laura__reads's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
I don't even know how to rate this book. Something about it made me want to keep reading, but I don't really know what that something was. I disliked most characters, they were either toxic, racist, or simply crazy, or all of those. The only characters I really cared about were Cait and Sarita (a 4 year old side character). James and, towards the end, Tyson seemed nice enough too, but they weren't angels. I thought the tension between them was somewhat interesting though.
I started reading this book and loved the prologue, it made me want to keep going when I actually just wanted to read the first page. The middle part was- interesting. Lots of racism and fatshaming that wasn't really addressed; characters that were honestly insane; toxic and abusive relationships. And in the middle of it all: a possible murder and, eventually, more than just one.
I wanted to keep reading and find out who the murderer was, and towards the ending the book got quite suspenseful. The reveal at the end didn't shock or surprise me, but I hadn't guessed it by myself either, and it was a good twist. The last quarter of the book is what I enjoyed most, and I have actually thought about rating the book 3.5 stars- or maybe 3.25. Because of all the toxic people and relationships and the whole "let's just insult everyone we meet" thing, I decided to give it 3 stars though.
Would I recommend this book?
If you want to read about toxic relationships between a bunch of rich people and about a murder that needs to be solved (and an ending that is actually quite suspenseful), yes. If you want to fall in love with the characters, no.
The book is medium to fast paced though, I can't really tell you why tbh, but it didn't take me that long to read and I wasn't bored while reading it for the most part. There are definitely better thrillers though.
I started reading this book and loved the prologue, it made me want to keep going when I actually just wanted to read the first page. The middle part was- interesting. Lots of racism and fatshaming that wasn't really addressed; characters that were honestly insane; toxic and abusive relationships. And in the middle of it all: a possible murder and, eventually, more than just one.
I wanted to keep reading and find out who the murderer was, and towards the ending the book got quite suspenseful. The reveal at the end didn't shock or surprise me, but I hadn't guessed it by myself either, and it was a good twist. The last quarter of the book is what I enjoyed most, and I have actually thought about rating the book 3.5 stars- or maybe 3.25. Because of all the toxic people and relationships and the whole "let's just insult everyone we meet" thing, I decided to give it 3 stars though.
Would I recommend this book?
If you want to read about toxic relationships between a bunch of rich people and about a murder that needs to be solved (and an ending that is actually quite suspenseful), yes. If you want to fall in love with the characters, no.
The book is medium to fast paced though, I can't really tell you why tbh, but it didn't take me that long to read and I wasn't bored while reading it for the most part. There are definitely better thrillers though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Includes attempted r*pelilgranolabar32's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.5
The story &idea where good and the setup was pretty cool. But I didn't like the execution. (This might be because i read the german version, but the style/wording was a bit off sometimes.) Although the book failed to make me feel what the characters supposedly felt (a shame since it is a thriller...) i finished it. The ending was good and unexpected.
It was a bit disappointing.
It was a bit disappointing.
franny19222's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
kim_icarus's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
civreader's review
4.0
An outstanding pair of final chapters - really superb ending. Can't remember the last time "realization dawned" while reading a novel.
There were a couple of niggles, though, including a continuity issue towards the end, when I think a chapter may have been moved (it references something that hasn't happened yet, as if it had).
A quickly-paced, slow-burn of a novel. At times it felt like not a whole lot was happening, and I wondered where it was going, but it pays off in a big way at the end.
Very much recommended.
There were a couple of niggles, though, including a continuity issue towards the end, when I think a chapter may have been moved (it references something that hasn't happened yet, as if it had).
A quickly-paced, slow-burn of a novel. At times it felt like not a whole lot was happening, and I wondered where it was going, but it pays off in a big way at the end.
Very much recommended.
vickybrewster's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
etienne02's review
3.0
Légère et divertissante cette lecture ne peut cependant mériter mieux que trois étoiles. Quelques longueurs, des tonnes de clichés, des personnages qui prennent décisions stupides après décisions stupides et une fin tirée par les cheveux. Le concept, sans être très original, était intéressant et la première moitié se passe assez bien, mais dans la deuxième les failles s'élargissent. On dirait un que les auteurs n'avaient pas vraiment de plan et inventait le tout à mesure que l'écriture avançait, certains disent le faire et semblent le faire à merveille, mais ici ça sent l'improvisation par moment. Comme un film de série B, divertissant, mais on passe vite à autre chose. J'ai hésité entre 3/5 et 2,5/5, j'y vais avec trois, mais à la limite.
perpetualgloom's review
2.0
Strong, character led story let down by a weak and unsatisfying twist ending. I had high hopes for this one, after being pleasantly surprised by S.L. Grey's first Downside novel, and was consistently pleased with Underground until the last couple of chapters.
