Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 68

The Clockwork Girl by Anna Mazzola - Book Review

The Clockwork Girl by Anna MazzolaPublication Date: 03rd March 2022
Genre: Dark Historical Fiction 3.8 Stars One Liner: Dark, disturbing, and sinister. 

Paris, 1750: The winter is brutal, but people are worse. Madeline’s life isn’t any better, but she knows things could be worse. When she gets a chance to make things better, Madeline agrees to put her life at risk. She needs to find out what goes on in the clockmaker’s house and report it to those who hired her for the job. It’s her only chance at freedom, no matter how much the house and the clockmaker scare her. 

Dr. Reinhart is a master scientist and wonderful clockmaker. His creations are life-like and show signs of being much more than automata. The bejeweled rabbits and birds might be mesmerizing, but how could the man create these pieces with utter perfection? What is his secret? 

Veronique is Dr. Reinhart’s seventeen-year-old daughter. She just came back home after years at the convent. Veronique wants to prove her worth and how she is capable of being trained as her father’s assistant and successor. Reinhart trains her, but Veronique knows that her future isn’t certain until he is satisfied with her worth. 

Jeanne, aka Madame de Pompadour, is King Louis’s mistress, one among the many, but with enough control and network to maybe keep her place. However, things get sinister as her position and life are at risk. And what about the larger conspiracy and the King’s love for ‘certain things’? 

The world outside seems to be in turmoil. Little kids go missing from the streets. Madeline realizes that she might have uncovered the secret. Will she make it through the day when the dark secrets lead her to the heart of Versailles? 

What I Like:

The story comes from three third-person POVs- Madeline, Veronique, and Jeanne. They are three different women from different backgrounds and with different approaches to life. This added to the narration and kept things interesting even when the pacing was slow. The Paris in the book is not glitzy or glamorous. It is dirty, sick, smelly, and simmering a rebellion. The mood of the public (and the response of the royalty) was well established throughout. The story combines two major incidents from the period- the automata and the vanishing children. The blending is seamless and sensible. The final reveal doesn’t surprise me because it’s a logical progression. The ending is not neatly tied up in a bow. Yes, it is hopeful and positive (that’s why the book has 4 stars from me), yet certain crucial elements were realistic and in line with history. There’s no gore or graphical description of brutality, assault, and death. Still, it is present throughout the book. The scenes with Dr. Reinhart working on the clocks and creations are cool. I enjoyed reading those.  

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

The first half is slow. While some of it was necessary to establish the setting, a few incidents were unnecessarily dragged. Some of the reveals were easy to guess. Leaving them until the end tilted the balance. A majority of the action takes place in the last 15% of the book. There’s too much information at once, that too towards the end. The story is dark throughout. There isn’t any respite until the end. This is an advantage and a disadvantage. People looking for lighter moments will be disappointed. There were times I wanted something hopeful to keep me going. 

To sum up, The Clockwork Girl is a dark and disturbing read set in the dirty and desolate Paris of 1750. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Orion Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#TheClockworkGirl #NetGalley 

*****

P.S: I love the cover! 

The Paris Network by Siobhan Curham - Book Review

The Paris Network by Siobhan CurhamGenre: WWII, Historical, Contemporary, Dual Timeline 3.3 Stars One Liner: A few hits and misses

*Minority Opinion*

Paris, 1940: Laurence has her bookshop, The Book Dispensary, and sells books, prescribing poems/ quotes to the buyers. The talk of war seems nothing more than a distant nightmare until it cuts too close to home. The Nazi army camps in her village, and Laurence is determined to not bow down. Becoming a part of the Resistance seems like a natural thing to do. 

But when an unexpected development puts her in grave danger, Laurence knows she has little to no chances of survival. 

America, 1993: Jeanne discovers that her life wasn’t what she assumed it to be. Being a female cop forced into early retirement before her 50th birthday was bad enough. But the truth is disturbing and fills her with questions. What is the story behind the bookstore she inherited? What does a tiny village in France have to do with her? Where do Laurence and Jeanne’s lives merge and how? 

What I Like: 

The portrayal of resistance is beautiful. It isn’t just about picking up arms or getting into physical fights. Laurence shows how her kind of resistance is equally important. After reading graphic descriptions of the atrocities multiple times, a lighter version was enough for me. Books play a vital role in the story. There’s a list of the resistance book club reads at the end. The side characters are intriguing in Laurence’s track. Together, they create the atmosphere needed for the setting.  There’s no forced love track for Jeanne, which I appreciate. 

