A review by martareader
The Shards by Bret Easton Ellis

challenging dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

I've spent over half a month reading this book and, although the beggining was rough and I considered dnfing, I decides to push through and finish the beast that it is. The book is pseudoo-biographical which makes you really get gripped to the story and the unreliable thoughts of the main character as he recalls a mystery that took place while he was still in high school. One of the highlights of the story is the way it hooks you despite of the slow beggining. There is a darkness that impregnates the novel that makes you wanna continue reading in hopes of figuring out what really is going on. Another high is the imperfect and sometimes horrible characters that make up the novel. Seeing these people through the narrator's eyes makes you wonder their motives, way of acting and how the way they are depicted might be influenced by the main character's voice. Lastly, I really enjoyed the overall mystery, the horrible murders that took place (the descriptions of which are very detail at some points so bear that in mind before reading) make you wonder what's gonna happen next and who is safe or isn't. On the other hand, if I had to name a few flaws i'd say that the novel feels at some points unnecessarily long and that the ending isn't really satisfying after so many pages.

Overall i'd recommend this book if it intrigues you and if you like thrillers that make you question the narrative you're reading.