Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.
Even though this sounded intriguing, I was hesitant to read it since I loathe stories about infidThanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.
Even though this sounded intriguing, I was hesitant to read it since I loathe stories about infidelity so much, but I got an audio ARC and those are always fun. I had to stop reading, not because of the cheating, but because the sex scenes were so detailed. I knew going in that there would be plenty of them, but after one penis description too many, I had to quit. I thought the writing was good, so if you're less prudish than I am, there's plenty to keep your interest here.
Merged review:
Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.
Even though this sounded intriguing, I was hesitant to read it since I loathe stories about infidelity so much, but I got an audio ARC and those are always fun. I had to stop reading, not because of the cheating, but because the sex scenes were so detailed. I knew going in that there would be plenty of them, but after one penis description too many, I had to quit. I thought the writing was good, so if you're less prudish than I am, there's plenty to keep your interest here....more
Talk about the right book at the right time. I broke my ankle and all the books I was currently reading were good, but took more attention than what ITalk about the right book at the right time. I broke my ankle and all the books I was currently reading were good, but took more attention than what I could give. Cackle was exactly the light, atmospheric story that I wanted (although to be honest, I don't need a broken ankle to enjoy it). I wouldn't have minded some deeper insight into women's friendships or a little more scariness, but I loved that this fit the kind of Hocus Pocus-level horror that many people enjoy. Idealized towns always resonate with me (and lots of readers/viewers), but making it an element of Sophie's influence was a clever, critical note while still giving the satisfaction of existing in that space. I'm kind of mad right now that I gave this book away....more
Such a brutal read - I almost quit early on because it's very violent and has scenes of child abuse - but also one of the best depictions of plantatioSuch a brutal read - I almost quit early on because it's very violent and has scenes of child abuse - but also one of the best depictions of plantation life I've ever read. I'm honestly a little shocked that this is YA....more
I wasn't carried away as much as in the first book (the cheating angle left a baaaaaaad taste), but the fact that I still want to read these all the tI wasn't carried away as much as in the first book (the cheating angle left a baaaaaaad taste), but the fact that I still want to read these all the time says a lot. How are they so addictive!?...more
Holy crap I love this series. This is very similar in structure to Magpie Murders (a complete book within a book, which gives insight into the framinHoly crap I love this series. This is very similar in structure to Magpie Murders (a complete book within a book, which gives insight into the framing mystery), and I thought maybe that it would feel like an imitation of a trick I've seen before, but I didn't care one bit. It was truly an effort to decide whether to race through or savor each delightful page....more
This book is probably fine, but its unrelenting violence in the first hour or so of listening was too much for me. I can't take home invasions AND schThis book is probably fine, but its unrelenting violence in the first hour or so of listening was too much for me. I can't take home invasions AND school shootings. ...more
I liked this quite a bit better than the last Ruth Ware book I read The Woman in Cabin 10, and not just because it's more ghostly (but that did help!I liked this quite a bit better than the last Ruth Ware book I read The Woman in Cabin 10, and not just because it's more ghostly (but that did help!). I thought the solution to the super intriguing puzzle of Cabin 10 felt a little meh (maybe in movie form it would have been more startling?), but The Turn of the Key held its intensity throughout. Such creepiness! Some twists of the book were too obvious (to someone who knows what to look for after reading too many psychological thrillers), but others did surprise me and were satisfying plot points. What made the book really stand out for me, though, was the final (heartbreaking) reveal of the couple of pages, and the realizations and subsequent questions it raises. So so so well done....more
I had to stop reading this in the middle for another work commitment, and when I went back to it, I remembered nothing that had happened and had no inI had to stop reading this in the middle for another work commitment, and when I went back to it, I remembered nothing that had happened and had no interest in finding out....more
I don't think this was bad, but it was too graphic for me. I have been able to handle some more gruesome books lately, but torture is where I have to I don't think this was bad, but it was too graphic for me. I have been able to handle some more gruesome books lately, but torture is where I have to draw the line....more
Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.
I love a rich family's drama in a picturesque setting, but everything about the book felt surfaceThanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.
I love a rich family's drama in a picturesque setting, but everything about the book felt surface-level - the plot, the characters, the introspection. The characters are obviously meant to have secret depths beneath the public veneer, (please, let there be more underneath the surface of a family that says things like "Mom, can you make us some of your famous guacamole?" and tosses a football around as soon as they greet each other), but I didn't come out of it feeling like I knew any of them very well. Maybe it's because there are so many characters and the narrative shifted around? I think the author was trying to go for something more challenging, but I don't think it happened. Still, a pleasant enough read....more
Another genre-defying winner from Paul Tremblay. I love that he takes familiar tropes in horror and modifies them just a bit to comment on the genre aAnother genre-defying winner from Paul Tremblay. I love that he takes familiar tropes in horror and modifies them just a bit to comment on the genre and bigger issues in the world. I didn't find this exactly scary and it didn't suck me in like A Head Full of Ghosts, but it's certainly horrifying, and very moving in parts.
(Another little knock in stars because there were some super awkward sentences that popped up randomly, like they were written with a thesaurus.)...more