Four girls enter a cave, only three of them emerge five days later. This premise isn’t super original but it can be the foundation for a really good aFour girls enter a cave, only three of them emerge five days later. This premise isn’t super original but it can be the foundation for a really good and thrilling horror book. In my opinion Into the Sublime struggled at some points to really bring out its potential.
First off, I didn’t connect with the characters. Over the past years I learned that I really have to connect with the characters to feel the story and in this book the characters didn’t do it for me. Amelie was whiny and unreliable, we only see the other three through her eyes and I don’t think Amelie is capable or truly liking somebody beside herself, so I as a reader didn’t get the chance to see their real character traits.
The story itself was creepy and suspenseful at times, especially the longer they stayed in the cavern and the air got thinner. I really could feel the dread that was going through them. The supernatural aspect didn’t intrigue me as much and I had the feeling the author didn’t really know if they wanted to lean into the supernatural or if they wanted it to be more in the characters mind, it felt inconsistent.
Overall I don’t regret picking this book up. I had fun with it and will definitely give the author a new chance with a different book. ...more
I don’t even know where to begin. This is the first book I read this year where I really strongly felt about dnfing. I only decided against it, becausI don’t even know where to begin. This is the first book I read this year where I really strongly felt about dnfing. I only decided against it, because I got an arc from Netgalley. But this book was just so bad.
I hated the characters, all of them. I don’t know if it was meant to be funny how shallow and stupid the influencers were depicted. Maybe it’s meant to be a parody? If so, it didn’t do a good job of that either. I didn’t think it was funny, it was just so annoying all the time. And Rafi I hated the most. She was SO stupid! At times I wanted to bash her head in with a bat. All the talk about her podcast and being so overly clever and solving the ‘murder’ of the girlfriend of a popular musician. I’m actually wondering how anyone can believe that this dumb dumb is bright enough to produce a podcast, let alone one where she tries to solve a crime.
It’s advertised as a “funny YA thriller”. There was not one second I thought it was thrilling to read this garbage. I wasn’t scared for the characters or their situation. Everything was just so over the top ridiculous.
I always try to at least say something positive about a book, so here it goes: The cover looks beautiful and the band O-Town is mentioned more than once. (If you don’t know them, they were a boy band in the early 2000s). ...more
Even though it’s summer here, this book gave me the shivers. The setting in this book, the snow, the mountain, the cold, shifted me in a really uncomfEven though it’s summer here, this book gave me the shivers. The setting in this book, the snow, the mountain, the cold, shifted me in a really uncomfortable environment and I felt all the dread and panic our MC, Cecily, felt on that trip.
A few times I got annoyed with Cecily, but at large I liked her enough to care how her story ends and what fate she awaits. She was resilient, clever and knew what she could handle and what she couldn’t. And for me it was believable how she grew and surpassed herself.
Like I said, the story gave me the creeps. It was an entertaining mystery and an eerie setting that helped set the mood. The writing was good and coherent. ...more
This was a dark thriller. With the premise of a teacher wanting revenge for her daughter, who was murdered by two of her students, would you have expeThis was a dark thriller. With the premise of a teacher wanting revenge for her daughter, who was murdered by two of her students, would you have expected anything else?
The book starts slow, and the first half feels bloated with too many details and small events that don’t affect the story. I wanted to get to the point of it, wanted to know what the teacher knew and how her kid died. But the author took some time to create an eerie atmosphere and it didn’t take long when it completely sucked me in. I forgot everything around me and all I could do was reading. When I reached the end, I couldn’t believe that I flew through the pages like this and how much time had passed without me noticing. ...more
In the sorority murders we follow Lucas Vega, a college student, who tries to solve the murder of another student, that happened three years ago.
This In the sorority murders we follow Lucas Vega, a college student, who tries to solve the murder of another student, that happened three years ago.
This was a really nice and cozy thriller. I liked the idea of Lucas’ podcast, with which he tries to find new evidence and witnesses who might not know that they have witnessed a crime. The mystery behind Candace vanishing and her death was cleverly reconstructed even though it wasn’t a huge surprise who the killer turned out to be.
Lucas was likable but a bit annoying at times. He constantly did what he wasn’t supposed to, like breaking into a crime scene after a potential witness died. His decisions were stupid and didn’t even help him get very far with his investigations. Regan on the other hand was a delight and I still have some hope that we might get to see more of her if she becomes a PI.
This won’t be the last book I read by Allison Brennan....more
What would you do, when you’re grieving your husband’s death and learn that he was a serial-killer?
I enjoyed reading this book. The concept was very What would you do, when you’re grieving your husband’s death and learn that he was a serial-killer?
