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leweylibrary's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.25
I read this for a book club and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. I'm normally not a big "there was a murder and now the MC is investigating it before it's too late" premise, but maybe I'm alright with it in an audiobook?
It also helps that I just finished Pandora's Jar, so my mind was very much in a Greek myth mindset, and there was a TON of that going on. I feel like if I was more knowledgeable on Greek myths, there would be so much more to unpack in this book and connections I'm just not seeing immediately. This will definitely be a good one to discuss in book club I think, especially if someone there does know Greek myths well.
I knew there was going to be a twist near the end, but I was absolutely wrong about what it was š I thought for sureFred was going to be the killer but yeah no definitely not lol . When it was revealed, I was on the train on my way to work and I audibly gasped. Mouth wide open and everything, the people sitting across from me were startled lol.
The twist is the part I'm most excited to talk about because there are so many aspects of it that I don't understand or have questions about. For example,did Sebastian intentionally kill himself? I don't believe his plan was as genius and foolproof as the author makes it seem. The MC should be way more fucked up afterwards than she seems. How the fuck did she not notice they were "in love" sooner?? He was having sex with her since she was FIFTEEN and grooming her that whole time?? Wtf, how do you not get any vibes at all. She must have been incredibly oblivious which I guess tracks since she also said they never talked about their pasts and she was just okay with that??
My biggest issues with the book were the ending, particularly how quickly it was "resolved."It makes no sense that the cops all of a sudden are so eager and willing to believe her when they do recently we're sure she was crazy and needed help. I also just don't think the characters, especially the MC. She's not the worst male-written character I've read, but she does still fall flat for me. And why is she surrounded by creepy dudes who want to hurt her or get into her pants? And idk how to feel about her relationship with Freddy/Fred/whatever lol and his whole prophecy thing, that aspect rubbed me the wrong way for some reason. All of that aside, I did enjoy reading it in the moment, and that's the biggest thing that matters to me.
It also helps that I just finished Pandora's Jar, so my mind was very much in a Greek myth mindset, and there was a TON of that going on. I feel like if I was more knowledgeable on Greek myths, there would be so much more to unpack in this book and connections I'm just not seeing immediately. This will definitely be a good one to discuss in book club I think, especially if someone there does know Greek myths well.
I knew there was going to be a twist near the end, but I was absolutely wrong about what it was š I thought for sure
The twist is the part I'm most excited to talk about because there are so many aspects of it that I don't understand or have questions about. For example,
My biggest issues with the book were the ending, particularly how quickly it was "resolved."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed the first 75% of this novel. I like the references to Greek mythology, but it never really added anything to the plot. I like that the plot gestures towards dark academia; that was my initial draw to it. But again, it never went passed āold college = spooky.ā
I enjoyed the mystery until the stupid twist in the final 25% of the novel. It feels like the author decided a twist was needed, but it really wasnāt. It wouldāve made more sense if the killer had been one of the three actual suspects, or perhaps a less fleshed-out secondary character. It made me go, āWell that was stupid.ā And soured me on the preceeding 75% of the novel.
This novel is what Iād call ājust okay.ā
I enjoyed the mystery until the stupid twist in the final 25% of the novel. It feels like the author decided a twist was needed, but it really wasnāt. It wouldāve made more sense if the killer had been one of the three actual suspects, or perhaps a less fleshed-out secondary character. It made me go, āWell that was stupid.ā And soured me on the preceeding 75% of the novel.
This novel is what Iād call ājust okay.ā
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Classism
somesortofwitch's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Suicide attempt
miggyfool's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
solypoly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I feel like this book had the potential to be so much more interesting than it was. Big reveal at the end just doesnāt feel satisfying because it kind of comes out of nowhere and then the book just ends
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, and Murder
hcrawfo3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
cosycourtney's review against another edition
fast-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
2.0
Please consider trigger warnings before reading this book. I went into The Maidens with fairly low expectations and indeed find it quite stupid in the end. I really enjoyed the Silent Patient but that was a time before I think I read critically or with conscience. Not to discredit my previous enjoyment but I just canāt turn off that part of my brain anymore (unless itās fantasy smut x). Iām always very weary of a male author writing about the brutal deaths of young women; even more so when an adult woman is painted as crazy and is casually harassed along the way. Without spoiling the book Iāll just say, only a man would write an ending as such. I donāt think any female with an experience of any similarity would approach such a topic as is explored here. I found the inclusion of weird men like Henry & Fred to be lazy and the fixation on the professor got a bit boring towards the end. The big reveal was only half shocking because and I would have liked a bit more show than tell. Overall, it was fine, if you enjoy a mindless thriller definitely give it a read. If you canāt stand the suffering of women for mindless entertainment, Iād say give it a miss.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
marisa_n's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
When I finished the book, I initially had mixed feelings. I loved all the twists and turns. That said, I felt the characters were a little two-dimensional and unbelievable. Moreover, there were some plot holes and loose threads that were never tied up. That said, the more I think about it and read other reviews (especially the complaints) the more I realize the genius of this book.
I loved the plot twist at the end, as I didn't suspect Zoey. I thought it was Henry or Fred for most of the book. That said, I was left feeling somewhat unsatisfied with the explanation, but was having trouble articulating why it didn't make sense. It wasn't until I started reading the negative reviews and all the plot holes that these astute readers were referring to that I realized the genius of this book:
all of the characters were unreliable narrators.
