I must say it was difficult to read from time to time, as there is a lot of upsetting content in it, but it's not done in a vulgar way and put togetheI must say it was difficult to read from time to time, as there is a lot of upsetting content in it, but it's not done in a vulgar way and put together very powerfully.
I loved Hess, and Thurin, both strong characters with their flaws. Hess specifically fits quickly into the very likeable anti-hero space in the eyes of the reader. I wish there wasn't the classic 'encounter with the villain and action' section in the end, this book really didn't needed it. But the ending was beautiful. I can't say too much about the plot to not to reveal but I can say Chestnut Mans will haunt you forever after reading this book.
Gritty, disturbing, dark Scandi-crime, there are trigger warnings but pick it up if you have the stomach, you won't be disappointed. ...more
This was pretty good considering it's almost a retelling of Rebecca, a story every book or movie lover knows of. I can't help to think it could have bThis was pretty good considering it's almost a retelling of Rebecca, a story every book or movie lover knows of. I can't help to think it could have been a tiny bit shorter but the ending was perfect.
I really loved this modern, twisted Rebecca retelling. Full review soon!...more
Junior and Henrietta (Hen) live in the middle of nowhere...One day a Full review here on my blog "We don’t get visitors. Not out here. We never have."
Junior and Henrietta (Hen) live in the middle of nowhere...One day a man called Terrence arrives. He's from a company working with the government. He declares himself as the bringer of good news. Oh, annoying he seems, he speaks professionally. He knows the best.
Junior has been selected/long listed as a possible candidate to go to space to start installation of a new settlement. This will take a long time, if he actually gets selected. So he will need to leave Hen alone. But they've thought everything. They have a solution for Hen, so that she doesn't feel lonely.
Oh, god this was such a good read. Spot on to say it's for fans of Black Mirror, so true. Even the names of the characters are beautifully put, Hen(!) and Junior.
It's not an eventful book, but a psychological and philosophical story set between 3 characters, a touch of science fiction but not heavy on sci-fi side at all. Could easily be adapted to a theatre play. There are a few surprises in the end, which you can actually guess if you read really carefully.
I love it when a writer captures a situation in 250-ish pages, not using one unnecessary word. This is one of the short and powerful books.
I am happy to discover Iain Reid, will be reading more from him in the future.
Thanks for the publisher, and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review....more
Now there's a guarantee I am giving to you: If you liked Station Eleven you will love this book.
I have never heard of Karen Thompson Walker before, bNow there's a guarantee I am giving to you: If you liked Station Eleven you will love this book.
I have never heard of Karen Thompson Walker before, but felt intrigued by the book description on NetGalley. I am so glad I have read this book. It is one of the fabulous finds, a book you pick by instinct and left you amazed.
I can summarise this as a borderline science fiction character drama- just like Station Eleven it swirls around lives of a bunch of people after a catastrophe- although in this book it's not a world-wide event, but a small town disaster, Walker masterfully delivering the intense feel of a lock down. There is sadness in this book but it's not cringe, beautiful as if a form of art.
Set in fictional university town Santa Lora in California, the book starts when some college girls fall asleep and fail to wake up. They dream. But no one knows what's causing this. Story moves between different point of views, Sara and Libby with their paranoid dad, a young married couple, Ben and Annie with their new born baby girl Grace, two castaway college students, Mei and Matthew, and a man named Nathaniel. I found almost all character's point of views really enjoyable and loved the way the story was delivered. The last chapter is one to remember.
I personally think the situation of a virus spread was handled excellently- no exaggeration, o unnecessary drama, as if a dish with all proper ingredients and a spot on pinch of spices. If you like psychological books with touch of sci-fi I will highly recommend. 5 stars and will definitely read Walker again. ...more
This book could have been much shorter. There are bits that could be shorter. (See what I did here? :p)
I liked the plot idea, all of 2.5 rounded to 3.
This book could have been much shorter. There are bits that could be shorter. (See what I did here? :p)
I liked the plot idea, all of us know really book smart people with strong careers falling for absolutely unworthy people. The heroine, Caroline has a PHD and rock solid career, knows psychology but still gets abused by her manipulative husband, and these things do happen in real life. I loved the tension and her careful planning, but I feel the plot was a bit over the top after 70% - too much going on!
