This was as atrociously bad as I thought it would be - but who could stay away after '50 Shades'?
I don't know if it was better or worse that E L JamesThis was as atrociously bad as I thought it would be - but who could stay away after '50 Shades'?
I don't know if it was better or worse that E L James had obviously tried to better her writing. In some ways it was like being a high school teacher, being proud that your student has tried new techniques, and is expanding their vocabulary. In other ways it was horrifying that something a high school student could write better, was published at all.
How to describe the terrible characters... they were so poorly written that it was actually funny in some parts. The whole Albania history was absolutely ridiculous, and as is the author's style, so repetitive. Maxim was possibly the worst male character for this style of book, the author made him sound more like a teenage girl crushing on someone, than an Earl worthy of saving the heroine of the story.
Let's get to the real reason this got a one-star from me, because it was hilarious, it could have gotten a two-star just because it was at least amusing. The portrayal of Alessia as an abuse survivor, suffering PTSD was appalling. Appalling. It was not written well, the author had obviously not read up on how to write for such a character, and even if it is a fantasy-portrayal, the trauma she goes through is too far away from acceptable for her emotional response at the end.
A terrible, hilarious, and depressing read. The only thing it does is give me hope, because if that can be published, I have a chance!...more
This was an interesting courtroom drama, and an easy-read.
I admit that I expected more meat to the story, I expected a little more ambiguity, and a liThis was an interesting courtroom drama, and an easy-read.
I admit that I expected more meat to the story, I expected a little more ambiguity, and a little less drama, and a little more intrigue. I expected more twists and turns, and I was waiting for them all to occur.
This played out exactly how I thought it would, down to the predictability of the ending. I anticipated every step, and while I thought that Holly would go somewhere else, it wasn't at all surprising she didn't.
Having said that, the writing style was satisfying, if a little dry. The characters and placement were written well, and had just enough to them that I cared about what was happening - unfortunately, that;s about it though.
I became hooked on this author after reading 'A Man Called Ove', and this was recommended by a fellow fan of his. I very much enjoyed this story, andI became hooked on this author after reading 'A Man Called Ove', and this was recommended by a fellow fan of his. I very much enjoyed this story, and I especially liked the ending - despite it being unsatisfactory to me. The reason it was so unsatisfactory is because the author did such a wonderful job at allowing our protagonist a journey where she had so many choices ahead of her, that I couldn't think of the one I would most prefer her to have. The story-telling was wonderful, as always. I loved Britt-Marie and the was she grew on everyone, also the way she grew on herself. I understood her character perfectly, and it was due to the author that she was so understandable. He has a way of showing you people in a new light, and it's this trait that I love the most about this writing. The compassion, and the value in every person if you look for it. I found the football part a bit hard because I don't follow football, and not being a supporter I wasn't aware of the nuances of each team - despite that being described well enough. It was a lovely mix of Beartown and A Man Called Ove. Would highly recommend. ...more
The writing style of this novel really drew me in, I was unable to put it down and read it in two sittings. I loved Marianne and Connell, and I lovedThe writing style of this novel really drew me in, I was unable to put it down and read it in two sittings. I loved Marianne and Connell, and I loved their journey up to a point. This felt really reminiscent of One Day by David Nicholls, a book that I really enjoyed (movie not as much). At least the ending of that was somewhat satisfying in its way, unlike the ending of this which was just frustrating instead. There is a point at which it becomes boring to rehash the same conversations over and over again in a different scenario , even it if is supposed to have a point behind it. There was just one or two conversations too many for me to like the ending or think it was a clever way to leave things. The writing was so wonderful that I stayed with it, and I'm still so happy to have found the author. It was almost a sensual read, and a romance at its heart, yet it explored so many topics throughout including modern masculinity, femininity, social ideals, relationships in every sphere, and trauma. I would recommend to anyone, it was a lovely read that leaves you with a lot to think about - because even though I'm dissatisfied with the ending, it means I was invested enough in the characters to feel they were let down....more