What Didn’t Work For Me: 

The dual timeline books always have the risk of imbalance, and it happened here. The focus is more on the past (which I like). The contemporary track feels more like a prop. In fact, the contemporary track could be removed and substituted with an epilogue (either in the third person or from Wendell’s POV). That would make the book even better (not to mention cut it down from 400+ pages to around 350). 

I understand the importance of hope, but reading so many hopefully’s annoyed me. The same goes for the number of times we are reminded about Jeanne being a cop. It makes no difference to the story. 

I’m not sure if I missed or if there’s no proper reason provided for Gigi’s behavior (whatever is shared and hinted at is not enough). Her character arc is odd, and I still don’t understand why she has so much space. 

To sum up, The Paris Network is a decent book based on true events but doesn’t have the wow factor. Pretty much a mixed bag for me. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#NetGalley #TheParisNetwork 

The Bluebonnet Battle by Carolyn Brown - Book Review

The Bluebonnet Battle by Carolyn BrownPublication Date: 8th March 2022
Genre: Contemporary, Family Drama, Romance 4.2 Stars One Liner: Lighthearted and enjoyable.  

*****

Liddy Latham, a seventy-something woman, belongs to the Taylor family that owns more than half the land in Bonnet, a small town in Texas. She is cheery, determined, loving, and famous for arranging funeral dinners. 

Matilda Monroe comes from the Davis family that has a 30-year plus feud with the Taylor family. Matilda arrives back in Bonnet, intent on destroying Liddy’s life and family. While Liddy’s family backs and supports her all the way, Matilda doesn’t seem to find allies in her own family. After all, not everyone is stupid. That doesn’t deter her, though. 

As if the feud isn’t enough, Matilda’s son, Nick, and Liddy’s niece, Amelia, get attracted to each other. The relationship is doomed even before it begins. But hey, the heart wants what it wants. 

Can the families, especially the women put an end to the feud for their kids’ happiness? Can Nick and Amelia’s relationship survive when the town is busy snooping on them and betting on the result? 

I’ve read books with Southern humor before, and this one fits perfectly. Even though the book deals with some heavy topics, it is still lighthearted and funny. 

There are so many mentions of brownies, lemon pies, lemon meringues, tacos, and other food that I was glad to read it at night after dinner.  

The characters are distinct and have their quirks. In a book with so many people, it gets easier to keep track of characters. 

This is a dialogue-heavy book. People talk… a lot. This can be an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the reader. 

The first 20-25% is a little slow. Characters appear one after another, and the story starts with death. Once you get hang of the characters, the story picks up pace. 

The writing style is casual and easy, but the formatting felt a little odd. More than a few times, I had to reread to understand who spoke a dialogue. 

The story is kind of Romeo and Juliet retelling. Even if we didn’t guess it, the author made sure to use the reference at least a dozen times. 

There are no mandatory twists or misunderstands for the sake of it. No checklist to adhere to. That’s another plus. 

Nick is a great guy (and he loves cats). He is compassionate but knows his mother well. He doesn’t let her walk all over him. 

Amelia is a cheerful and happy character with tiny hints of insecurities from the past. I like how she doesn’t spend hours dwelling on these aspects. 

Liddy’s move at the climax was a surprise I enjoyed the most. The ending, too, is practical and a little mushy. 

To sum up, The Bluebonnet Battle is a lighthearted book that deals with some heavy topics without any drama. After all, a family feud is dramatic enough. ;) 

Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Murder at Primrose Cottage by Merryn Allingham

Murder at Primrose Cottage by Merryn AllinghamFlora Steele Mystery #3 (Standalone)
Publication Date: 18th March 2022Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 4 Stars One-Liner: Cozy mystery when you don’t want to tax your grey cells. 

*****Jack and Flora are back again in the third installment of the series. The duo arrives in Cornwall to research Jack’s book and enjoy the sights in the country. However, Flora stumbles over a dead body right behind the cottage they rented, that too on the very next day of their arrival. 

Now, Flora cannot resist a mystery, more so since the local police seem to be doing nothing. Jack wants to work on his book, though he manages to assist Flora and get some research done. When the reason for the crime forks into the past (the time of WWII) and the victim’s personal life, it’s up to Flora and Jack to find the actual cause of the crime and identify the killer. 