Not bad for a holiday read but I wish it was less repetitive....more
I found it difficult to give a rating to this book. Especially because I am limited with 5 scores. This book for me is a 7/10 or 3.5/5, I must say thiI found it difficult to give a rating to this book. Especially because I am limited with 5 scores. This book for me is a 7/10 or 3.5/5, I must say this first.
Cloke's writing is definitely enjoyable, this is not one of that disposable young adult novels, there's something to take away and remember about this story. However I think it could have been better. The book is a timeline of events, divided in 3 chapters. Told first from Hope's perspective, then her ex-boyfriend Logan's, and finally Logan's new girlfriend Daisy's.
I absolutely enjoyed the Hope's section, which was nearly half of the book, and I wish this book was just told from her POV or at least was switching through them one by one continuously, rather than giving them a whole slice of chapter. Because Hope is the most well built character in this story, the reader can't help to feel disappointed about not going back to Hope's feelings and her view point.
The story is not only about toxic friendships, it's also about the toxicity in the community we live in, which pushes the young people to behave in certain ways. From depression to binge drinking, consent to rape, the books talks about a lot of things. I wasn't crazy about the ending, it became a bit too didactic after one point. That's why I cut it down to 3.5 and rounding up in 3.
This is so far the most Agatha Christie flavoured book Hannah have penned!
The start of the book reminded me of "A murder is announced"- 4 people get This is so far the most Agatha Christie flavoured book Hannah have penned!
The start of the book reminded me of "A murder is announced"- 4 people get letters accusing them of murdering a man called 'Barnabas Pandy'- and the letters are signed by Hercules Poirot! Who is Barnabas Pandy and did one of these people: Slyvia Rule, John McCrodden, Hugo Dockerill and Annabel Treadway, really killed Mr Pandy?
Loved this book and so glad to be reading the world's best detective again. Full review soon!...more
This was a very intense book- and the most confusing novels I have ever read this year.
The start of it made me feel like I am reading about being damaThis was a very intense book- and the most confusing novels I have ever read this year.
The start of it made me feel like I am reading about being damaged by a man, being left, loveless. You know when you get heart ache you feel your family is the one and only place you can get unconditional love, no matter what you are. Then it started getting confusing altogether.
My first issue with the novel was the point of view. It was multiple, but after one point it fixed on Lia for ages. I felt the need to switch between Lia and Grace rather than getting stuck in Lia -which felt needy and teenager-like, but I guess that was the intention. And Sky: why was she in this book. Just another girl? What was her role.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. It was an eerie-tale. Dark, obsessive. Mackintosh's imagination blew me away. The practices of 'water cure' are so similar with things happening to girls all around the world. In some countries girls get slapped when they get their first period bleeding. This is to ensure they become obeying, dutiful wives. Some people banish women from their houses during menstrual bleeding. So I totally get the point in Mackintosh's dystopian world. And I was ready to give a fat 4 stars but then things got confusing. I was lost after 80% of the book. Sudden, action packed ending with a few flashbacks that weren't enough for my thirst of knowing. I would have preferred a more vague ending- because what has been revealed isn't and won't be satisfying to a tale like that. The dreaminess of the first half was clouded by the end-reveal for me.
I agree that it is Virgin Suicides meets Handmaid's Tale- and in some bits I swear I could see Mackintosh winking to Angela Carter- the red velvet and wolf etc. (Highlighted on my kindle!)...more
Did you like Ten Little Indians from Agatha Christie? Then you'll love this book. OK- it doesn't have a dazzlingly brilliant ending like T.L.I but stiDid you like Ten Little Indians from Agatha Christie? Then you'll love this book. OK- it doesn't have a dazzlingly brilliant ending like T.L.I but still a pretty enjoyable, tense, atmospheric read.
Some strangers come to a hotel for a weekend break. Snow and ice gets roads blocked. People start dying. Eeek! I was curling my toes to find out who the killer was. [image] I've read Lapena before and definitely will read her again! ...more
Full review here This book will win the Man Booker prize. I know it. (I will blame the jury if it doesn't)
I am in shock, and awe. I am disgusted by somFull review here This book will win the Man Booker prize. I know it. (I will blame the jury if it doesn't)
I am in shock, and awe. I am disgusted by some parts of this book but I am also equally blown away. I have never read something like this before.