A book club pick, the person who recommended was unaware that it was YA - that's not a problem for me, but will make for an interesting discussion. I gA book club pick, the person who recommended was unaware that it was YA - that's not a problem for me, but will make for an interesting discussion. I grew up where this book is set, and lived in North Katoomba where our male protagonist is based. This was both a good and bad thing while reading. It was good because it added a level of familiarity and I could see glimpses of little bits of local truths woven throughout - and that was fun. It was bad because I was constantly thinking, wait that's not there - or, that would take so long to walk to no one in their teens would actually do that. So it pulled me out of the novel a little as the author took some liberties with the landscape. Perhaps if real road names weren't used I may not have had the same reaction. It was also hard for me to write a review as I already had the scenery and town landmarks in my memories - so I'm not sure how well they were described for someone who didn't know those places. I can't think of anywhere that is easy to get to from Katoomba to see horse racing either. Also, North Katoomba is really not this poverty stricken landscape compared to South Katoomba, they are about even at this point - that grated on me a little as well. If Charlotte had lived in Leura it would have made more sense, but as in any mountains community, the closer to the bush the more expensive the houses, the closer to the towns the cheaper they are, and North and South Katoomba have their rich areas. I found Charlotte's reactions and behaviours a little hard to believe for the age of the characters, that was a bit of a jolt throughout the whole book, the over-reactions of the characters to things that I didn't quite get. I also found the ending not satisfactory in how it was managed. Having said that, this is YA, and younger YA at that, so in that context I think it was handled well. Difficult one for me, I liked it and thought it was fun and informative for the age it was aimed at - however, it had the feel of being too informative in some respects. I think it's a story and writing style caught between being too old for upper-primary, but too information driven for young adults. ...more
Cedar Valley was full of wonderful characters, all fleshed out with just enough attention that I knew who everyone was. However, that's sort of all itCedar Valley was full of wonderful characters, all fleshed out with just enough attention that I knew who everyone was. However, that's sort of all it had. I feel like the characters were so fun, but half of them were very unnecessary to the plot - which to be honest didn't go anywhere until the last fifth of the book. The story was great, I really liked the mystery - but the mystery was stolen away because it took too long to go anywhere, and there just weren't enough clues throughout the book for the ending to have any satisfaction for me. It was sort of like the author wanted to hide it a little too carefully so we didn't know what had happened - and then by the time we found out I really didn't even care anymore. The writing is wonderful, the placement is fantastic, and the conversations are so well done. There needed to be more focus on the mystery - because it was a good one, and less about the minor character details that didn't mean anything in the end anyway....more
I did not read anything about this book before I began reading it, I loved A Man Called Ove so much, I just went on and randomly picked another by theI did not read anything about this book before I began reading it, I loved A Man Called Ove so much, I just went on and randomly picked another by the same author. Despite being glad to have read this book, because it was amazing - I also wish that I had picked a different book because the story was quite difficult for me to read due to my own experiences.
Firstly, the writing style was wonderful. The way the author makes you see the intricacies of a small town and the politics that run through it - and why those run through it, was spectacular. In some parts, a little too repetitive, I really did understand why the town loved it's hockey so much by a third of the way through, and didn't need long paragraphs continuously explaining this to remind me.
Secondly, excellent characters. I feel we all have a friend like Maggan Lyt that we all want to pretend isn't our friend. Character development was so well described, and even though there were quite a lot of characters, I knew each character thoroughly - including their motivators - as if they'd each been given a book. Writing teen characters can be tough, but this was perfect. Benji was my hero, and the hero of the story, and it was his exact character to carry the story without being it's main protagonist - as that was his life, amazing writing.
Finally, the story itself. It's the one we all know, the one we hate to know, and the one that is most difficult to read about because it's so common ad we wish it wasn't. The author did well presenting every part of the story, including the ending. I think the end result was actually quite neutral, and that in itself is almost a positive ending all things considered.