It isn't a whodunit so really didn't need the lame unmasking epilogue, and to have the resolution come purely from outside when the characters had been so responsible for their situation was something of a let down.
It isn't a whodunit so really didn't need the lame unmasking epilogue, and to have the resolution come purely from outside when the characters had been so responsible for their situation was something of a let down.
kittyg's review
2.0
*This is a book I was sent for free from the publisher but this does not affect my opinions*
So I actually didn't request this book, it just turned up one day at my house and I thought it looked interesting, but maybe not like my cup of tea. Once I read the accompanying information sheet and found out that this is a duo of writers, Sarah Lotz and Louis Greenberg, I was more interested as I had heard good things about Sarah, but I still didn't know if it would be my thing.
I'm happy to say that although I had my quibbles with this book I read it right through in one sitting which is something I've not been able to do for quite a while and, I think becuase it's a thriller, it really gripped me and made me want to find out what would happen next.
In this book we're following a world where a big virus has broken out and the world seems destined for disaster. People are dying in various parts of the world and when the virus is close to hitting America, a couple of families from all over are prepared. These families have invested a lot of money into a project called The Sanctum, 'a luxurious, self-sustaining survival condominium situated underground.' When each of these (very different) families arrive at the Sanctum they are there in the hopes of it being a safe place for them to hide away from the Virus, but of course, things go wrong...
What I did like about this book is that we play a lot with stereotypes here. The families all have different ethnic origins and different views on how to behave within the confined space. I liked the mystery element too, as the book went on I found myself more pulled in by the story and wanting to know who was behind some of the grisly-goings-on.
When thinking about what I didn't like about the book it's mostly the racism and the ending. I guess the author's wanted to include some very different characters and put them all together in a place trapped away from the outside world and see how they would react, but there is a lot of racism rampant in the book and this is never really solved.
The ending of the book also felt a bit unsatisfactory to me becuase whilst I was reading I was on the look out for clues and excitement, but this book never gave them to me and I was left at the end with a giant info-dump and a *rolls-eyes* moment becuase the justification for the events was not (in my opinion) very realistic or well-thought-out.
On the whole if you want a dystopian thriller that will keep you reading then this seems to be one, but beware that you may not get the resolution you seek and that there is a lot of nasty name-calling and 'bullying' happening within this book too. Overall a 2.5*s
So I actually didn't request this book, it just turned up one day at my house and I thought it looked interesting, but maybe not like my cup of tea. Once I read the accompanying information sheet and found out that this is a duo of writers, Sarah Lotz and Louis Greenberg, I was more interested as I had heard good things about Sarah, but I still didn't know if it would be my thing.
I'm happy to say that although I had my quibbles with this book I read it right through in one sitting which is something I've not been able to do for quite a while and, I think becuase it's a thriller, it really gripped me and made me want to find out what would happen next.
In this book we're following a world where a big virus has broken out and the world seems destined for disaster. People are dying in various parts of the world and when the virus is close to hitting America, a couple of families from all over are prepared. These families have invested a lot of money into a project called The Sanctum, 'a luxurious, self-sustaining survival condominium situated underground.' When each of these (very different) families arrive at the Sanctum they are there in the hopes of it being a safe place for them to hide away from the Virus, but of course, things go wrong...
What I did like about this book is that we play a lot with stereotypes here. The families all have different ethnic origins and different views on how to behave within the confined space. I liked the mystery element too, as the book went on I found myself more pulled in by the story and wanting to know who was behind some of the grisly-goings-on.
When thinking about what I didn't like about the book it's mostly the racism and the ending. I guess the author's wanted to include some very different characters and put them all together in a place trapped away from the outside world and see how they would react, but there is a lot of racism rampant in the book and this is never really solved
Spoiler
unless you count by killing off the racist character which I personally felt was a bit of a cop out.The ending of the book also felt a bit unsatisfactory to me becuase whilst I was reading I was on the look out for clues and excitement, but this book never gave them to me and I was left at the end with a giant info-dump and a *rolls-eyes* moment becuase the justification for the events was not (in my opinion) very realistic or well-thought-out.
On the whole if you want a dystopian thriller that will keep you reading then this seems to be one, but beware that you may not get the resolution you seek and that there is a lot of nasty name-calling and 'bullying' happening within this book too. Overall a 2.5*s