I dived into this book after reading the truly vague blurb, and thought `oh boy, this will be either a favourite or a disaster!`. I am Turkish, not a native English speaker and of some heavily metaphorical books that is aimed to crack the reader's skull just doesn't work for me. So I had my doubts about this one but I am extremely pleased to say that it's turned out to be an absolute reading joy. So guys, first thing first: If I get this book with my second hand English, you have no right to say, "Oh I just don't get it" -I think I am making it pretty clear that I am officially a fan of this book-
The blurb is vague and it is for a reason. This book puzzled me for a long time, until 40% of the book I was a bit confused about who was who, and what was really going on. Once the pieces get connected I was transfixed, it was like seeing an avalanche coming on to me but I was so paralysed I couldn't move, I couldn't stop reading. I knew it'd hit me. I knew it was going to be a slap to my face. And it was but I enjoyed every moment of it. What happens in this book can be told in a paragraph and if I was told, I would have said 'Ewww' and refuse to read the book. The way it is told is so otherworldly, so dreamy, so damn good. It is in a way like Jeanette Winterson and Angela Carter- but better storytelling then Winterson and less bizarre than Carter.
This is a re-telling or re-imagining of something (not gonna say, not gonna spoil) but I am taken away with this writing.
Daisy Johnson could be our new Angela Carter dear readers. From now on I will read everything she writes. Even a shopping list.
5 full, bold stars. Just amazing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Jonathan Cape for a free copy in exchange for an honest review....more
Full review here If there was a contest of writing, that will require telling a story using the least amount of words, this book would win it this yearFull review here If there was a contest of writing, that will require telling a story using the least amount of words, this book would win it this year. A borderline novella, Ghost Wall is a powerful story that could easily be read in one sitting. I loved the idea behind this novel. The sacrificed bog girls, whose remains found, as characters they are quiet and unknown, as if they never existed but the proof of them being very much alive is there, in contrast with today's abused women in hands of bad-seed men. Silvie, short for Sulevia, a Celtic goddess, is living a hard life with her "almost not there" mother and abusive father. This father of Silvie's is a terror. He crushes both the mum and daughter both physically and psychologically. The family is involved in an expedition-like setting, in Northumberland , vast moors, where there is a professor and some students investigating the lives of ancient Britons by replicating the same style of living. Silvie's father, Bill, is helping the professor who is seemingly closing an eye on the ways Bill manipulates and uses his family. Bill is obsessed with 'ancient times' and mimicking the same style of living. It is not a long story, and I don't want to go on talking about the plot. The story is very powerful and dense. There were bits turned my stomach, and other bits where I felt ashamed/stressed reading on Silvie's behalf. It is a dark and depressing novel, but very well put together. Two things I didn't like about this novel, 1- The narration style. I am not sure if someone went out and about this year to young writers, and recommended them to write in a dreamy, first-person voice with long sentences that's shy to include punctuation to get long listed to awards? Why the sudden explosion of this style of writing? I am not a fan. 2- The ending. It felt a bit hasty. The start was intriguing, but find the ending the weakest point of the book.
Don't get me wrong, this was a really good book. When a book is good, you can't help thinking it could have been better. 4 stars and will definitely be reading Moss again....more
This book was best I've read from Lisa Jewell so far. OK, here and there, there might be a few exaggerated things in the story line, bFull review here
This book was best I've read from Lisa Jewell so far. OK, here and there, there might be a few exaggerated things in the story line, but overall it was so gripping and delivers everything you would expect from a mystery/thriller. Lisa Jewell's writing is always above average and in this book she's exceptional.
Sometimes it makes me cringe when I am reading thrillers with sloppy writing, where characters constantly bit their lips, have pounding hearts, having goosebumps in a maddeningly repetitive way and this book has none of it. There aren't any unnecessary, cringing paragraphs but it's all tidy and good quality writing.
The characters are solid and real. (maybe except the villain) Surprise ending is delivered nicely, tension didn't drop until the end for me. A 5 star in mystery/thriller category.
I also think Jewell really writes her teenagers much better than her adults. The Girls and this book are my favourites from her and they both have groups of teens which are brilliantly portrayed.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the free copy in exchange for an honest review....more
It's so difficult to rate this books in 1 to 5 mark. This is better than 3, but not a 4 star. Do you understand me, GoodReads?