Of course, the killer is on guard and has attempted to attack the duo more than once. The duo needs to keep themselves safe and unearth the killer. A tough task in a different country, isn’t it? 

My Observations: 

It’s a small book (268 pages) and has a steady pace throughout. Moreover, it reads well as a standalone (and there isn’t too much information dump about the previous books). The writing in this one felt a little different (I found way too many adverbs), though the tone hasn’t changed. The characters are pretty much black and white. If you want layered and complex characters, this is not the book. But if you want something that adheres to the cozy mystery checklist, pick this book. The descriptions of places in Cornwall were beautiful. I enjoyed the scenic beauty of the locations. The mystery is neither strong nor weak. I guessed the killer more on instinct, though the clues confirmed my guess soon enough. There are no unexpected twists, no melodrama, or heavy stuff. There’s some progress in the personal track, but it’s limited to one character. The book ends with a sort of bait to keep the reader guessing about what the next book will be about, which I rather liked. The current case is complete, and the new one will start fresh in the next one. 

To Sum up, Murder at Primrose Cottage is a good continuation of the series and works well as a breather between heavy reads. Pick it up if you want a cozy mystery that doesn’t require too much effort to read. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#NetGalley #MurderatPrimroseCottageAFloraSteeleMysteryBook3  

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross - Book Review

A River Enchanted by Rebecca RossElements of Cadence #1
Genre: Fantasy, Romance 3.2 Stars One Liner: Great premise; needed stronger world-building. 

The Isle of Cadence and enchantments go hand in hand. The ‘folk’ are the spirits belonging to the sea, earth, and wind. They can help, save, or kill you, and you never know what they’ll do. The Isle is divided into the East and West, where enmity runs deeper than the river that flows between them. 

Adaira is the Heiress of the East and the last of the Tamerlaine clan. Her people are suffering, and little girls started to go missing. Not knowing what to do, she sends for Jack, her childhood nemesis, to bring his harp and play for the ‘folk’. 

Jack, the bard, has left Cadence and moved to the mainland ten years ago. He doesn’t want to go back to where he was hated and doubted for being illegitimate with no father’s name to back him. He visits Cadence with a firm intention to get back to his life as soon as possible. But when he and Adaira begin to work together, Jack realizes Cadence is more than his birthplace. 

Torin is the guard of the east coast bound to the land by blood. He does his duty without remorse or doubt. But when a tragedy befalls, Torin has to choose between his past actions and his future. Sidra, his wife, is a warm, generous, skilled, and wonderful healer. But their relationship has its issues. Can the couple build a bond that keeps them together? 

How do the four of them solve the mystery of the missing girls? What happens to the feud between the West and the East? What’s the price to pay for a better future? 

What I Like: 

The element of magic is beautiful and interwoven into the storyline. The enchanted plaids, weapons, etc., are interesting. Torin and Sidra’s relationship arc is handled very well. It added a lot of emotional value to the book. Adaira and Jack’s arc doesn’t feel as good but is believable. For me, Torin and Sidra are the main characters of the book.  The characters are pretty decent. None of them were boring, though there’s scope to add to the depth. The book says adult fantasy, but it can be read by (older) teens. They might enjoy it more than I did. 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

The writing is slow. I was prepared for it when I saw a couple of reviewers mentioning it. Imagine reaching 50% of the book, and nothing major happens. It’s just a combination of smaller incidents. There could’ve been more tension between Adaira and Jack. While romance is not the main focus of the story, their relationship plays a vital role. The world-building could be better. We know it’s an enchanted land, but it doesn’t feel alive or compelling except when the ‘folk’ appear. The setting should be prominent in fantasy. The concept feels like historical fantasy. However, the writing is almost modern. It didn’t affect me much, but it might put off some readers. This is a big book (480 pages), and the writing meanders quite a bit. I didn’t know it was the first book in the series until a couple of days before I started reading (that part was updated later on GR). The ending, ugh, reminded me of Indian daily soaps. Not the kind I like at all! To sum up, A River Enchanted has a beautiful premise but needed a more compelling setting and a crisper narration. 

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperVoyager, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

*****

P.S: I love the cover (the UK version, I think). The other one is meh.  

