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megelizabeth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
"A step, a breath, a heartbeat - such transient, insignificant things were all that stood between life and death, separating light from endless night."
This was one of those reading experiences where for the longest time I had no real idea what was going on or where the story could possibly be ending, but then everything came together in the most brilliant and earth-shattering way and it became a book that I don't think I will ever stop thinking about. The concept is absolutely fascinating and utterly unique (at least in terms of anything I've ever personally read), and how trippy and disconcerting it is for the most part ends up being so, so worth the payoff. The narrative style is so interesting too and everything just builds so incredibly and makes such perfect, heartbreaking sense by the end. I was also surprised by how attached I ended up becoming to characters who for a long time I didn't overly warm to or even particularly like.
This is definitely a 'big thinking' type of book and I was still left with some questions, but not in a way that felt unsatisfying. It was more like there was just so much that went into pulling off a story both so complex and layered but equally so pure and simple at its heart, which meant there was a lot to comprehend when the reveals finally started to come. It's therefore one that I'm sure would benefit from a reread and one I'd likely love even more and get even more out of a second time around.
If you're even slightly intrigued by the basic premise of this, I would honestly recommend it SO highly. It's so much more than it appears at first glance and I am just in awe of what it managed to pull off and of the emotional response it elicited in me.
This was one of those reading experiences where for the longest time I had no real idea what was going on or where the story could possibly be ending, but then everything came together in the most brilliant and earth-shattering way and it became a book that I don't think I will ever stop thinking about. The concept is absolutely fascinating and utterly unique (at least in terms of anything I've ever personally read), and how trippy and disconcerting it is for the most part ends up being so, so worth the payoff. The narrative style is so interesting too and everything just builds so incredibly and makes such perfect, heartbreaking sense by the end. I was also surprised by how attached I ended up becoming to characters who for a long time I didn't overly warm to or even particularly like.
This is definitely a 'big thinking' type of book and I was still left with some questions, but not in a way that felt unsatisfying. It was more like there was just so much that went into pulling off a story both so complex and layered but equally so pure and simple at its heart, which meant there was a lot to comprehend when the reveals finally started to come. It's therefore one that I'm sure would benefit from a reread and one I'd likely love even more and get even more out of a second time around.
If you're even slightly intrigued by the basic premise of this, I would honestly recommend it SO highly. It's so much more than it appears at first glance and I am just in awe of what it managed to pull off and of the emotional response it elicited in me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Mental illness and Suicide
esalmon13's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent
meowster18's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Best book of my year. If I explain then I will spoil it. Just read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cancer and Murder
cc_shelflove's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Why aren’t there more people talking about this book?????? My heart. 💔😭😫 I don’t think I’ve ever felt so emotional after reading a crime novel!
From the very start, the reader is given so many reasons to believe the main character, Harri, is unreliable. She lost her job as a police officer for reasons unbeknownst to the reader, and she prattled on and on about how she fell head over heels in love with a man, Ben Elmys, after three dates. What?! As the story developed, though, it turned out Ben was just as crazy as Harri, if not crazier! Throughout the novel I asked myself multiple times, “What the fuck is happening?????” For me, I think that makes for a great book, and to find one where I haven’t guessed any of the twists and turns? Score! I couldn’t stop thinking about the story and I endlessly wanted to know what the fuck was going on. At its conclusion, all of my questions were answered and Harri and Ben’s story turned out to be so freakin’ good. I’m so happy I read this.
From the very start, the reader is given so many reasons to believe the main character, Harri, is unreliable. She lost her job as a police officer for reasons unbeknownst to the reader, and she prattled on and on about how she fell head over heels in love with a man, Ben Elmys, after three dates. What?! As the story developed, though, it turned out Ben was just as crazy as Harri, if not crazier! Throughout the novel I asked myself multiple times, “What the fuck is happening?????” For me, I think that makes for a great book, and to find one where I haven’t guessed any of the twists and turns? Score! I couldn’t stop thinking about the story and I endlessly wanted to know what the fuck was going on. At its conclusion, all of my questions were answered and Harri and Ben’s story turned out to be so freakin’ good. I’m so happy I read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Child death and Police brutality
lilifane's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Ah, I don't know how to talk about this book without spoiling anything. I guess it's best to get into it without knowing much. For example, I had no idea about the plot when I started reading.
So this is like a slow, weird mystery about a boy, the death of his parents, his legal guardian and a former police officer. And there are aspects of the plot that I absolutely adore. But because I love these so much, my brain is pretty much conditioned to recognize them early on. So most of the mystery wasn't really a mystery for me but a fact, and most reveals in the end were not surprising at all. However, it reminded me of one of my favorite TV shows and worked really well for me. Also, one scene made me super emotional, that's always a plus.
I also loved the setting and atmosphere. I enjoyed the moody British countryside very much.
Although I liked the writing, there were poems that were part of the story and I just... couldn't take those seriously. They seemed kind of pretentious.
Lastly, I didn't like the romance/love elements of the plot. These were very weird and cringy. I wish they weren't this essential to the plot because I would have completely loved the book without this element tbh.
So this is like a slow, weird mystery about a boy, the death of his parents, his legal guardian and a former police officer. And there are aspects of the plot that I absolutely adore. But because I love these so much, my brain is pretty much conditioned to recognize them early on. So most of the mystery wasn't really a mystery for me but a fact, and most reveals in the end were not surprising at all. However, it reminded me of one of my favorite TV shows and worked really well for me. Also, one scene made me super emotional, that's always a plus.
I also loved the setting and atmosphere. I enjoyed the moody British countryside very much.
Although I liked the writing, there were poems that were part of the story and I just... couldn't take those seriously. They seemed kind of pretentious.
Lastly, I didn't like the romance/love elements of the plot. These were very weird and cringy. I wish they weren't this essential to the plot because I would have completely loved the book without this element tbh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicide
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