Cass Green returns withIt's so difficult to rate this books in 1 to 5 mark. This is better than 3, but not a 4 star. Do you understand me, GoodReads?
Cass Green returns with a new book after "In a Cottage, In a Wood". There is again good writing, and Green doesn't agitate readers with dragging details of abuse and violence, unlike some other writers and I deeply respect that.
However somewhere between 40%-70% I felt like the story was stretched. I was distracted, and couldn't help to think this novel could have been trimmed to be better.
Still a good domestic thriller if you are a reader of this genre.
What a fabulous find this book was for me! I loved and enjoyed it. If it wasn't a friend's recommendation I wouldn't have requested to read it on NetgWhat a fabulous find this book was for me! I loved and enjoyed it. If it wasn't a friend's recommendation I wouldn't have requested to read it on Netgalley. I really enjoyed the idea of independent women in an age of female dependency on male relatives. Our heroine Frances is not short of bravery or wit! If the book was a tad shorter I'd happily mark it 5 stars but there were stretches that was a bit *yawn* . Still a great book, nice and interesting characters, solid and satisfying plot. A truly uplifting and feel-good read :)
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a free copy in exchange for an honest review....more
First of all- ignore the blurb. This isn't anything like Han Kang writes. Just because they're both women Full review here I liked this book very much!
First of all- ignore the blurb. This isn't anything like Han Kang writes. Just because they're both women writers from far east doesn't mean they write similar guys! Come on... Style and atmosphere is very different.
Anyway, our heroine, Keiko is clearly autistic. I haven't been to Japan, but from the books I have read it looks like people are ashamed of family members/friends who doesn't fit in, doesn't follow the rules of society. So as you can imagine, Keiko isn't a good fit and always struggles to make people happy. Until she starts working in a convenience store! From the peaceful hum of the fridges to indecisive customers, Keiko loves being a convenience store employee.
Not too much happens, this is a very short book, borderline novella. But it can be sat in one reading, very much liked it. Would definitely read again from Murata.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this free copy in exchange for an honest review....more
Unfortunately didn't finish- although reading up to 77%
The start was perfect. Over a hundred years old and a dedicated lifer, Lea has an accident afteUnfortunately didn't finish- although reading up to 77%
The start was perfect. Over a hundred years old and a dedicated lifer, Lea has an accident after seeing her longtime lost dad- and she cannot tell anyone about this. Because her dad is kind of a criminal. So the authorities think she was trying to kill herself by throwing herself under a car. And then she has to get inspected.
Then there is Anja, her once famous opera singer mum is hundreds of years old and bound to machines, and she's trapped in her own life as her mum's heart is trapped in hers. I won't lie- I found Anja's story far more poetic and beautiful. However the book is mainly about Lea.
These two's path intersect in a support group-ish session. Beyond this point the story became very boring, and uninteresting. Of course there is also the Suicide Club, with ties to Lea's dad, assisting people to kill themselves and somehow celebrating death rather than life.
I was astonished by the start and got myself ready for a dystopian sci-fi. However it didn't take long for it to transform into a story of these two women's lives and personal problems. We are introduced to tougher human bodies with technologies as Diamond skin, good-for-you lab food nutripacks, etc. But the world building unfortunately doesn't go beyond that.
After 77% I realised that I am no longer interested in what will happen. I wanted to like this book so much, as I think the subject is so promising and a great idea however it didn't work for me, such a shame. 2.5 stars rounding up to 3.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
I felt a little bit lost in start, unsure if it's because I didn't read the other books or because the subject was quite foggy itself. But this was stI felt a little bit lost in start, unsure if it's because I didn't read the other books or because the subject was quite foggy itself. But this was still a good read.
David Raker's wife is dead, and has been dead for 8 years. But one day a woman walks into a police station claiming she's his wife and she is not dead! She claims David is ill and has black-outs. David thinks she is a liar. But she resembles his dead wife so much...
So it turns into a tense WHO IS LYING game and although I skim-read some parts and think the book could have been shorter, this was still an enjoyable and tense read!
[image] Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review....more
This was a fantastic read, absolute woodoo spell of a book. Finished last night, I am still thinking about it. Full review on my blogThis was a fantastic read, absolute woodoo spell of a book. Finished last night, I am still thinking about it. Full review on my blog...more
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