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jlswitchblades's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
I'm not a stem girlie but the science in this is chef's kiss. What a rollercoaster of a book, terrifying and beautifully done. Tamsin and Lachlan's sexual tension drove me up the wall in the best way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Medical trauma
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.inamerata's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
4.5
The only me is me, are you sure the only you is you?
Legit, a lot of fun. I enjoyed the messy characters and their batshit power plays for control -- both Tasmin/Lachlan, and Tasmin/Prime. The way Tasmin's growing paranoia mirrors the city/her basement's physical descent was great, and just all the ways lies/truth/control/sense of self are explored. There were soo many good conversations and I loved the title's source.
The ending was somewhat abrupt and I was left with some questions, although leaving them unanswered feels appropriate. Overall, a fun read, especially with the bestie.
Legit, a lot of fun. I enjoyed the messy characters and their batshit power plays for control -- both Tasmin/Lachlan, and Tasmin/Prime. The way Tasmin's growing paranoia mirrors the city/her basement's physical descent was great, and just all the ways lies/truth/control/sense of self are explored. There were soo many good conversations and I loved the title's source.
The ending was somewhat abrupt and I was left with some questions, although leaving them unanswered feels appropriate. Overall, a fun read, especially with the bestie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gore and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death and Suicidal thoughts
Characters experience memory loss, sometimes worsened by gaslighting. A character has agoraphobia and has panic attacks. A character loses an eye and the injury is described in some detail. There is amateur "surgery" donekylosten's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
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
kt_jams's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Injury/Injury detail
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
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
caidyn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Another great book by this author! It was great and such a great mix of dystopian sci-fi and horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail