and compassionate person, working as a therapist to aid people with their trauma. She is a huge animal lover, and finds great joy in them. She is able to feel love, kindness, and all of the emotions one would not equate with your standard serial killer.
However, at the beginning of this book, Ruby is being questioned by the police in relation to the death of her husband...the one death she actually did not cause. However, suspicions surrounds her when the detectives uncovers that three other people have mysteriously died in her presence.
Told in combination between the present, as she is undergoing investigation, and the past, from when she was five years-old to now, we follow Ruby through her life, hearing her thoughts, reasoning, and motives for her actions.
I found this to be a pretty interesting and unique way to tell a story. But by the end, I couldn't help but ask...."What was the point?"
**Possibly Spoilers Below.***
This novel is not suspenseful or thrilling at all. It barely even qualifies as a mystery because the apparent mystery is what happened to her husband, and that is uncovered about half-way through the book. It's not high-brow enough to be literary fiction, but contemporary fiction is likely too light a term.
I have no idea where this book fits and I have no idea what message the author wanted its readers to receive.
I mean, why are we reliving Ruby's life, and following her in the present during her criminal investigation, if literally nothing was going to come of all of it?
I very much enjoyed being in Ruby's mind, and some of the life-observations and points made throughout the story, but I am still confused over the end-goal of this book and because the ending was so lackluster and underwhelming, I am not sure I can give this higher than a three stars
I don't necessarily feel that "Serial Killer" is the appropriate term to describe our main character but, she is a murder. This is known from page one and the book synopsis so this is not a spoiler.
She has killed three people over 25 years and she has no remorse or guilt. But Ruby Simons is not what you would expect of a killer. She doesn't hit any of the typical stereotypes. She is an empathetic and compassionate person, working as a therapist to aid people with their trauma. She is a huge animal lover, and finds great joy in them. She is able to feel love, kindness, and all of the emotions one would not equate with your standard serial killer.
However, at the beginning of this book, Ruby is being questioned by the police in relation to the death of her husband...the one death she actually did not cause. However, suspicions surrounds her when the detectives uncovers that three other people have mysteriously died in her presence.
Told in combination between the present, as she is undergoing investigation, and the past, from when she was five years-old to now, we follow Ruby through her life, hearing her thoughts, reasoning, and motives for her actions.
I found this to be a pretty interesting and unique way to tell a story. But by the end, I couldn't help but ask...."What was the point?"
**Possibly Spoilers Below.***
This novel is not suspenseful or thrilling at all. It barely even qualifies as a mystery because the apparent mystery is what happened to her husband, and that is uncovered about half-way through the book. It's not high-brow enough to be literary fiction, but contemporary fiction is likely too light a term.
I have no idea where this book fits and I have no idea what message the author wanted its readers to receive.
I mean, why are we reliving Ruby's life, and following her in the present during her criminal investigation, if literally nothing was going to come of all of it?
I very much enjoyed being in Ruby's mind, and some of the life-observations and points made throughout the story, but I am still confused over the end-goal of this book and because the ending was so lackluster and underwhelming, I am not sure I can give this higher than a three stars
thegirlwiththebookonthecouch's review against another edition
5.0
Blood Sugar is an absolutely mesmerizing, character driven thriller. As the byline says, Ruby (MC) is accused of 4 murders, but she only committed 3 of them, and the exploration of Ruby's life from childhood to sitting in an interrogation room is masterfully executed by Rotchchild. The deep insight into Ruby is balanced with incredibly realistic character traits that make her believable as a murderess, but completely likeable as a human. If you love psychological exploration of unique, not quite anti hero characters, you will absolutely love this thriller that wraps up in an astoundingly perfect ending.
Check out my interview with Sascha about the book!
Audio
https://between-the-lines-with-kate.simplecast.com/episodes/sascha-rothchild-blood-sugar
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2zzfal9rdw&t=80s
Check out my interview with Sascha about the book!
Audio
https://between-the-lines-with-kate.simplecast.com/episodes/sascha-rothchild-blood-sugar
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2zzfal9rdw&t=80s
hkschorr's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tayy88's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75