Sundial by Catriona Ward - Book Review

Sundial by Catriona WardPublication Date: 4th March 2022
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Social Drama 4 Stars One-Liner: Twisted and triggering 

Rob only wished to lead a normal life with a normal family. She gets it somehow, though the normality is nothing more than an illusion. Life with a narcissistic husband is never easy. But things could’ve been better if Callie, the elder daughter, didn’t start talking to imaginary friends and collecting tiny bones. 

Fear pushes Rob back to Sundial, her childhood home in the Mojave Desert. She wants Callie to know who she actually is and why it is important for them to become normal. However, Rob discovers new secrets in Sundial and is torn between having to choose between her two daughters. 

Callie is worried about her mother’s instability and her father’s ‘bad-monkeying’ ways. She doesn’t know what to say or do as Rob talks about the past. She is equally worried about her little sister, Annie. 

Irving, Rob’s husband, is getting restless. He has a powerful hold on Rob. But what if she breaks through? 

Can Rob and Callie’s stay at Sundial be a chance to close the door to the past and move on to a better future? Can broken people still have a normal life? 

My Observations: 

• The blurb calls the story wild, twisted, and dark. I agree with it. I kept wondering if there was even a single ‘normal’ character in the book. 

• This quote sums up the book in many ways.

“Kids are mirrors, reflecting back everything that happens to them. You’ve got to make sure they’re surrounded by good things.” 

• This is my first read by the author, and I admit I’m intrigued by the characters she creates. It’s so hard to like them, but I wanted to know what happened. 

• The book has a lot of triggers, so proceed with caution. From animals to humans, bad things happen way too causally in the story. I can see why it’s classified as horror. The actions are no doubt horrifying. 

• The beginning is slow but starts with a bang. We are pulled into the web of secrets, cruelty, and hatred from the first page. The slow pace makes the dark stuff even worse. Luckily, it picks up pace after 50%, or I maybe got used to the writing and could read faster. 

• There’s a story within the story in the book, which TBH didn’t keep me interested. I read the first two bits with curiosity but started to skim through these bits afterward. I can kind of understand why these chapters were included. But take them out, and the book will still be the same. 

• The climax was my favorite. I was waiting for it to happen. The ending left me in two minds. It’s perfect for the story (which is more important). You can’t, after all, neatly tie up everything and a cute little bow. However, the HEA fan in me wanted something more hopeful. Oh, well! 

• There are a couple of subtle hints to guess the twists, making them more believable. I prefer such twists rather than the ones that come out of nowhere and nullify whatever happened until that point. 

To sum up, Sundial is a dark tale of twisted minds where evil is a natural part of almost everyone’s lives. Oh, I enjoyed Callie’s POV more than Rob’s. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Nightfire, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#NetGalley #Sundial 

*****

P.S: Read this book only when you’re in the right frame of mind. It’s not mind-blowing or terrifying but can push things over the edge if you are not prepared for the triggers. 

Airavata-1Microbloghop by Srivalli

Airavata-1Microbloghop 

Author Name:Srivalli Rekha

Story Title:Renu in Haritham

About the Author:An MBA graduate, Srivalli Rekha also has an MA in English Literature. She loves to write, blog, cook, take pictures, draw and craft silly things. Nature is her greatest inspiration. Books and music are her favorite companions. A freelance content writer during the day, she devours books at night and is a reviewer at NetGalley, BookSirens, and The Writers Workout. 

Her works have been a part of several anthologies (eBooks and paperback publications). Srivalli is a co-founder of The Hive Publishers, an indie publishing collective. Violets in Hand, The House of Justice, and Pebbles in the Grassare her self-published eBooks are available on Amazon.

Find her on Goodreads | Instagram

***

My Experience

I love children’s fiction as much as I enjoy creating dark stories (weird, I know). The forest has been my favorite setting, no matter which genre I choose. It’s no surprise that the prompt for Airavata fit right into my comfort zone.

Renu in Haritham is the story of a young and bratty elephant who migrated to Haritham with his herd. Renu can’t help but bully and trouble the smaller animals. He doesn’t care for the old either. But all it takes is one lesson to mend his ways.

The allure of children’s stories has always been the simplicity of thought and approach. I did the same here and pretty much followed the template of a middle-grade short story. Writing stories for kids is rewarding and peaceful. Renu in Haritham was no exception. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

This blog post is part of the Airavata -1Microbloghop hosted by MeeraVBarath.