This is a scathing look at sports culture at its worst, and the repercussions of that culture. The male dominated world, the homophobia, the disregard of others, the feeling of dominance, the male aggression - it's all there on display throughout this story.
I would recommend people read the blurb before buying, but I am almost glad I didn't as this was so well-written. Loved it, was just a bit repetitive for the full five stars for me. ...more
I feel like this had so much potential, and the first half was quite good. I always enjoy the characters and settings that Moriarty creates, I feel liI feel like this had so much potential, and the first half was quite good. I always enjoy the characters and settings that Moriarty creates, I feel like I know them and that is really skilful writing. I thought the idea of Tranquillum House was just the right amount of health retreat mythologies, and touched on exactly the right people who would attend and why. However, there were almost too many characters to keep up with. The story around Masha was so unresolved and in no way fitting with any of her motives or actions, I can't understand why that was her backstory. The story itself didn't really come off due to the many inconsistencies, which is unusual for Liane Moriarty - she usually wraps it all up for us in a cohesive way. Definitely not her best effort. Wouldn't really recommend it, I feel like it was rushed and not well planned out. ...more
I almost wished I had the time to read the whole series before I read the latest instalment as there was a lot of stuff I know I was a little hazy onI almost wished I had the time to read the whole series before I read the latest instalment as there was a lot of stuff I know I was a little hazy on throughout the book that had happened in the book before. Having said that, it didn't impact on the story itself, which as always was extremely well plotted, and wonderfully written. I love the characters - although, I feel like Robin needs something to change in her character as she is so passive and quite frankly, very annoying. I also feel that her character has been building to this moment, and that she has grown enough that I trust the process to continue. So despite being annoying, I also understand her and can see that she is progressing to somewhere. I had a few theories that were not correct, and I think that there was enough in there that the ending was satisfactory in how it all unravelled, and I was suitably surprised and impressed. As with all the others in the series, I had a feeling of constantly being full while reading due to the copious amounts of food and beverages being written about! I love that the author is able to craft such a response simply by picking something that the character does often and giving the details of this experience in a way that makes it meaningful for the reader. Can't wait for the next one!...more
I haven't been able to focus on reading for about a year, maybe just a little over - but this book, I could not put down. I adored Ove, not at first aI haven't been able to focus on reading for about a year, maybe just a little over - but this book, I could not put down. I adored Ove, not at first and that was intentional I think, but by the end I was so impressed by his character. The writer did an amazing job of riding the line between light-hearted banter and feel good scenarios, and crushing emotional insights into a cruel world. The story had a wonderful depth of empathy to it, and in our world where empathy is in short supply I really hope it is taken up by all the readers out there who may not always look at other people's life and experiences when they judge and interact with others. The epilogue was just enough of everything that I wanted to hear, it was perfectly ended in my opinion.
I laughed, cried, and got angry at some points of this story - it managed to fill me with all the emotions and I loved every second of it. ...more
This is another good instalment in this series. Pacing was fantastic, there were not too many characters to keep track of - but enough that I was keptThis is another good instalment in this series. Pacing was fantastic, there were not too many characters to keep track of - but enough that I was kept guessing.
Lottie can get a little frustrating, but this is what makes her such a great character - she is doing her best with what she has, and I know I always feel the struggle of working and looking after children on my own - and the small bits and pieces that get forgotten every day. She is good at her job, she has the grudging respect of her peers, and she has a working relationship with her children.
I was glad that the family history part of the series wasn't at the fore in this instalment, I enjoyed having just the case to get into - I had actually forgotten what had happened at the end of the previous book, also why it was important, so it was good I didn't have to re-read parts of the last book in order to just enjoy this one.