I enjoyed reading this book. The concept was very interesting and intriguing and after the initial introduction it got intense pretty fast. The book was suspenseful throughout the whole story. I even enjoyed the romance element in this book.
I think the twist was clever and the foreshadowing barely enough that one could guess the twist but wasn’t too sure that it would turn out the way one thought it would.
I liked Cameron as a main character, she acted irrational at times but that seemed to be realistic. She just lost her husband, the man she loved, and she found out some horrible truth about him. Now she has to live with his actions and the consequences.
This was one of the better mystery-thrillers I read in the last time. I recommend you check it out, if you think the plot sounds interesting. ...more
This month's pick for the literary dead Book Club was ‘Razorblade Tears’ and even though I hadn’t heard about it before, the title was so intriguing tThis month's pick for the literary dead Book Club was ‘Razorblade Tears’ and even though I hadn’t heard about it before, the title was so intriguing that I had to pick it up and I’m really glad I did.
It took me some time to get into the story and getting used to the voices that tell the story. There was a lot of discrimination and lack of understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and that turned me off a little, but I sticked with it and even though I didn’t share some of Ikes and Buddy Lees believes I could appreciate, that they tried to be better. It’s just sad to see that it needed tragic deaths that they started to question themselves.
The story itself was very interesting. I liked the different layers of it. There was a mystery (who killed Isiah and Derek) and a lot of action, much more than I anticipated but it was highly appreciated, at least from me. ...more
In this book we follow Liv, she’s had some bad trauma and every time she falls asleep she forgets everything that happened in the last two years.
MegaIn this book we follow Liv, she’s had some bad trauma and every time she falls asleep she forgets everything that happened in the last two years.
Megan Goldins writing style is compelling and fascinating. This book was really unputdownable. From the first second I was hooked into the story and Livs world. I was wondering what happened to her, what she did and why she was losing her memory again and again and again.
I’m normally not a fan of unreliable main characters, but in this case this gave the whole story a very nice turn and I enjoyed reading about Liv very much. Even though I was at times frustrated with her and the decisions she made, I think she was often clever.
I liked the whole concept and the story behind the crimes that happened. Not only were we discovering what happened to Liv two years prior to the plot, but also what happened on that fateful night we start the story.
It was my first book by Megan Goldin and I’ll definitely will readmore by her. ...more
In ‘The Ex-Husband’ we meet Charlotte, a woman who was married to a con-artist and who’s now, that they are divorced, trying to stay on the right sideIn ‘The Ex-Husband’ we meet Charlotte, a woman who was married to a con-artist and who’s now, that they are divorced, trying to stay on the right side of law and leave the past behind. But then Sam starts sending her cryptic messages and goes missing shortly after. It seems like someone knows what happened in the past.
The story is told from Charlottes POV in dual timelines. One where she meets Sam for the first time right to the point where he abandoned her at their last joint con, in the other we see the present and how Sams vanishing effects Charlotte’s life.
I love cruising and I love books about cruising, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that whenever I see a book that’s set on a ship, I HAVE to pick it up. So, the setting worked already in favor of the book, before I even started.
Charlotte is an interesting main character. She thinks highly of herself and what she deserves from life. That makes her really unlikeable in my eyes, but I was stuck with her and her obnoxious thoughts.
The twist was partly surprising, and I liked that. That’s also a plus for this book. ...more
In my years as a reader I’ve read quite a few April Henry books, especially when I was younger and when I heard there was a new book coming out by herIn my years as a reader I’ve read quite a few April Henry books, especially when I was younger and when I heard there was a new book coming out by her I knew I had to read it. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC and dove straight into it.
Two Truth and a Lie gives the reader exactly what it promises: a good YA Mystery-Thriller. It was well executed and I always thought April Henry’s prose was very accessible and I enjoyed reading it again.
If you have read some of my reviews you’ll know that I LOVE whodunits. There are so many great books out there with this trope and it never seems to bore me. And so it’s no wonder I liked it in this book as well. There aren’t many big reveals or twists, at least I thought it was very obvious where the story was going BUT still it was a very enjoyable read.
I liked most of the characters, Nell especially, she didn’t bore me or get on my nerves, even though I didn’t really understand her penchant for Knox. The characters were a little flat and could have been a little more flashe out for me though. ...more
After liking Simone St. James ‘The Sun Down Motel’ I always wanted to pick up another book by her. But for me, this book was a disappointment, and, inAfter liking Simone St. James ‘The Sun Down Motel’ I always wanted to pick up another book by her. But for me, this book was a disappointment, and, in this case, I know it’s a me-thing.