There was Mariana, who clearly had a blind spot when it came to recognizing the signs of toxic and/or dangerous people. From her brushing off the dangerous implications of a client stalking her. Her instance that her father was a good man, despite his neglecting her as a child. Her poor character judgment with her niece, despite others implying she was unlikeable. Her memories of Sebastian as a romantic, nurturing man, despite something nefarious happening behind the scenes. Her openness to pursuing something romantic with Fred in the end, despite his love bombing and over-stepping boundaries--which, as a therapist, she should have recognized as a red flag. Mariana clearly is a poor judge of character and has questionable judgment in general.
Then there was Sebastian, who supposedly wrote the journal entries throughout the book. His journal entries were dark, and very unlike how Mariana described him. They also left unanswered questions. Did he kill his mother, or did she just leave and never come back? It's unclear, but it's suggested that he killed her and then rewrote the memory as a dream.
Then there is Zoe, whose "motive" includes details that are clearly at odds with Mariana's recollection of events. How could Sebastian have gotten with Mariana just to get to Zoe if he didn't meet the child until well into the relationship? How could he be in love with Zoe from the moment he saw her if she was just a young child when they met? Sure, he could have been a pedophile, but pedophiles tend to have a preferred age range, and he didn't sexually abuse Zoe until she was 15. Lastly, Zoe claims Sebastian strangled Mariana's father, but Mariana said he died of a heart attack--and what medical professional would mix up the two causes of death? Not to mention the weirdness with the Maidens / Fosca viewing Zoe as one of them, despite her saying she'd only joined them one time. Basically, nothing she said could be taken at face value.
Therefore, this isn't so much of a "whodunit" so much as a web of unreliable narratives to untangle. It left me with so many questions. For starters, how much of Zoe's story about the affair (read: sexual abuse) and subsequent murder plot was real?
My interpretation was that Sebastian had a history of physical (maybe sexual?) abuse at the hands of his father. He likely murdered his mother as revenge for trying to abandon him. He grew up to be a dangerous man, repeating the cycle of abuse. Mariana was blinded by love and only saw what she wanted to see (a doting husband). Sebastian sexually abused Zoe, but it was probably opportunistic and did not start until she was older (13ish?). Zoe was a young girl who was groomed and abused by a father figure, and then created a narrative of forbidden love to make sense of the trauma. Sebastian fed into her delusions by swearing one day he would leave and/or kill Mariana so they could be together. When he died, Zoe wanted to kill Mariana, her mother figure, to get revenge for taking away Sebastian, but also for shattering her delusion of him. The Greek tragedy theme really plays in nicely here with reference to adult-minor relationships, abusive father figures, revenge, fate, sorrow, etc.
I loved the plot twist at the end, as I didn't suspect Zoey. I thought it was Henry or Fred for most of the book. That said, I was left feeling somewhat unsatisfied with the explanation, but was having trouble articulating why it didn't make sense. It wasn't until I started reading the negative reviews and all the plot holes that these astute readers were referring to that I realized the genius of this book:
all of the characters were unreliable narrators.
There was Mariana, who clearly had a blind spot when it came to recognizing the signs of toxic and/or dangerous people. From her brushing off the dangerous implications of a client stalking her. Her instance that her father was a good man, despite his neglecting her as a child. Her poor character judgment with her niece, despite others implying she was unlikeable. Her memories of Sebastian as a romantic, nurturing man, despite something nefarious happening behind the scenes. Her openness to pursuing something romantic with Fred in the end, despite his love bombing and over-stepping boundaries--which, as a therapist, she should have recognized as a red flag. Mariana clearly is a poor judge of character and has questionable judgment in general.
Then there was Sebastian, who supposedly wrote the journal entries throughout the book. His journal entries were dark, and very unlike how Mariana described him. They also left unanswered questions. Did he kill his mother, or did she just leave and never come back? It's unclear, but it's suggested that he killed her and then rewrote the memory as a dream.
Then there is Zoe, whose "motive" includes details that are clearly at odds with Mariana's recollection of events. How could Sebastian have gotten with Mariana just to get to Zoe if he didn't meet the child until well into the relationship? How could he be in love with Zoe from the moment he saw her if she was just a young child when they met? Sure, he could have been a pedophile, but pedophiles tend to have a preferred age range, and he didn't sexually abuse Zoe until she was 15. Lastly, Zoe claims Sebastian strangled Mariana's father, but Mariana said he died of a heart attack--and what medical professional would mix up the two causes of death? Not to mention the weirdness with the Maidens / Fosca viewing Zoe as one of them, despite her saying she'd only joined them one time. Basically, nothing she said could be taken at face value.
Therefore, this isn't so much of a "whodunit" so much as a web of unreliable narratives to untangle. It left me with so many questions. For starters, how much of Zoe's story about the affair (read: sexual abuse) and subsequent murder plot was real?
My interpretation was that Sebastian had a history of physical (maybe sexual?) abuse at the hands of his father. He likely murdered his mother as revenge for trying to abandon him. He grew up to be a dangerous man, repeating the cycle of abuse. Mariana was blinded by love and only saw what she wanted to see (a doting husband). Sebastian sexually abused Zoe, but it was probably opportunistic and did not start until she was older (13ish?). Zoe was a young girl who was groomed and abused by a father figure, and then created a narrative of forbidden love to make sense of the trauma. Sebastian fed into her delusions by swearing one day he would leave and/or kill Mariana so they could be together. When he died, Zoe wanted to kill Mariana, her mother figure, to get revenge for taking away Sebastian, but also for shattering her delusion of him. The Greek tragedy theme really plays in nicely here with reference to adult-minor relationships, abusive father figures, revenge, fate, sorrow, etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
lackingshelfcontrol's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Murder
louisegraveyard's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail