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katewhite77's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0
Very Well Written, But No Likeable Characters
This is probably born out of the fact that it is a modern retelling of Wouthering Heights. I can't really comment further on this aspect because I have never read Wouthering Heights.
My Soul Twin tells of a tumultuous relationship between a foster brother and sister Stella and Ivo were bought up together for part of their German childhood and become inextricably linked but not always in healthy ways. The novel opens with Ivo suddenly returning to the family after being estranged for seven years.
I was always going to read this because I absolutely adored Haratchiwili's first novel, The Eighth Life. However, I am the sort of reader who needs at least some likeable characters to get myself through a book. So, I found the first two-thirds hard to get through. The resolution to this novel was pretty amazing, though, and I felt my perseverance was richly rewarded.
This is probably born out of the fact that it is a modern retelling of Wouthering Heights. I can't really comment further on this aspect because I have never read Wouthering Heights.
My Soul Twin tells of a tumultuous relationship between a foster brother and sister Stella and Ivo were bought up together for part of their German childhood and become inextricably linked but not always in healthy ways. The novel opens with Ivo suddenly returning to the family after being estranged for seven years.
I was always going to read this because I absolutely adored Haratchiwili's first novel, The Eighth Life. However, I am the sort of reader who needs at least some likeable characters to get myself through a book. So, I found the first two-thirds hard to get through. The resolution to this novel was pretty amazing, though, and I felt my perseverance was richly rewarded.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and War
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder
jenno's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I have enjoyed Nino's work so much in the two previous novels. If this book was by any other author I would probably rate it higher (in not rating it at all) but for Nino I think it's her weakest novel. That bring said, I enjoyed it even though I att times found it a bit repetitive.
planetdia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
This book restored my will to live.
rchll's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
neledoro's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
_blue_moon_'s review
2.0
I received this as an ARC and was fascinated by the notion of Wuthering Heights flavour, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped. It tried to do too much in setting the bones of the classic tale against the setting and history of Georgia, which was by far the most interesting part about it. The central relationship was tiring due to the utter nastiness of the male love interest - like not even a fascinating bad boy type, just the average black-leather-jacket-wearing violent manchild. Okay, Heathcliff is arguably a trope too but I couldn't feel much for a heroine who pursued a guy so mundanely terrible.
jesslolsen's review
3.0
This gave me similar vibes to The Paper Palace.
Stella was a largely unlikable character for me. Her trauma and guilt made her self centered and destructive.
I got massively confused around the 75% mark when the new characters and their story was introduced. For me the bombshell revelation didn’t live up to all the references of the ‘house of cards’ and ‘big secret’. It left me feeling confused and feeling like I was missing something because I didn’t see how it was so important she left her family to be part of that.
Stella was a largely unlikable character for me. Her trauma and guilt made her self centered and destructive.
I got massively confused around the 75% mark when the new characters and their story was introduced. For me the bombshell revelation didn’t live up to all the references of the ‘house of cards’ and ‘big secret’. It left me feeling confused and feeling like I was missing something because I didn’t see how it was so important she left her family to be part of that.
marenkaef's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ohwretchedme's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-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
4.0
the_booker's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75