My main complaint is that it wasn’t very scary or suspenseful. The setting was interesting at first and I enjoyed the chapters set in the past more than the once in modern day, but there wasn’t anything really eerie. Also, I didn’t expect the WW2 theme going into this book. I do read books about that time and the post-war-era, but I want to know before I pick up the book.
In the beginning I didn’t connect with the main character, Fiona, and it took me some time to even start to like her. She had a sad past and I understand her struggle to go on without knowing all the answers and I don’t know why but she felt flat for me.
Overall, I didn’t enjoy my time with this book and around 50% I even thought about DNFing. I’m still looking forward to her next book, though. ...more
The concept of this book sounded great to me. A group of friends goes on a hike, one of them is a killer and everyone is afraid and wants to find out The concept of this book sounded great to me. A group of friends goes on a hike, one of them is a killer and everyone is afraid and wants to find out who it is and what really happened. So far, so good. The execution, however, wasn't at all to my liking.
I didn't like any of the characters and couldn't conect with them. They were selfish and horrible, all with their own secrets and I wasn't rooting for any one of them. Neither the "good", nor the "bad". And throughout the story it only got worse. They also make very dumd decisions throughout the whole book.
The writing style wasn't that great as well. It took me some time to get used to that, especially with all the inner monologue that a normal person wouldn't ever have. I get that the author was trying to be extra vague to not spoil anything for the reader, but the characters were thinking about their secrets as if trying to keep them a secret from themself. If I have a dark secret I either think about it or don't.
The story isn't really suspenseful, most of the plot the characters are running through a dark forest and trying to find a way out without really being in danger, at least I didn't have the feeling that there was any real danger.
I gave one star for the reveal of the killer though, I didn't see that one coming and was happily surprised by it. It redeemed the book for me a little at last. ...more
More secrets and mysteries await Avery in this second and penultimate book in the Inheritance Game trilogy.
There’s non-stop action in this book, AverMore secrets and mysteries await Avery in this second and penultimate book in the Inheritance Game trilogy.
There’s non-stop action in this book, Avery barely gets a chance to catch her breath while trying to discover the secrets behind her inheritance and the mystery of the Hawthorne family. Beside all that she also has to worry about who to trust with her own secrets and her heart, because betrayal lurks behind every corner.
The book is so fast paced and this is only increased by these very short chapters. It seemed like I was flying through this book. On the one hand, this was great, because I wanted to know everything at once. On the other hand, I wanted this book to last forever, because I enjoyed reading it so much.
When it comes to the characters, I obviously loved Avery, like I did in the first book. She is so clever and I think she’s growing through all those trials she has to overcome. I also really like the Hawthorne brothers, but it seems I have a very soft spot for Jameson.
I’m excited to find out how this story continues and what else we’ll learn about this family. ...more
After reading the premise for ‘The new girl’ I thought I was getting a solid YA mystery thriller set in a boarding school.
The book starts out slow, wAfter reading the premise for ‘The new girl’ I thought I was getting a solid YA mystery thriller set in a boarding school.
The book starts out slow, we meet our MC, Lia and get to know her on the day she starts at a new boarding school. From the first moment she doesn’t fit in, most girls want to get her out and start bullying her right away. The tension starts building up after that, but it always stays really slow. The climax and twist at the end of the book weren’t that surprising,
Most of the time I enjoyed Lia as a character. She got annoying at times and did some stupi stuff I couldn’t comprehend, but maybe that’s an age thing. It got worse over the course of the book, she did get on my nerves because she started acting irresponsible and ignorant which went against everything she worked for at the beginning of this book.
Overall it was an easy and quick read and I have some other books by the author on my TBR, so I’m going to read more from her. ...more
Victim 2117 is the eights book in the Department Q series by Jussi Adler-Olsen. If you are reading this review, you probably already know that you eitVictim 2117 is the eights book in the Department Q series by Jussi Adler-Olsen. If you are reading this review, you probably already know that you either enjoy his books or if you don’t. For the writing style hasn’t changed much from his last books, it was still very gripping and suspenseful, but something still felt different.
This book got a more personal touch than the other books, because it doesn’t cover a cold case like the other books, well in some way it does to be honest, but it’s much more on a personal level, because we learn a lot about the background of one of our heroes, Assad.
I personally would advice you to read the other books beforehand and not start with this book, because you need some basic information about the characters which you can only really learn by reading the whole story, their progression and development.
Personally, I felt that book dragged along to much and I wasn’t totally into the story, which made it feel a little tedious, but still it’s a good book and a must read for fans. ...more
I normally hate to say, that a book is surprisingly good, because why would I pick up a book if I wasn’t expecting it to be good? However, this one waI normally hate to say, that a book is surprisingly good, because why would I pick up a book if I wasn’t expecting it to be good? However, this one was good and surprising.
