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panic_at_the_bookshelf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The whole concept of the book creeped me out. However when things got explained I felt as if I missed something or was too dumb to understand, which is not a nice feeling to end a book. In a way it is rather disappointing, because I still have no idea on what exactly happened. It was a rather fast read and I was eager to pick up the book and see how things would evolve.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcohol
littleyarngoblin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was an interesting one for me. I really liked Starling's other book, The Death of Jane Lawrence, but this one had a completely different atmosphere. At times, I got quite bored and frustrated with the corporate science speak, but that is a part of the main character. The book, while atmospheric, just didn't grab me the same way as TDJL did. While the idea of the doppelganger was cool, and I enjoyed the not-quite-wrapped-up threads at the end, I'm afraid it doesn't make my top 10 for this year. I'd recommend it if you like books about characters who have questionable senses of reality.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Blood, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
Content warning for agoraphobia, if that's triggering to anyone.smolhandsdan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
megj23's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
katielouisef's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
annamorgan27's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Blood, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting
gothytim's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Blood
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was really excited to pick up this new release to enjoy during spooky season.
"Last to Leave the Room" is a science fiction mystery about a scientist and a mysterious door. Dr. Tamsin Rivers is a highly successful and regarded scientist who is on the team to help uncover why the city of San Siroco is sinking. During her time working at home, she becomes fascinated with the dimensions of her basement because they do not make sense given her home's blueprint. While she is studying the basement she discovers a door that she did not notice before, and from the door emerges a doppelgänger of her.
I had really high expectations that I was going to love this book, unfortunately, I did not really get into the story. Tamsin is an interesting point of view to read from because I found her to be really unlikeable. She is so driven by her work; she comes across as detached from humanity and oftentimes she is cruel to those around her. Her mind is impressive, and I enjoyed seeing such an intelligent woman, but I ended up not being invested in her story, and unfortunately just not caring what happened to her.
I do think the author explored Tamsin's descent into madness quite well. She slowly seems to be losing her mind, and it greatly impacts her ability to function as a "normal" human, and to adequately complete her work.
Ultimately, the idea of a doppelgänger was a disappointment to me. I felt like Tamsin should have been more shocked to find a clone of herself, and especially as a scientist, she would have realistically handled the situation differently. I think more realistically she would have taken the clone into her office so the team could have studied what was going on.
Overall, this book felt mediocre. I would probably recommend this to a very specific audience, and I will likely pick up more from Caitlin Starling in the future.
"Last to Leave the Room" is a science fiction mystery about a scientist and a mysterious door. Dr. Tamsin Rivers is a highly successful and regarded scientist who is on the team to help uncover why the city of San Siroco is sinking. During her time working at home, she becomes fascinated with the dimensions of her basement because they do not make sense given her home's blueprint. While she is studying the basement she discovers a door that she did not notice before, and from the door emerges a doppelgänger of her.
I had really high expectations that I was going to love this book, unfortunately, I did not really get into the story. Tamsin is an interesting point of view to read from because I found her to be really unlikeable. She is so driven by her work; she comes across as detached from humanity and oftentimes she is cruel to those around her. Her mind is impressive, and I enjoyed seeing such an intelligent woman, but I ended up not being invested in her story, and unfortunately just not caring what happened to her.
I do think the author explored Tamsin's descent into madness quite well. She slowly seems to be losing her mind, and it greatly impacts her ability to function as a "normal" human, and to adequately complete her work.
Ultimately, the idea of a doppelgänger was a disappointment to me. I felt like Tamsin should have been more shocked to find a clone of herself, and especially as a scientist, she would have realistically handled the situation differently. I think more realistically she would have taken the clone into her office so the team could have studied what was going on.
Overall, this book felt mediocre. I would probably recommend this to a very specific audience, and I will likely pick up more from Caitlin Starling in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
sylvestra's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Confinement, Death, and Blood
sarah984's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This took everything I liked about The Luminous Dead and dialled it up to eleven. Claustrophobic, tense, ambiguous, and the characters are great. It dragged a little bit about halfway through, but the ending was worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Medical content, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Gore, Blood, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit