Horror Aficionados discussion
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March 2015 Group Read II: Broken Monsters
Michael wrote: "I'd go with annoying because they are teenagers, mostly Cas though. Layla seems like a pretty good kid in a bad situation. As for the dialogue, no teen girls in my life, so can't comment on that!"Yes, I agree. Cas is the more annoying of the two. And yeah, I think both of them might be less authentic if you have experience of tennage girls, which I don't...thankfully lol!
Michael wrote: "What got me was what happened to [spoilers removed]"Yeah the imagery in this is pretty good. I can visualize the scenes as I read. Would make for a good movie.
David wrote: "I'm curious if readers are finding the teenagers annoying because they're teenagers or because of the way they're written. To me, they don't seem authentic in their characterizations or dialogue. I..."
I'm feeling 100% the same way, including the part you hid as a spoiler. I haven't been a teenager in a long time (and thankfully my kids are a long way off from being teenagers), but I'm finding those Layla chapters really hard to get through. I don't know if I just don't like the writing style or if teenagers are really that annoying, but it's the literary equivalent of nails on a chalk board either way.
Unfortunately at 34% of the way in, I'm not enjoying the other characters much more. I was initially intrigued by the murder mystery introduced at the beginning, by the cops come off almost as inauthentic and annoying as the teenagers. Jonno's last chapter was a little better though (and he was annoying the hell out of me before that), so maybe things will start to pick up.
A friend of mine is reading this also and agrees with me about the writing. She enjoyed Zoo City and The Shining Girls and says those were better (or at least had better characters), so maybe I'll still give those a try if I feel the same way about this one by the time I'm done.
I'm feeling 100% the same way, including the part you hid as a spoiler. I haven't been a teenager in a long time (and thankfully my kids are a long way off from being teenagers), but I'm finding those Layla chapters really hard to get through. I don't know if I just don't like the writing style or if teenagers are really that annoying, but it's the literary equivalent of nails on a chalk board either way.
Unfortunately at 34% of the way in, I'm not enjoying the other characters much more. I was initially intrigued by the murder mystery introduced at the beginning, by the cops come off almost as inauthentic and annoying as the teenagers. Jonno's last chapter was a little better though (and he was annoying the hell out of me before that), so maybe things will start to pick up.
A friend of mine is reading this also and agrees with me about the writing. She enjoyed Zoo City and The Shining Girls and says those were better (or at least had better characters), so maybe I'll still give those a try if I feel the same way about this one by the time I'm done.
I pretty much hated Jonno the whole way through the book, which is partly the point. Fortunately, other than the killer he's the most unlikable character. (Even Cas gets a little better.)
I just finished. I really enjoyed this one. I think I'm going to pick up The Shining Girls now b/c of this. Esp if I'm hearing it's better.
(view spoiler)
I got my copy today--I'm reading Patient Zero first, and this one will be for the back half of the month.
Some of the similies are a bit dodgy, like when love being divided is compared to dishing out creamed potatoes lol!
H.M wrote: "Some of the similies are a bit dodgy, like when love being divided is compared to dishing out creamed potatoes lol!"Hahahaaaa, good point. Wasn't that in a Layla chapter? I wonder if the author just wanted to make the slightly daft teenager thing seem more authentic. LOL
Hahahaaaa, good point. Wasn't that in a Layla chapter? I wonder if ..."Lol, that I could have understood! It was said by Gabi when she was saying that if she'd had another child, she could have divided her love between it and Layla, like creamed potatoes at dinner.
H.M wrote: "Hahahaaaa, good point. Wasn't that in a Layla chapter? I wonder if ..."Lol, that I could have understood! It was said by Gabi when she was saying that if she'd had another child, she could have d..."
Ooooooh yeah you're right. I couldn't remember.
Well, we know Gabi has had a little scrambled-eggs-for-brains moments. (to keep with the food analogies). :D
Scrambled eggs lol!I'm on page 286 and I was just wondering what anybody else thinks, but, (view spoiler)
H.M wrote: "Scrambled eggs lol!I'm on page 286 and I was just wondering what anybody else thinks, but, [spoilers removed]"
;)
re: your spoiler. Yes and no? (view spoiler)
You're both right. It definitely might happen, but it's not always common. As you said too Michael, it's definitely easier to accept than certain other things lol! I'm just at the end now.