As always, I will look forward to the next one!...more
I really like Irish crime novels - and this one was great! Cormac was a great character, lots of depth in his portrayal, which I really enjoyed. I founI really like Irish crime novels - and this one was great! Cormac was a great character, lots of depth in his portrayal, which I really enjoyed. I found Aisling fairly annoying, and I didn't really buy into her whole character. Maude was fantastic, and I liked her character development. Despite having a male detective at the heart of this story, it was really the female characters that came through with every other part of the puzzle. The female characters were all strong, independent women with sound careers and sound reasoning - the novel didn't draw attention to this, and it wasn't a theme, but I noticed and enjoyed this a lot. The mystery itself was solid, and the pacing was good - we got the right amount of information at just the right moment. I liked Murphy, and the hidden motives for him are drawing me to the next instalment already. Good read if you enjoy crime, and especially if you enjoy Irish crime....more
Amazing read - wonderful way of writing that gets across complex ideas in simple language. The characters were a joy to get to know - especially MalcoAmazing read - wonderful way of writing that gets across complex ideas in simple language. The characters were a joy to get to know - especially Malcolm, loved the way he was presented and developed throughout the story.
It has been a sufficiently long enough time since I read His Dark Materials, that I really can't remember what happened - it was fantastic that this book made complete sense on it's own. The hint of familiarity (especially of Pan) was just enough to provide comfort - like I was going back to a place I had visited and loved once.
I got a little worried about three quarters of the way through, because it got a little bit Faraway-Tree-ish, but that section came to an end just as I was getting a bit annoyed with it. And, it did play a role in the story which made it alright.
This book was half 'The Light Between Oceans', and half 'Cloudstreet' - sounds like a great mix, right? Wrong. All this book succeeded in doing for meThis book was half 'The Light Between Oceans', and half 'Cloudstreet' - sounds like a great mix, right? Wrong. All this book succeeded in doing for me, was making me want to re-read those two books because they were so much better than this offering.
I am a fan of suspenseful and mysterious reads, and like the slow unravelling of secrets throughout a story, and at first this seemed like the perfect book to meet that requirement. The problem was my lack of interest in any character other than Ernie who didn't get much air-time, my dislike of Lily who was a horrible person to everyone, and this 'secret' that was totally unremarkable and not worth reading until the end for.
Pacing was a huge issue for me, because at some point we need to know what exactly our secret means, otherwise why do we care about finding it out? This information came at too stunted a pace, and left me with a sense of complete disappointment when it wasn't even that good.
With the mystery unravelling so slowly, it drew more attention to the fact the there was no other story - or to be more accurate, there was an interesting story in the town's everyday workings, the author just didn't tell it well. She focused instead on trying to be clever with her mystery, and it actually took away from the part that could have been good.
I wasn't impressed, and would recommend people to either read 'Light Between Oceans', or 'Cloudstreet' instead....more
I read this for a book club, and usually I don't read any blurbs on book club choices so that it is a fresh read. I have to say that was a good thingI read this for a book club, and usually I don't read any blurbs on book club choices so that it is a fresh read. I have to say that was a good thing with this story. I found this story disturbing, horrific, and completely absorbing. I'm glad I hadn't read anything about it as I would have been expecting the subject-matter.
The part that I found the scariest, was that we are never given the full story of any of the women in the compound - yet I knew every story of the women in the compound. I knew them all, because they are so common, portrayed exactly as suggested by the media - and worse, the comments about these women that are remembered in the story are all comments I have read, made about such circumstances, all the time.
This story isn't a walk-in-the-park type of look at women caught in 'sex-scandals' - it's a brutal and confronting, in-your-face look at slut-shaming.
Wrapped around that is an even deeper story, as we realise no-one is delivering food to the compound, and their guards are just as trapped as the women - it takes on an almost Lord of the Flies feel. Except instead of the study of a group of young boys and their social structuring, we instead are given the study of a group of women with two easily-overpowered men, who are stuck in socially constructed, gendered roles - and how much of that becomes instinct, survival or rebellion.
I couldn't stop reading, and had no clue how it would end. The writing was as brutal as the subject matter, and I had some issue with pacing and descriptions in some areas.
