Scan barcode
tomeworm's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
themysterymaven's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
This book provided me with a great dose of escapism. The author has, for the second time, created such a unique setting in which to immerse myself - first, with the sanatorium set in the mountains and now, an island expanse beset with a new retreat, recognized for it’s reaper-shaped rock cliff and its namesake curse. The story becomes a sort-of locked room mystery as guests start dying in a crescendo of momentum, leaving you to wonder if it’s the land’s past at work or something new, awakened.
I sincerely hope Sarah Pearse continues crafting these creative places. And I strongly sense Elin Warner will return. There remain pieces of her history we have yet to fully solve, and I’m excited to see where she next lands.
As for The Retreat, it’s a who-dunnit on vacation, mixing forth a fun concoction of family dramas, past tragedies, and a lot of possible suspects and motives. At times, I felt a bit overwhelmed at the sheer number of avenues shooting off, which equally work to keep you guessing. Overall, I enjoyed my stay on the island, trying to outrun and outwit the reach of The Reaper!
This book provided me with a great dose of escapism. The author has, for the second time, created such a unique setting in which to immerse myself - first, with the sanatorium set in the mountains and now, an island expanse beset with a new retreat, recognized for it’s reaper-shaped rock cliff and its namesake curse. The story becomes a sort-of locked room mystery as guests start dying in a crescendo of momentum, leaving you to wonder if it’s the land’s past at work or something new, awakened.
I sincerely hope Sarah Pearse continues crafting these creative places. And I strongly sense Elin Warner will return. There remain pieces of her history we have yet to fully solve, and I’m excited to see where she next lands.
As for The Retreat, it’s a who-dunnit on vacation, mixing forth a fun concoction of family dramas, past tragedies, and a lot of possible suspects and motives. At times, I felt a bit overwhelmed at the sheer number of avenues shooting off, which equally work to keep you guessing. Overall, I enjoyed my stay on the island, trying to outrun and outwit the reach of The Reaper!
tuomosuominen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
cheryldptr's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
Slow story and took a long time to get to the correct suspect. Too many red herrings.
restus's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jessica_reading_writing's review against another edition
5.0
Overview: Everyone knows I loved The Sanatorium so this second book by this author has been on my radar a while! I devoured this book in 3 days (which is fast considering I have a needy child who I'm currently potty training). I love how we find out a bit more about Elin and delve deeper into her characterisation. It flicked back and forth between her POV and the other characters on the island, speaking of which, it was a fascinating setting and one which gave me serious creepy vibes...
Good points: Pretty much everything. The writing is suspenseful and easy to read. There was a fair amount of description but I really enjoyed reading every word. Each chapter ended on a mini cliff hanger and I didn't guess the ending...oh yeah..the ending...as if you would leave it there Sarah! Now I have to wait longer!
Not so good points: In all honesty I don't have anything negative to say other than the fact that the ending left me hanging...grrrr!
A fabulous thriller that every thriller fan should read.
Good points: Pretty much everything. The writing is suspenseful and easy to read. There was a fair amount of description but I really enjoyed reading every word. Each chapter ended on a mini cliff hanger and I didn't guess the ending...oh yeah..the ending...as if you would leave it there Sarah! Now I have to wait longer!
Not so good points: In all honesty I don't have anything negative to say other than the fact that the ending left me hanging...grrrr!
A fabulous thriller that every thriller fan should read.
ellajasminex's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sarahlwalden's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
- liked the start of the premise of the plot
- liked the setting
- felt like some parts of what the character was feeling was kind of just like incorrect with no kind of redemption part, e.g.the boyfriend completely gaslit her into thinking she did something really wrong as if she wasn’t at work, literally doing her job, and she was like yeah it is my fault, when it completely wasn’t. which is completely fine if she has like a moment of clarity later on of realising he made her feel horrific for no reason, but there was none of that, and even parts with the sister it happened
-the parts of the ‘bigger picture’, with the case she worked on previously and the tweets just felt like it confused the plot and made it harder to follow
- some of the dialogue felt not natural, like things/flow that wouldn’t be said in reality
- liked the setting
- felt like some parts of what the character was feeling was kind of just like incorrect with no kind of redemption part, e.g.
-
- some of the dialogue felt not natural, like things/flow that wouldn’t be said in reality