I finished last night and I agree with every negative comment in this thread. Too many to list all over again. I don't understand the mass appeal of this book. 2 stars is generous when I account for all the flaws.
11811 (Eleven) wrote: "I finished last night and I agree with every negative comment in this thread. Too many to list all over again. I don't understand the mass appeal of this book. 2 stars is generous when I account ..."I'm curious what you're biggest issues are. I didn't love it either.
I can't believe I liked Johno to begin with. God, how he grates!!
H.M wrote: "I can't believe I liked Johno to begin with. God, how he grates!!"I hated him from the minute he showed up. I hate whiners. Especially thirty something whiners who complain about wanting to write the great American novel and have 16,000 words written. Annoying and cliche!
Michael wrote: "11811 (Eleven) wrote: ""I'm curious what you're biggest issues are. I didn't love it either. ..."I really didn't have any big issues. I had an abundance of smaller issues. The writing had a consistent amateur quality that I can't define. I can only say that there are a host of self published authors I've read whose writing skills blow this away. The prose was extraordinarily ordinary except in parts where it was just plain bad.
The spoiler I mentioned in message 28 at the 18% mark was about the time I knew this was not going to get a positive rating. I obsess over little things like that and wonder how it made it past the writer, the editor, the publisher, anyone who may have proofread it... You don't have to watch Criminal Minds to know how dumb that part is and remove it from the novel. See how I'm obsessing?
A number of people had issues with the teen chapters. The characters, the dialogue, and the believability in general. They all had good points to make and when you string all these things together, I think it results in a 2 star book.
My humble opinion, of course.
H.M wrote: "I can't believe I liked Johno to begin with. God, how he grates!!"Yeah, I hate whiners, too. I just couldn't see it proprly to begin with!
Exactly 11811, how does a book with such a mistake make it past the writer, first and foremost, and then the editor, publisher etc. I just don't understand that and never have.
11811 (Eleven) wrote: "Michael wrote: "11811 (Eleven) wrote: ""I'm curious what you're biggest issues are. I didn't love it either. ..."
I really didn't have any big issues. I had an abundance of smaller issues. The w..."
I actually think the complaint about what happens at the 18% mark is a bit nitpicky and it escaped me completely - there must be 100 other things that have bothered me more up to the point I'm at now (48%). Otherwise, I agree completely with everything you've said (including the 2 star rating).
I'm not a writer but I've tried a bit of writing recently and I have tremendous respect for anyone who can do it professionally and reach the level of popularity that this author has. With that said, I used the same word to describe the writing in this book that you did - it has an amateurish quality.
I really didn't have any big issues. I had an abundance of smaller issues. The w..."
I actually think the complaint about what happens at the 18% mark is a bit nitpicky and it escaped me completely - there must be 100 other things that have bothered me more up to the point I'm at now (48%). Otherwise, I agree completely with everything you've said (including the 2 star rating).
I'm not a writer but I've tried a bit of writing recently and I have tremendous respect for anyone who can do it professionally and reach the level of popularity that this author has. With that said, I used the same word to describe the writing in this book that you did - it has an amateurish quality.
Andy wrote: "11811 (Eleven) wrote: "Michael wrote: "11811 (Eleven) wrote: ""I'm curious what you're biggest issues are. I didn't love it either. ..."I really didn't have any big issues. I had an abundance of..."
It was a nitpicky example of the 100 other things neither of us seemed to like. I didn't want to get into all 100 of them.
I also feel wrong sometimes for criticizing the writing of someone who has accomplished far more than I ever did but it's Goodreads so I think it's allowed and even encouraged. As long as no one is being a dick and criticizing the author instead of the book, we can all be armchair book critics.
11811 (Eleven) wrote: "Andy wrote: "11811 (Eleven) wrote: "Michael wrote: "11811 (Eleven) wrote: ""I'm curious what you're biggest issues are. I didn't love it either. ..."I really didn't have any big issues. I had an..."
Well, I'd say it's more like stating your opinion and preferences for what you read. Not every book is going to be loved by everyone. If there are things that grate on you when you read then it's fine to review a book and state that. Other people may dislike the same things. And what bugs you may not bother someone else. :)
I personally loved this book, but I probably don't find the same things irritating that you might. I like seeing other opinions, b/c it fuels discussion. If we all smiled and nodded and agreed this would be a boring thread LOL!
11811 (Eleven) wrote: "I obsess over little things like that and wonder how it made it past the writer, the editor, the publisher, anyone who may have proofread it... You don't have to watch Criminal Minds to know how dumb that part is and remove it from the novel. See how I'm obsessing?"Both as a professional writer and an avid reader I rarely find a book these days that doesn't have a typo some where in it. My husband's last book was self-published, but we hired an editor who went over it twice, a whole bunch of beta readers, and of course, ourselves and typos still got through! It was absolutely maddening! LOL.
As for the point being discussed above about the obvious question Gabi asked, all I can tell you is that writing a novel is an insanely complicated undertaking. I obsessively check details, etc, but you simply can't know everything and I just accept I'm going to get some things wrong. I also accept that it's perfectly fair for readers to point out those mistakes!
I'm at about 72% in now and at about half way through the book I actually started enjoying it much better, although the writing style still bothers me at times and I wish the big bad was a little better developed and more menacing. The dialogue, even between Layla and Cas, has gotten much better. The parts with Jonno are much better too now that I know (as someone else pointed out previously) I'm supposed to be repulsed by him. Things are still very unenven; for example, at somewhere around 65% I think, (view spoiler).
Depending on how things go in the final quarter this may get upgraded to three stars, but it's hard to get past how awkwardly written the first half of the book is.
Depending on how things go in the final quarter this may get upgraded to three stars, but it's hard to get past how awkwardly written the first half of the book is.
Andy wrote: "I'm at about 72% in now and at about half way through the book I actually started enjoying it much better, although the writing style still bothers me at times and I wish the big bad was a little b..."Good to hear! This confirms how I felt, but I thought maybe it was my fault, that I wasn't paying enough attention. I also liked the same chapter you did.
♣Stephanie♣ wrote: "Well, I'd say it's more like stating your opinion and preferences for what you read. Not every book is going to be loved by everyone. If there are things that grate on you when you read then it's fine to review a book and state that. Other people may dislike the same things. And what bugs you may not bother someone else. :)
I personally loved this book, but I probably don't find the same things irritating that you might. I like seeing other opinions, b/c it fuels discussion. If we all smiled and nodded and agreed this would be a boring thread LOL!"
11811 (Eleven) wrote: "I also feel wrong sometimes for criticizing the writing of someone who has accomplished far more than I ever did but it's Goodreads so I think it's allowed and even encouraged. As long as no one is being a dick and criticizing the author instead of the book, we can all be armchair book critics."
Agreed with both of you and I certainly wasn't calling anyone else out for being negative. I'm just finding that lately I'm focusing too much on the negative and I'm making a lot of critical comments in the groups and my reviews (I think because for whatever reason I just find it easier to articulate things that bother me than things that I like), so I'm trying to at least temper that negativity a bit.
I personally loved this book, but I probably don't find the same things irritating that you might. I like seeing other opinions, b/c it fuels discussion. If we all smiled and nodded and agreed this would be a boring thread LOL!"
11811 (Eleven) wrote: "I also feel wrong sometimes for criticizing the writing of someone who has accomplished far more than I ever did but it's Goodreads so I think it's allowed and even encouraged. As long as no one is being a dick and criticizing the author instead of the book, we can all be armchair book critics."
Agreed with both of you and I certainly wasn't calling anyone else out for being negative. I'm just finding that lately I'm focusing too much on the negative and I'm making a lot of critical comments in the groups and my reviews (I think because for whatever reason I just find it easier to articulate things that bother me than things that I like), so I'm trying to at least temper that negativity a bit.
I started out disliking it, but now I really only dislike the chapters with Layla. The story is pulling me in and I'm anxious to see how it all plays out.
Jayla wrote: "I just started reading it and I'm only like seven percent in but I feel like all these different points of view are kind of confusing. Like too many characters are introduced in the beginning."Once you know all the characters, it gets easier, but I felt exatly the same at the start.
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Kimberly wrote: "Agh! My library book was only a 7 day take-out (no renewals because of the waiting list), and I haven't started! Sigh..."Kimberly, if you have an e-reader, PM me and I'll loan you my copy.
I'm finished and I have to say, the book was mostly a disappointment for me. I gave it 2 stars. I'd like to at least be able to say that there's a good story in there somewhere if the author had done a better job telling it, but actually I don't think the central premise is all that original or interesting either - the book failed for me both in concept and execution.