Yolanda and Verla are the eyes of the novel, and their individual insights are fantastic but at times repetitive. The author did well to keep them separate characters, and did well in continuing the story despite the madness creeping into their characters.
It wasn't a pretty novel, but it is one that I will think about for a long time. I was especially impressed about this being an Australian novel, and love that it came from here. Would highly recommend to anyone who enjoyed The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood....more
**spoiler alert** I gave this a four, but I could have easily given it a two at the same time - three would have been a misleading middle ground, and**spoiler alert** I gave this a four, but I could have easily given it a two at the same time - three would have been a misleading middle ground, and I had no middle ground feeling with this story. I both loved and loathed it equally. I settled with the four because no other book in memory has given me such a mixed reaction to it.
I think I'll start by saying that a much stronger editor would have helped this a lot. The twist at the end was over-reaching, completely unnecessary, and shouldn't have been included. Because Eleanor is then completely not fine, and despite that being a theme - this puts her in the territory of needing more help than she was getting. There were also large continuity problems with Eleanor's quirks of character, and they would pull you out of the story because whatever had been said just didn't quite fit with something she had mentioned before. The pace was also grating by the end - I'm not a fan of big events being alluded to for an entire novel, especially when enough information has preceeded it that we can guess what happened anyway. It was also very repetitive in trying to make the readers understand how Eleanor felt - we got it.
My main problem was that the storyline itself was ridiculous, and I felt out of character for Eleanor. It bordered on being creepy and wrong, the setup was also weird for Eleanor - she didn't date. So, that really bugged me. I almost rolled my eyes when that part of the story progression came up, and rushed through that chapter to get back to the good stuff.
Let me be clear, there was a lot of good stuff. I literally laughed aloud to some parts, I delighted in reading so many passages, and I actually cried more than once. That's some extreme emotions from me, and for a writer to pull all of them out, it was a great read. She kept in character the whole time - really difficult with the type of person Eleanor is. Fantastic writing skills and depth of emotion displayed.
Raymond, Sammy, Laura - all really well thought-out and amazing characters for Eleanor to meet. Raymond especially is just someone you wish you had in your life.
The theme of loneliness was deeply explored, and almost explained the macro story... not to my liking though. And it is a timely topic, one that people forget about, don't want to talk about, and the effects of extreme loneliness are horrible. I think we've all known someone like Eleanor, or been the person like Eleanor - and this made me pause and consider all those scenarios, and the different way we react to people like that.
Despite being completely unexplained, Eleanor doesn't do technology right down to a phone, or it seems like television either - although she does apparently watch some. Her descriptions of popular culture are hilarious, some of the greatest parts of the story involved her describing well-known shows or music without ever mentioning the real name. But - completely unexplained, there is no reason given for this at all. One of those other grating bits.
Finally, and completely a personal annoyance - I find it to be very lazy writing and a little self-indulgent when authors use their favourite classic to draw parallels in their own writing. An entire section used the names of Jane Eyre characters - it was her social services report, and it used Mrs Reed and Mr Brocklehurst. Just come up with your own names!! The author then went on to say how much her character loved the novel Jane Eyre... no, the author loves that book and wants to reference herself to look like a classical reader. Where was the editor saying no to these ludicrous inclusions! The author also has said in interviews that Jane Eyre was one of her inspirations for Eleanor, this makes me feel like, even though she had read this amazing classical literature - she didn't take in the character of Jane at all - because Jane is nothing like Eleanor. I adore Jane Eyre, and this left a really sour taste in my mouth. Eleanor is a unique and wonderful character in her own right - and an editor should have told the author that she didn't need any comparisons in that way.
So - a lot to love, and a lot to hate. I don't even know what genre to fit it in - but it was an excellent read, and to have brought out such fierce emotions from me, I know it was good. Easy read, would recommend to anyone due to it's genre crossovers....more
What an amazing style of writing Egan has - I was enthralled from the first couple of pages. "The specter of that slap still haunted Anna, with the odWhat an amazing style of writing Egan has - I was enthralled from the first couple of pages. "The specter of that slap still haunted Anna, with the odd effect of heightening her boldness, in defiance of it." - Just a brilliant and succinct way of phrasing ideas, I loved reading every word.
Anna was introduced early, and I immediately liked her strength of character that was portrayed as strong but not in an overdone way. Her father was also interesting, and his character grew more interesting as the story continued.
The easy way the author has woven together all the characters was fantastic - even the fate of Anna's mother was thought out, and fit exactly right. The inner workings of Dexter Styles was fascinating through to the end. The age difference between Anna and Dexter played a little on my mind, however not enough for it to spoil the chemistry between the two of them. It was a shame their story didn't have a different ending.
Brianne was the real hero of the book in my eyes - we all need a Brianne in our lives, and her part was written exactly right.
I got a little bored in the middle - all the diving was so amazing, and the author's description of the characters made them all so easy to relate to and see as a group. There was something that just wasn't quite right with the pacing through some of the book, and despite it all being interesting and wonderful to read - I became a little bit uncaring of what would happen next. I guess it was a little predictable in a way that wasn't made up for quite enough by the writing style throughout those passages.
I have two reactions to this story - the first being totally in awe of Sandra. Her amazing understanding and depth of compassion for everyone she meetI have two reactions to this story - the first being totally in awe of Sandra. Her amazing understanding and depth of compassion for everyone she meets, her incredible life-story, and her strength are just astounding to read about. The jobs she takes on, the people she meets and helps through her work - all so interesting. I would have loved to read about a meth lad clean-up, and also the mechanics behind her police contracts for her services, but the details of the jobs in the book were fascinating.
The second reaction I have is to the writing itself, which I found frustrating and difficult to read at times. A lot of terrible similes, and a lot of excuses for behaviour Sandra exhibited that didn't fit with the author's golden view of her subject. The worst one I can remember, involved Sandra standing in a room on a job, and being compared to one of Monet's golden haystacks in her beauty - there were just so many comments like this. At the beginning the author says that this is her version of a love letter for Sandra - and that made it easier to read those passages, and obviously Sandra is such a wonderfully complex person it was worth reading anyway.
A great story. I'm happy that there are people out there like Sandra who will take on these jobs, and bring the people who need help in that way a human response to their troubles. ...more
This is by far my favourite instalment of this series. Book three usually makes or breaks a series for me, and t4.5 if I could give half star ratings.
This is by far my favourite instalment of this series. Book three usually makes or breaks a series for me, and this one made sure I'll be reading the rest of them.
Frank was my favourite character in the last book, and so I knew that this would be good - but it was like the author found her stride with Frank. I like that I have no idea where this fits in with the timeline of the books. It could be read as a standalone - and the one thing that annoyed me to no end in The Likeness, was the constant referral to the previous story. This one had not one mention, and I loved that.
Every character was given just enough detail that I could connect with each one. I was so sad for Frank, and thought the attitude of the neighbourhood was really interesting towards the end.
I liked that the fantastical nature of the last two books, wasn't carried through to this one. I also thought it was a wise idea on the part of the author, to end the book with the possibility of Shay receiving justice. The theme of the last two books was starting to stand out a little forcefully, and while I enjoy the idea of the grey areas of justice, a whole series where you know that at the end the baddie is not going to get justice served - it would be a bit boring eventually.
I felt the author stretched a bit too far with the amount of characters she included in this instalmenIt would be 3.5 if there was a half star option.
I felt the author stretched a bit too far with the amount of characters she included in this instalment. I usually like getting the glimpses throughout the previous books, and they usually accumulate to something really clever. But there were a few that I felt this could have done without.
Having said that - the way everything came together was so fantastical I enjoyed every second of it!
I love the family dynamic, and I love the relationships she has within the office - especially the development with Corrigan in this one. There was a small snippet with Lynch that went totally unresolved, and that was frustrating as it wasn't mentioned again. Possibly something that could have been left out.
