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megelizabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
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.
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Mental illness and Suicide
esalmon13's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent
meowster18's review
- 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
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cancer and Murder
cc_shelflove's review
- 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
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.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Child death and Police brutality
lilifane's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicide
haylzno's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Do you ever read a book and then immediately go back to the beginning to see if you can't spot the clues?
Because I don't usually - but I did for this one.
I thought the clues where perfect and subtle and led me to exclaiming "OHHHHHHHH" multiple times throughout the book. This book gave me chills on multiple occasions
The books is labeled as thriller/crime/suspense but could easily be classified in another genre. I won't say because, as many other reviews note, it's best to go into this one with as little information as possible.
There were a few things I didn't like: I did find myself rolling my eyes at the "romance" that is revealed in the early chapters - and my only advice is to push through the instalovers because I think the ending and multiple plot twists make it worth the read.
I also found some of the writing excessively descriptive. There were multiple occasions where I decided to skim because it was getting boring and repetitive, but this is still a book I'd recommend to those who may enjoy unconventional thrillers.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death of parent
meganrae047's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent
cait_reads_and_drinks's review
- 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
QUICK TAKE: A child is left in the care of a family friend after the death of both of his parents but the circumstances are suspicious.
This is one of those books that starts out as one thing and ends up as totally something else. I was a little confused in the beginning with some of the narrative and found myself going back and forth, but it was SO worth it to keep reading.
I don’t want to say too much about it for fear of spoiling it, but this was a trifecta of some of my favorite things; existentialism, unreliable narrators, and overall a total mind fuck. I highly recommend going into this one blind.
If you’re a fan of investigative thrillers and have loved anything by Blake Crouch, run, don’t walk, to go get this books ASAP.
Moderate: Death of parent
soobooksalot's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Other Side Of Night is some next-level writing from new-to-me author Adam Hamdy.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my gifted copy for review!
This is a book for which I can't even try to spin a teaser summary. It's a mystery novel, but so much more. It's a story within a book, with court documents and letters throughout.
It's the story of David Asha and wife Beth, their son Elliot, friend Ben, and police officer Harriet Kealty.
The Other Side Of Night is emotional, otherworldly and non-linear. It contains elements of philosophy, poetry, physics and biology. Grief and loss and reflection, alongside crime investigation.
These elements may not sound like they can fit together, but author Hamdy has made it so. It's heart-wrenching and thought-provoking and the whole thing might have blown my mind a bit!
This is very much a different book, but for those willing to give different a chance, I highly recommend!
For release on Sept. 27.
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, and Death of parent