Scan barcode
orangeyouglad's review against another edition
mysterious
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
4.5
angelica_jardinerica's review against another edition
2.75
I had high hopes of this book after hearing so many positive reviews, but I was quite disappointed. So much of it is bogged down in really long-winded political discourse, with exceptionally long sentences littered with sub-sub-clauses that made me feel like I was reading someone's degree thesis on political theory. All the characters are clichéd to the nth degree, and I groaned at the supposedly intelligent, rebellious - and incredibly irritating - female protagonists who just can't help being attracted to, and seduced by, the psychopathic bad guy, as well as being caught up in typical jealous rivalry. There's way too much telling instead of showing, and there are a few too many after-the-fact explanations as to why a particular character does or knows something. The rather unconvincing, somewhat convoluted plot does gather pace and the tension builds towards the end, but the end was just too simplified to be satisfying.
berti123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
elly_sh's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0
The most interesting part of the book is the internal thoughts and interpersonal tensions between the 2 women main characters- colleagues and friends at a gorilla gardening org. Then a billionaire tech bro comes into the fray and things get dark. The plot seems like it will be a thriller, but doesn’t quite get to be exciting. I think it’s because I wasn’t emotionally invested in anyone. My biggest complaint is that none of the characters change or grow throughout the book, so it sort of lands with a thud at the end. That said, I plowed through it and wanted to know how it would end. Definitely worth reading.
alittlenightread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
kennoncs's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
bibliocamera's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so complicated. I loved it!
New Zealand + Government Research + Ecology + Politics + Character study + Mystery = Amazing plot!
The title of the book comes from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. So, tragedy is coming. It’s inevitable.
Who? Why? When? How?
This book is like a terrible car crash on a six lane interstate highway. But, before that happens the road has to be built, the cars need to be on the road and we need to know why each car will be there at that moment of the crash.
This is a very slow burn. Patience is key. The payoff is worth it. Amazing writing.
For the majority of the book it’s divided into eight character’s different point of view in each chapter.
Plus there are many other characters mentioned or interacting with these main characters. It’s built around who the characters think they are or who they are trying to convince other people they are. What they stand for. What they want. Idealism vs cynicism. Opportunism vs Denial. With a very sinister plot twist, that had me stunned. Dark and horrific and yet achingly authentic.
“The wrong think to do is often much clearer. Wrong is easier to see than right. The real choices in your life aren’t right vs easy but wrong vs hard.”
New Zealand + Government Research + Ecology + Politics + Character study + Mystery = Amazing plot!
The title of the book comes from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. So, tragedy is coming. It’s inevitable.
Who? Why? When? How?
This book is like a terrible car crash on a six lane interstate highway. But, before that happens the road has to be built, the cars need to be on the road and we need to know why each car will be there at that moment of the crash.
This is a very slow burn. Patience is key. The payoff is worth it. Amazing writing.
For the majority of the book it’s divided into eight character’s different point of view in each chapter.
Plus there are many other characters mentioned or interacting with these main characters. It’s built around who the characters think they are or who they are trying to convince other people they are. What they stand for. What they want. Idealism vs cynicism. Opportunism vs Denial. With a very sinister plot twist, that had me stunned. Dark and horrific and yet achingly authentic.
“The wrong think to do is often much clearer. Wrong is easier to see than right. The real choices in your life aren’t right vs easy but wrong vs hard.”
cbmac's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.0