Great characters, and a good plot development. Wouldn't have picked that ending!...more
Can't help myself - I just love everything she writes!
The Raven Boys was a pretty huge series to come away from, and there was concern on my part on hCan't help myself - I just love everything she writes!
The Raven Boys was a pretty huge series to come away from, and there was concern on my part on how Stiefvater could possibly get close to the greatness of those - but she certainly showed what an amazing mind she has, as this book was so different from them, but still so amazing.
It had the same feel as the Scorpio Races, another standalone book, but the story was not similar - which is pretty amazing to me. That each book brings with it something so different and yet be the same quality each time.
The characters were a joy to get to know, and the Soria's were a complex family unit that were still tied together well. Beatriz and Pete, such a lovely little tale for those two.
The pilgrims were fascinating, I find the whole idea of the different manifestations of people's darkness intriguing. And that facing the darkness was important in being whole.
I find it remarkable that this author can take something so complex and boring to me - finance - and make it this entertaining. I now understand so maI find it remarkable that this author can take something so complex and boring to me - finance - and make it this entertaining. I now understand so many economic things that I had heard of, and read up on, but could never quite grasp.
Ireland is a fantastic setting for this story, and it was hilarious - so many laugh out loud moments. Great characters, absurd situations that somehow end up being normal.
As a huge fan of Skippy Dies, I was a little scared this would be terrible - luckily it didn't disappoint at all. The author has a way of describing each scene in such a way that I can see it without him having gone into much detail at all. I feel like I know each character in the same way I do JK Rowling's characters, they are so familiar to me in their mannerisms - but they are much more exaggerated in Murray's book. Great writing style and insightful moments.
**spoiler alert** After reading the second book first - I couldn't wait to go back to this book and find out what all the fuss was over in this case.**spoiler alert** After reading the second book first - I couldn't wait to go back to this book and find out what all the fuss was over in this case. To be honest, it was disappointing in that sense. I feel that this is due to the stories being told from Rob's POV in this story - but from Cassie's POV in the second book.
After putting aside the ideas that I had gleaned from the second book, I was able to enjoy this story for what it was. It had its moments of greatness, and as the first in a series I thought it did a great job of setting up the squad for further adventures.
I did have that inkling of who it was, but with the backstory running interference, it was easier to confuse that thought. It became very frustrating that the backstory went nowhere even though so much of the book was based on it - it was mentioned at every opportunity and felt so key to everything. To say I was annoyed that after all that, everything that Cassie and Rob did that really jeopardised their entire case - and could have led to serious legal consequences, led to nothing, would be an understatement.
Loved the ending, the unravelling of all the conversations, the realisation that major errors had been made alongside the known major errors. It was fantastic listening to the interview with the murderer - I loved the thoughts I was left with about whether or not he should have gone to jail. Of course he should, but he shouldn't have had to go alone. It was great.
I like the writing style of the books and will be reading the third one definitely.
We read this for book club - we didn't read the first one, this was the book chosen. I found it incredibly frustrating the amount of times it referencWe read this for book club - we didn't read the first one, this was the book chosen. I found it incredibly frustrating the amount of times it referenced the first book throughout the first half - and I would have found it frustrating whether or not I had read it, because it was that often. If I had read it, I already knew what the author was referencing, as I hadn't it was frustrating because it didn't actually impact the story.
Either way, after getting past that, the story became intriguing and I became really involved in it. I like the complete fantasy-type scenario that is so completely unreal, and that it is mixed with the very insightful and real feeling of being an undercover detective.
I really loved the characters of Frank and Sam, and to a certain extent I liked Cassie - I found her quite melodramatic and unprofessional. I also found the basis a little weird, that she was so attached her her old undercover identity that she would be so reckless with her job.
I enjoyed this book so much, I went back and read the first in the series, and intend to read the third. I have to say at this point - there was so much emphasis on the first book, that after reading the first one, I found that emphasis a bit weird because it wasn't that harrowing. Good, but not worthy of half a books worth of remembrance from Cassie.
