From the Bookshelf of The Perks Of Being A Book Addict…

Dark Matter

Blake Crouch

Start date: August 1, 2017

Finish date: August 31, 2017

Discussion: Group Books of the Month (BotM)

Why we're reading this: August 2017 BotM
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What Members Thought

Nov 11, 2016 Meera rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fiction, bee, topamazon, hive2018

I wish I hadn’t read the synopsis before reading this because it would have even better if I hadn’t. This was a fun and quick sci-fi read and I was tense throughout the book because I couldn’t see how it could have a good ending. A good book to start the new year of reading.

5 likes · Like · see review

Mar 10, 2020 Gregory Williams rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi, technology, thriller

What a fun, entertaining ride! I'd never heard of this book, saw it recommended by someone on a Book Lovers social media thread, ordered and read it in a span of a day. Fast-moving, intelligent, riveting - exactly the type of novel that reminds me why I love to read.

You can read the book blurb to get the storyline, but suffice to say, the author did a brilliant job storytelling and keeping the characters interesting and the action right in front of you. Props! ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 28, 2019 Trisha rated it liked it

Shelves: drama, sci-fi

The plotline was very intriguing, and it was full of twisty, mind-bending, craziness. The problem was the writing style. The dialogue was choppy and lacked realism, and it was a bit cheesy at times. For such a far-fetched sci-fi plotline, I wish that there had been a bit more depth to it. I mean, the overall plot is awesome and I couldn’t wait to see how it would play out. But then it became incredibly complicated to follow at times, trying to understand the how and the why of it all, and then t ...more

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Jun 27, 2019 Kitty Marie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-finished, favorite-books, 2019-books

This book was beyond my already good expectations, and pretty much cemented Blake Crouch's other work as worth pursuing- also going to look for more suspense/thriller/sci-fi fusion books. The writing is deeply immersive- I started reading this when I was in a drowsy state, barely able to concentrate, and the writing pulled me in quickly. This would be a great choice for anyone who is in a reading slump. The suspense portion is vivid and effectively front-loaded. Then the more sci-fi elements tak This book was beyond my already good expectations, and pretty much cemented Blake Crouch's other work as worth pursuing- also going to look for more suspense/thriller/sci-fi fusion books. The writing is deeply immersive- I started reading this when I was in a drowsy state, barely able to concentrate, and the writing pulled me in quickly. This would be a great choice for anyone who is in a reading slump. The suspense portion is vivid and effectively front-loaded. Then the more sci-fi elements take center stage around the middle point. There's also a great sense of adventure and unpredictability at this point. I have very little experience or knowledge of sci-fi and can confirm that those aspects, even at wordier sections, were quite approachable.

One other thing I want to mention- I'd been reading three other books alongside this one, all three centered romance in some way. In terms of conveying a love story between two people, the sub-plot between the lead character Jason and his wife here in Dark Matter was by far and away the most endearing of everything I'd been reading at the time. Keep in mind by no means is Dark Matter even partly a romance, I just thought it was amusing. This book is quite multi-faceted despite being a bit on the short side. I actually quite like how brisk the pace is, not overstaying its welcome. Overall, I enjoyed this experience but by far and away the thriller/suspense focus of those earlier chapters left the greatest impact. Not sure which is going to be my next Crouch book but one that focuses more singularly on the thriller genre could be an all-time fave.

Regarding some of the final chapters- (view spoiler) ...more

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Mar 07, 2020 J. Lynn Else rated it really liked it

I had this ARC sitting on my shelf for a few years and finally decided to pick it up. Woah. Suddenly, I was planted in my chair with a book I couldn't put it down.

A thoughtful exploration of the path not taken and regrets. What makes us who we are? The choices, the regrets, or a thousand other tiny little things? Travel through one man's multiverse of possibilities. What will you choose and what will you do to regain what's lost? What happens when you're confronted with the darkest parts of you ...more

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Jul 27, 2017 A Page Elsewhere rated it liked it

The story wasn't original, the idea was similarly explored in a TV series. It was too predictable for those who had watched that particular series. I wasn't surprised by anything, not even the ending. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Oct 03, 2018 poot rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Wow. This book destroyed my brain, but I really enjoyed it!!!!

1 like · Like · see review

May 11, 2019 Jacqueline rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 30, 2017 Mimi rated it liked it

Shelves: personal-library

I'm conflicted on how I want to rate this book - really more of a 3.5 for me. A fast paced thriller with a little science fiction thrown in. I liked the premise of the story but wanted more depth to it. The book is being made into a movie and at times, I felt as if I was reading a movie script.
Jason loves his wife Daniela and his son Charlie. He feels a bit stuck and lives a life of routine. He awakes one day to find that he is not in his world but in some sort of alternate reality. In this real ...more

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Sep 26, 2021 Red The Book Nerd rated it it was amazing

Holy crap! This was good. It's been a minute since I read something I didn't want to stop reading.

This read held my attention from the start. That's rare for me too.

This was intense from start to finish. I even exclaimed out loud a few times. Very well written and a great storyline. I highly recommend this thriller. ...more

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