The concept was really interesting. Set thirty years in the future, snow and ice are a novelty and if you want to experience it, you can book a time slot at an artificial underground glacier and feel the cold snow and wintery atmosphere.
Due to some greedy staff members and unfortunate circumstances, 7 people get stuck in Glacier Haven for the weekend. Without food or any means of getting warm the tourists try to keep themselves alive and while the temperature sinks, some of the characters show their real face.
This book was gripping from the first page through the last, I was at the edge of my seat the whole time wondering what would happen next and how they would battle their environment. The creepy and gloomy feeling never left me while reading.
One negative thing I want to mention is, that one character is a victim of abuse, both physical and emotional, and even though it was never explicitly mentioned I sometimes had the feeling that the book wanted to say: see, she is horrible, it was okay how she was treated, which is not, of course. It doesn’t matter how bad a person is, abuse is never okay. ...more
A mysterious present leads to a scavenger hunt around town on Cleos 18th birthday. Nearly a year after her boyfriend Declan (in some versions Cyrus) dA mysterious present leads to a scavenger hunt around town on Cleos 18th birthday. Nearly a year after her boyfriend Declan (in some versions Cyrus) died during a rafting trip Cleo and her friends made.
This book starts creepy enough and the tension always seems to be high as the hunt for answers and clues turns more and more sinister. I liked the mystery behind everything, trying to guess the culprit and the reasoning behind everything.
I also liked the main character and her friends, even though they weren’t all that flashed out and could have used a little more depth.
Overall I would recommend this book. I had fun reading it and will check out more books by this author. ...more
Going into it, I thought this would be a typical whodunit, which is one of my favorite tropes. It turned out to be something totally different, but I Going into it, I thought this would be a typical whodunit, which is one of my favorite tropes. It turned out to be something totally different, but I loved it, nonetheless. We accompany a young woman who just lost her parents to a secluded island, where she is part of a TV-Show. The show is about 8 stranger who challenge themselves to live alone for a year on said island.
We get to meet our MC, Maddy, first. We learn about her struggles now, that her parents are dead. How isolated she always felt and still feels. Maddy always was an outcast and just seeks an escape from her life. This all caused me to feel for her and when everything on the island turned sour for Maddy, I was on her side.
The group reaches the island early in the story and we see them trying to build fire and shelter and forming bonds. With time going on we can see the first cracks in their solitary and team-spirit under the pressure they are under. One aspect that made this book so great, was that It felt realistic how the different characters acted and even when it was unfair towards Maddy, I think this could be something that happens in real life. This made the story feel genuine.
After the initial getting to know the characters, the situation, and the island it got super exciting and unputdownable. It was terrifying and I flew through the pages to get some resolutions. At times I felt very anxious, and I haven’t had that in a long time with a book.
The book was action-packed, fast paced and everything you want in a mystery thriller. I enjoyed the ride and I want more. ...more
The beginning of this book is great, it caught me by surprise, and I was hooked right from the first page. That excitement died down a little during tThe beginning of this book is great, it caught me by surprise, and I was hooked right from the first page. That excitement died down a little during the read but it still kept me on my toes and making me want to read faster and know how it all turns out.
The parts in the past were really good, I thought about what I would do in this situation and I was always looking for the next catastrophe to happen, because something had to go wrong, right?
The parts about the presence were also interesting, but not that suspenseful. Yes, I wanted to find out what happened, but I also wanted to go back to the island and know what happened there and how that story continues.
The only small disappointment for me was the ending, I obviously don’t want to spoil anything here, but I think the author made some decisions that I probably wouldn’t have made and that felt more like a decision to please readers and not to really fit the story. ...more
„Saving people, hunting things – the family business”. Most people probably know this line from one of the most famous ghost and demon-hunter family, „Saving people, hunting things – the family business”. Most people probably know this line from one of the most famous ghost and demon-hunter family, the Winchesters. In this book we follow another family of ghosthunters with a set of special skills to banish ghosts from this world.
This was an okay read for me. It had some things I enjoyed, Darryl and Janusz and their relationship especially, but there were also a lot of things I didn’t enjoy, like the whole character of Brenda for that matter. She reminds me of a woman I know in real life, who I really dislike, and it reminded me so much of her, that I couldn’t get the connection out of my head. I know this is a me-problem, but it made it hard for me to enjoy this book.
The mystery and story behind it were okay, in the end it got a little too much for me, but it wasn’t too bad. I didn’t really care for the other characters; they were just there.
I felt a lot of things were quite repetitive. Spreadsheets were mentioned a lot, also food and carbs. I think it was meant to be funny but for me that felt flat and in the end when one of those things was mentioned, I really had to roll my eyes. ...more
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