I enjoy the writing style, I enjoy pace and the many questions. I like that I sort of picked the murderer, and that the resolution isn't so outlandish that it couldn't have been picked. I'm not a great fan of crime books where you get to know the ins-and-outs of a case, and then it's a surprise ending with a character we'd only briefly heard of in one sentence at the start being the baddie.
I find the theme that people 'get away' with murder, to be one that isn't explored in the way this series has so far, very often. It becomes understandable, and that makes it unsettling - which is kind of a fun feeling to get from a book.
The setting is great, I could see and feel that old house as if I had lived in it myself. I could feel the warmth and cold, I could smell the roasts, and the lumpy old lounges that would be so comfortable and full of history. The sense of time and place in the community wanting the house to be developed for the good of the community - interesting and realistic view. Usually, villages are represented as wanting to keep to themselves and not have any new developments.
I would recommend as a series - wouldn't start from this book, and I have a feeling that none in the series are completely standalone books. Great read, not a fast read - but a good one. ...more
I have now read all of Sonya Hartnett's novels. I still love them all. This one is for a younger audience, possibly even younger than Children of theI have now read all of Sonya Hartnett's novels. I still love them all. This one is for a younger audience, possibly even younger than Children of the King. Would be a great book for young readers looking for human perspectives of war, as it tells from the eyes of adults, and children. This is set through WW1, and it does a wonderful job of portraying the time. ...more
I unfortunately picked the ending from almost the very beginning. There was one sentence and it gave theVery entertaining and thought provoking read.
I unfortunately picked the ending from almost the very beginning. There was one sentence and it gave the whole thing away in my opinion - so that did detract from the overall experience because I was just waiting for the reveal.
The characters were solid, and I thought that the online social side of the story was done really well from a use perspective. Although, I question the use of a blog by a teen - but with that set aside, the use of the mother's blog entry up against the child's entry, was fantastic.
I felt that Beth wasn't a terrible mother, but her ideas of protecting her children from the repercussions of their actions wasn't explored quite enough - and this is a POV issue when writing from only a couple of character's POV. It's also a timely topic, when mental health is an issue we want our children discussing, but as this story shows - only if it isn't their own.
The idea that parents were only judging each other from Beth's experience came to a wonderfully ironic end in my opinion. And her daughters were the exact personality types I would expect from the character described.
Sophie has a difficult character, and I think the author did very well in the insights she provided when looking at the world from Sophie's POV. Her spiral into depression and the isolation from her peers was scary, because I think we can all identify with it in some ways - and to apply that to our own children's lives and how little we see below the surface is a hard thing to consider.
The complete lack of motive is what really annoyed me at the end. That there is zero indication as to why the sisters had that dynamic. No flashback, no deeper level. I feel like there's an incredibly clever layer to the story that's been missed.
There are also no parental repercussions, and Beth's blog that at first I thought was clever - fizzled, to the point where what she was writing, I couldn't even understand why it was included. In a way this is realistic because our online identities portray only the best of us I guess is the point, but for Beth's blog to have been used so heavily in the first half of the novel, it's a shame it wasn't used as a continual device.
My other final annoyance is that the three main characters had zero character development. Andi, Sophie, Dan, even Steven who we read all of seven words from (exaggeration), had some type of development. Beth, Lucy and Charlotte though - have none.
Charlotte is not remorseful, she is not a nice person and she never says sorry. Lucy, we never know anyway, so there is nothing to develop. Beth continues on as if everything she has been told about her daughter is wrong, fights with her husband and partner over his own thoughts, and despite Drew alluding to her blog being a spin - Beth never completely realises this to its conclusion.
However, I have obviously enjoyed it enough to critique it to this extent! And it was such a great experience to read that those annoyances really get to me because there was so much more I could have potentially read.
Highly recommend parents with pre-teens to late-teens to have a read. I think it provides a really good insight in social media for that age-group. Especially about how it relates to their real lives....more
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