The author's writing style seemed very awkward to me, and I wonder if it has something to do with her being South African - maybe something is getting lost in the cultural translation for me? At many points I would just find the author's way of describing things so distracting that it would take me right out of the story. Here's one small example: around page 375 (view spoiler). There was a lot of that clunkiness throughout the book. The whole thing felt like an unfinished draft to me that needed further editing.
The best I can say for the book is that it did get a little better as the story came together in the second half, but it was still uneven and the elements of her writing that bothered me persisted. I was hoping a strong ending would merit a bump up to 3 stars, but no such luck.
The author's writing style seemed very awkward to me, and I wonder if it has something to do with her being South African - maybe something is getting lost in the cultural translation for me? At many points I would just find the author's way of describing things so distracting that it would take me right out of the story. Here's one small example: around page 375 (view spoiler). There was a lot of that clunkiness throughout the book. The whole thing felt like an unfinished draft to me that needed further editing.
The best I can say for the book is that it did get a little better as the story came together in the second half, but it was still uneven and the elements of her writing that bothered me persisted. I was hoping a strong ending would merit a bump up to 3 stars, but no such luck.
Andy wrote: "I'm finished and I have to say, the book was mostly a disappointment for me. I gave it 2 stars. I'd like to at least be able to say that there's a good story in there somewhere if the author had ..."Well said.
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You have a different version of the book than I have. My book describes the sound you mention as being like the sound of a well-hit baseball. More appropriate for an American audience.
Interesting.
WendyB wrote: "Andy wrote: "I'm finished and I have to say, the book was mostly a disappointment for me. I gave it 2 stars. I'd like to at least be able to say that there's a good story in there somewhere if th..."
Oh, that is interesting. I don't think the Americanized version of that sentence works any better for me, but I wonder if maybe there are other passages in that edition of the book that would have.
Oh, that is interesting. I don't think the Americanized version of that sentence works any better for me, but I wonder if maybe there are other passages in that edition of the book that would have.
Just started reading this, we'll see how it goes...seems interesting?
Latasha wrote: "I want to read this but I'm just not sure about paying that price for a book I don't know if I will like. I checked my local libraries and they did not have it. oh well. maybe next time. I voted on..."If you have a General E-Books app on your phone you can find this one free.I just got it a few hours ago, it's Patient Zero I'm having a hard time getting :(
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Kimberly wrote: "Okay, I'm at 59%, and I think I'm in the minority here. I just really don't care for the writing style, and am not "feeling" for any of the main characters... :(. I will finish, but definitely no..."Actually, Kimberly, I don't think you are in the minority. I've never seen a "pick" get such a lackluster response. Granted, I've only been participating for a year, but Broken Monsters mostly seems to inspire a giant "Meh" in people, including myself.
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Well, at least I'm not the only one--:)
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On to the next one!
I'm taking it pretty slowly. It just hasn't really sucked me in yet, and then I decided that I'd read Snuff by Terry Pratchett at the same time, because I'm not bringing a huge hardcover into work with me. I think I'm close to 100 pages now. I'm finding a lot of the details pretty forgettable so far.
I just started this last night and I;m about 40% done. I really liking this one, moreso than the Shining Girls. It is a bit hard to follow all of the different characters but I feel like they will all interchange soo.The parts with Layla are definitely annoying but I agree- it's because she is a teenage girl and her friend Cas is a bad influence!
I have a bad bad feeling about them messing around in chatrooms.....
I've read the book not long time ago and absolutely loved it. The diversity of characters was great, so was the way they came across each other.I get why some of you find Layla and Cas annoying, but personally I think it was a quite accurate portrait of modern teenagehood.
Revelation about Cas was quite a surprise to me and explained a lot of her behavior.
Overall, I think they had a quite good friendship going on, regardless of the way they executed it ;).
It was my first Lauren Beukes novel and it totally hooked me on her other work.
I'm about halfway through, and I'm enjoying this one way more than Patient Zero. The Layla chapters aren't as bothersome to me as to some of the other commenters.
For the most part, I don't mind them. I just cringe every once in awhile when it seems overly fake.
As for the situation with Gabi discussing police matters - I read that more as if she feel her and Layla's relationship is so strained that she's almost tossing out anything to bait her into a dialogue.
I didn't see it as "oh she doesn't know cop procedure" but more like she's making a flawed decision b/c she's stressed and losing her daughter (it would seem to her). Being where she is - always so busy, lost her husband, crabby teen daughter pulling away from her - I mean I can see where she'd have that brief lapse in judgement possibly.