lothwolfjedi's review against another edition
2.0
Vraiment pas terrible. Ça part dans tous les sens et rien n’est satisfaisant. Et le message de soutien à Jk Rowling dans le livre…vraiment ?
emily_bg's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kate_ever's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It has been a long time since I read the first book in this series, I just remember that I enjoyed Six Stories but not many details. So I started Hydra with a fresh slate and didn’t have any expectations, well I expected to enjoy it but nothing other than that.
I’ll admit I wasn’t sure of it to start with, I think it was because we started with audio files from Arla and then she was the first interview and I felt like I needed a little more grounding in the story before getting her perspective. However, it didn’t take long before I was hooked and didn’t want to put it down, desperate to see how these different accounts would add to what we know about Arla and her possible motives for what she did to her family.
One thing that came flooding back to me as I was making my way through the book is how amazing Matt Wesolowski is at crafting an eerie and intense atmosphere. I loved the creepy otherworldly vibes this book has, and the weird nostalgia of younger years playing games at sleepovers that were mostly nonsense but being hyped up on so much collective anticipation that we would freak ourselves out and not be able to sleep.
I also loved the menacing undertone from the anonymous people trying to put Scott King off his series. The tension that added to the story as we got to know more about Arla through the different perspectives and wondered about what connected them was exquisite. I don’t know if it is just because it’s been a few years since I read the first book but this one feels darker and I know that I got chills from some of the situations that come up and that I won’t be able to get them out of my head for a while.
Hydra is a chilling but captivating book that will easily have you hooked.
I’ll admit I wasn’t sure of it to start with, I think it was because we started with audio files from Arla and then she was the first interview and I felt like I needed a little more grounding in the story before getting her perspective. However, it didn’t take long before I was hooked and didn’t want to put it down, desperate to see how these different accounts would add to what we know about Arla and her possible motives for what she did to her family.
One thing that came flooding back to me as I was making my way through the book is how amazing Matt Wesolowski is at crafting an eerie and intense atmosphere. I loved the creepy otherworldly vibes this book has, and the weird nostalgia of younger years playing games at sleepovers that were mostly nonsense but being hyped up on so much collective anticipation that we would freak ourselves out and not be able to sleep.
I also loved the menacing undertone from the anonymous people trying to put Scott King off his series. The tension that added to the story as we got to know more about Arla through the different perspectives and wondered about what connected them was exquisite. I don’t know if it is just because it’s been a few years since I read the first book but this one feels darker and I know that I got chills from some of the situations that come up and that I won’t be able to get them out of my head for a while.
Hydra is a chilling but captivating book that will easily have you hooked.
livstreff's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
The second instalment of Six Stories, I think this story definitely picked up the pace and upped the stakes. It was a lot more compelling than the first book, and I thought the murder in question was a lot more intriguing.
The last third of the book was really exciting and I couldn’t stop reading. Sometimes the way that the plot is left open for interpretation in Six Stories can be a little bit frustrating, but it definitely keeps you thinking about the book long after you’ve finished. In Hydra, I really enjoyed the addition of the ‘seventh story’ and the twist that came at the end, it was clever and I wasn’t expecting it.
Excited to carry on with the series.
raymenvv's review against another edition
4.0
Nice read, but a bit disappointed by the ending. Too many questions remain unanswered for me.
dr_aimz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
mpr2000's review against another edition
5.0
This is Six Stories, a poadcast by Scott King who will share with us the case of Arla Macleod. She was incarcerated in a mental-health institution for killing her mother, father-in-law and sister with a hammer. Ready?
This book is brilliant, original and twisted. Matt Wesolowksi did it again, a fabulous book with an engaging plot (even scary sometimes) and surprising. If you are searching for something different this is your book, a must read.
When I started the book I was afraid that it wouldn't be as good as the previous one, Six Stories, but I am glad to say I was wrong. In this case, we know who is the killer, what Scott tries to understand is what made Arla act like she did and why no one prevent it. We will "listen" to 6 people including Arla that will try to explain how was her life, sharing their stories and trying to explain what was happening in Arla's life in the moment of the murder. There are a few important questions in this book that made me think about my life; how parents can help their children when they are growing up? Of course ignoring them is not a good answer, but sometimes trying to talk to them is tricky... And the other one is how can we help someone with a mental illness? I don't have an answer for this one, but I suppose the answer would be talking to an expert?
These are just a few of the questions that popped into my mind after reading this book, but I think that a book that makes us change our way to see life or to change how we act is always good. It means that has affected you and interacted with you, something that I love.
Do you believe in other worlds?
This book is brilliant, original and twisted. Matt Wesolowksi did it again, a fabulous book with an engaging plot (even scary sometimes) and surprising. If you are searching for something different this is your book, a must read.
When I started the book I was afraid that it wouldn't be as good as the previous one, Six Stories, but I am glad to say I was wrong. In this case, we know who is the killer, what Scott tries to understand is what made Arla act like she did and why no one prevent it. We will "listen" to 6 people including Arla that will try to explain how was her life, sharing their stories and trying to explain what was happening in Arla's life in the moment of the murder. There are a few important questions in this book that made me think about my life; how parents can help their children when they are growing up? Of course ignoring them is not a good answer, but sometimes trying to talk to them is tricky... And the other one is how can we help someone with a mental illness? I don't have an answer for this one, but I suppose the answer would be talking to an expert?
These are just a few of the questions that popped into my mind after reading this book, but I think that a book that makes us change our way to see life or to change how we act is always good. It means that has affected you and interacted with you, something that I love.
Do you believe in other worlds?
shaouais's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
pratzistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
So much of these suspense thrillers hinge on the "reveal". No matter how well, or how poorly, the rest of the novel is written, if the reveal is satisfying, it makes up for everything.
Unfortunately, that's not what happens with this one. The writing is brilliant, but it does not cover up for the predictable and still poorly written reveal. I loved the format, and I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series, but this one, it was a little disappointing.
Unfortunately, that's not what happens with this one. The writing is brilliant, but it does not cover up for the predictable and still poorly written reveal. I loved the format, and I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series, but this one, it was a little disappointing.