***

About Airavata(taken from Amazon)

We wanted to see “an elephant,” in different shades of prosperity. When we imagine an elephant, our hands take the form of the trunk and we sway with grace, flushing out the happy hormones and letting the neurons within us to dance. Whether it’s in our school days or as a parent, I think most of us love to share stories related to an Elephant. The very mention brings out not the gigantism but the grace of carrying our mind and body gracefully just like an elephant. Hence Pachyderm Tales and Mayaakatha joined hands with writers and storytellers around the globe to create this beautiful anthology.

Edited by

    Deepti Sharma

    Preeti S Manaktala

    Shristee Singh

Foreword by Siddhartha Satpathy

Cover Design by Satinder Ahuja

Grab your copy of Airavata Paperback and Kindle version from Amazon.

***

#Airavata                    #AiravataMicroblogHop                    #Airavata1bloghop

#PachydermTales                   #UkiyotoPublishing               #Mayaakathawherestoriesdance

#AiravataMayaakathaPachydermtales 

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh - Book Review

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

Publication Date: 22nd Feb 2022

Genre: YA Fantasy, Retelling 

3.75 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining; suitable for young teens as well 

Mina’s homeland has been suffering from storms, floods, and losses for years. Every year, they choose the most beautiful girl and offer her as the Sea God’s Bride. Myth has it that the true bride will get the Sea God to fall in love and save the village. 

That year, it was Shim Cheong’s turn. But Mina knows that her brother Joon and Shim love each other. She doesn’t want them to go through heartbreak and decides to offer herself as the Sea God’s Bride.

The trouble, however, is that Mina is still sixteen (the brides have to be eighteen) and doesn’t particularly possess any special talents or beauty (according to others). Moreover, her entry into the underwater realm unleashes chaos, and the Sea God is not who she thought he’d be. 

Matters are further complicated when Mina meets the mysterious Lord Shin and realizes she has to choose. Her decision could save her family and villagers. But she’s not sure of anything yet. How can Mina break the curse when there are too many immortals willing to do anything to prevent her, especially when a mortal like her can’t live in the land of spirits for long? 

What I Like: 

Retellings are tricky, but this one works well. I read a summary of the original before starting the book. It helped a lot. The descriptions of the underwater world are beautiful. I had no problem visualizing the setting.Side characters like Mask, Dai, Namgi, and Kirin were interesting. I enjoyed Mina’s interaction with them.The aspect of storytelling plays a major role in the book. The grandmother’s role was heartwarming. What are we if not for the stories we make and share! The blurb calls it a feminist retelling, and the story does justice to it. Mina is the hero of the book, without demeaning other male characters.  

What Could Have Been Better: 

I know this is a YA book, but the pacing is uneven and bumpy. Even the writing is a little all over the place. The ARC is an uncorrected proof copy, so I hope these issues would have been ironed out to an extent in the final copy. There is some character development, but we still don’t fully know Mina, the Sea God, or Shin. The pacing needed to be better to let Mina bloom and grow (despite the limitations). I’m not sure if there is romance. There seems to be some, but it’s not explored. Yeah, the characters are teens, I know. That doesn’t mean they can’t interact or have conversations to establish their relationship. Most of it was ‘read between the lines’ or implied and left to the readers to assume. The declaration of love seemed a little abrupt, though we know it’s inevitable. 

To sum up, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is an enjoyable retelling with some good moments. Go with low expectations, and you’ll enjoy it more. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Feiwel & Friends, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#NetGalley 

The Girl at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles - Book Review

The Girl at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz EelesHeaven's Cove Book #3 (Standalone)Publication Date: 28th Feb 2022Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Romance4.2 Stars One Liner: Heartwarming  

*****

Freya arrives in Heavens Cove looking for a fresh start. It’s not easy at thirty-nine when she is still recovering from her broken marriage and the sadness of losing a job she loved. 

Belinda is a force to reckon with in Heavens Cove. While she keeps things up to date in the small town, her love for gossip and lack of tact make everyone wary of her. It doesn’t help that Freya happens to be Belinda’s half-sister. She’s desperate to get away, and Belinda promised her an escape. 

Kathleen is now eighty but can never forget the pain of her past. The Driftwood House has memories she can’t let go of, and hiding the past for so long has been a burden.

Freya becomes a temporary caregiver to Kathleen and stays at home, thanks to Belinda. Of course, Kathleen’s son, Ryan, is annoyed by the arrangement. He and his pre-teen daughter Chloe moved to the town after his wife’s death in an accident. He is torn between caring for his aging mother, earning an income, and trying to deal with a confused 12yo. 

After a few hits and misses, they all seem to get together. Kathleen easily warms up to Freya and shares her long-buried secret. Freya knows she needs to help Kathleen. But she also worries about keeping the secret from Ryan. 

What happened back then to Kathleen? How does it impact the future? Can Freya and Ryan get another chance at a happy relationship? How can Chloe decide what’s best for her and be an assertive not-so-little girl? 

My Observations: 

Like the previous two books in the series, this one has recurring characters but can be read as a standalone (I forgot most of them anyway). The writing flows well and keeps the momentum going. There are a couple of mandatory vampish characters. No pretense. You see what you get. Pretty much in line with the checklist. The leading women are likable and sweet. Kathleen is gritty, vulnerable, and a typical eighty-year-old. Freya is slightly more vulnerable but is assertive enough in her calm way. The story alters between Freya, Ryan, and Chloe’s limited third-person POVs. This gives us a good glimpse into the confused state of Chloe. I felt sorry for the poor girl. Quite a few miscommunications and misunderstandings happen throughout the book. The saving grace is that none are left too long or stretched. The characters talk and resolve it in a couple of chapters. That’s a relief. The book also deals with the Magdalene Laundries-type of the house for unwed pregnant girls. Though it doesn’t take the primary space in the book, it is an integral part of the story. It is yet another reminder of the double standards of society.Having read the previous two books in the series, I felt this one was much better written and had stronger narration. Though there are some expected tropes, the story doesn’t drag or feel boring at any time. 

To sum up, The Girl at the Last House Before the Sea is a heartwarming story of second chances and building family relationships. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#TheGirlattheLastHouseBeforetheSeaHeavensCoveBook3 #NetGalley 

Disappeared by Laura Jarratt - Book Review

Disappeared by Laura JarrattPublication Date: 17th Feb 2022
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Family Drama 4.2 Stars One-Liner: Gripping, emotional, and fast-paced

*****

Cerys leaves her family one day and vows never to return. She sets the car ablaze after reaching the hillside that was her home. But she realizes that life has other plans for her as she meets Lily and Sammy, Lily’s four-year-old. 

Lily is running from her life and is desperate to keep her child safe. Bogged down by insecurities and vulnerabilities, she finds comfort and strength in Cerys. The two women forge a bond and have a fresh start in a small Welsh town. They still have their secrets and cannot reveal them. 

Moreover, the past is never behind. They know they can’t ignore it for long. Sooner or later, their pasts will catch up with them. Are Cerys and Lily strong enough to face the past and build new lives? What do they have to sacrifice in return? 

My Observations: 

The story is fast-paced even when it moves between characters and their pasts. The story is told in limited third person POV of both the women, Cerys and Lily. This gives us enough info into their thoughts and background. Cerys and Lily are vulnerable and likable. I could empathize with their situations and kept rooting for them. Lily, in particular, had my heart, poor girl. The side characters like Dilys and Gavin were just as interesting. While Kate and Matt were pretty much one-dimensional, they served the purpose. Dilys is a favorite. I like independent, grumpy old characters with a wise head and a soft heart. They are the best. Dilys added a lot of warmth and depth to the story. Danny is your typical narcissist. While I’m glad that his brutality wasn’t explicitly described, I did want to see more of his dark side. The manipulations could’ve been shown better. Rhys’ track seemed a little too quick given what Lily went through. I’d have liked it more if the pacing was slower for this. The bonding between Cerys, Lily, Dilys, and Sammy is beautiful to read. It feels real and tangible. This is probably the highlight of the book. While some of their decisions don’t make sense, I could empathize with them and understand their reasons. Moreover, I didn’t have to linger on it for long, thanks to the steady pace. The book ends on a happy note, which is always a plus for me. My only grouse is that I couldn’t know what happened to Danny. I so wanted him to suffer (a lot). 

The book is marked as women’s fiction but has the word ‘thriller’ in the blurb. It’s more of a drama with some elements of thriller included. Luckily for me, it worked out because I liked the main characters. 

My ARC seemed like an uncorrected proof copy, though it doesn’t say that anywhere. The formatting was haywire and made it hard to understand the sudden shifts in POV, past, and present. I hope the final copy has the necessary formatting to make this easier. 

To sum up, Disappeared is an emotional and gripping story about two women who find each other in odd circumstances and build a strong bond. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#Disappeared #NetGalley