And this is how you write a thriller centered in an isolated UK setting.
Layered family dynamics, great character work, and keeps you guessing, with tAnd this is how you write a thriller centered in an isolated UK setting.
Layered family dynamics, great character work, and keeps you guessing, with the added complexity of a wealthy Indian family living on an island in Scotland. So good, with no easy answers or cheap shots.
I’ve been on the train at that Fort William stop in the Highlands and ❤️!
Audio Notes: Absolute perfection on audio, with measured performances by Avita Jay, Ellie Kendrick, and Tamaryn Payne....more
Bored and completely incapable of mustering up interest in the murder or the past. Not awful, but very typical setting, structure, characters, writingBored and completely incapable of mustering up interest in the murder or the past. Not awful, but very typical setting, structure, characters, writing, with nothing particularly outstanding so far. Confusing/similar-sounding POVs, too.
DNF after 15 minutes. In a work of fiction, laying out all the issues—repeatedly� in the opening couple of chapters is not the most persuasive, entertDNF after 15 minutes. In a work of fiction, laying out all the issues—repeatedly� in the opening couple of chapters is not the most persuasive, entertaining, or emotionally compelling way to approach things, no matter how important the topic. Particularly in what’s meant to be a mystery. ...more
Quite enjoyed, in a Divergent kind of way. Liked the world and powers and action and plot, would be even better if the characters, relationsh3.5 stars
Quite enjoyed, in a Divergent kind of way. Liked the world and powers and action and plot, would be even better if the characters, relationships, and themes were more complex. Could also use loads more atmosphere, but I feel that way about most books marked as gothic or horror.
I liked it on audio, however, and would definitely try more by this author.
Props also for a New Adult age story that features actual writing....more
Listened to an hour, will try as regular book sometime. Narrator’s voice is pleasant, but it’s a bit…optimistic? Not quite putting me in a southern goListened to an hour, will try as regular book sometime. Narrator’s voice is pleasant, but it’s a bit…optimistic? Not quite putting me in a southern gothic mood. ...more
* an annoying recited list of characters, as if it were a play, along with "descriptive" notes and designated pronouns * a not-great voStarts out with:
* an annoying recited list of characters, as if it were a play, along with "descriptive" notes and designated pronouns * a not-great voicing of a young girl narrated by an adult woman "My name is Kiki, I'm a good girl and very smart for my age, and that's why I have to do homework sometimes, which is not fun."
I don't think this is supposed to be a mystery, but she is one of several personalities presumably narrating the story. That set-up is interesting, except that I really disliked the simplistic way it was written and voiced. I have a feeling that the portrayal of mental illness is going to irritate me as well.
She died just as she lived: alone, perplexed, and wearing something a bit shit.
There's nothing like a British rom com when the writing is sharp. So fuShe died just as she lived: alone, perplexed, and wearing something a bit shit.
There's nothing like a British rom com when the writing is sharp. So funny from beginning to end, with sparky chemistry and a lively heroine with a very full life—but one who sometimes feels uncertain and unanchored as well. There are also surprisingly touching secondary relationships, which are very close in feeling to the best parts of Sarra Manning's Unsticky.
“She writes about incredibly messy, well-meaning women� sort of sums up the whole book (and relationships and plot), too.
Overall, just muddled and la“She writes about incredibly messy, well-meaning women� sort of sums up the whole book (and relationships and plot), too.
Overall, just muddled and lacking in coherent flow, with frustrating non-obstacles (I’m looking at you, “I’m not gonna open this important box now,� “I’m suddenly gonna call off sex now,� etc) and annoying calculated missteps (“oh noes, I accidentally drunk-texted the wrong brother so I don’t have to take responsibility for my choices�) put in to drag out the story. Chemistry other than the actual grabby sex felt lacking, and aside from the occasional sudden sex scenes and engagement, a lot of the dynamics felt very YA--and it isn't helped that SO much YA is mentioned, even making allowances for her job as a youth librarian. Like seriously, I can't even think of an actual YA book that lists and is centered around so many YA titles and discussions.
Once again amazed that this didn’t go through more drafts and comes from a big publisher....more
I’ve read so many great indie romances lately—how is this happening? Story, sex, characters, humor, all done well and without the usual boost (from agI’ve read so many great indie romances lately—how is this happening? Story, sex, characters, humor, all done well and without the usual boost (from agents, editors, etc.) you’re supposed to get from traditional publishing. Such a nice surprise after being so underwhelmed by Not in Love.
First chapter is a little jumbled, but the rest of it is pretty much a funny, flirty dream....more
Not a thriller, in case you thought it was, as I did. But it's a very well-written post-mortem of what happens when a woman wakes up naked after a worNot a thriller, in case you thought it was, as I did. But it's a very well-written post-mortem of what happens when a woman wakes up naked after a work party with no memory of what happened to her.
I don't have the brain space to write the review this book deserves, but it's a good companion piece to Consent, Know My Name, and The Female of the Species. Like TFOTS, this one delves into sensitive subjects under the guise of riveting fiction, and also explores racism, cultural identity, complicated parental bonds, and various relationships. (view spoiler)[The amount of dismay and rage I felt when she finally tells her boyfriend about her rape and she ends up comforting him. Unfortunately a familiar dynamic for many women, as well as all the fallout that follows. (hide spoiler)]
I was not at all prepared for this, but I'm glad I read it nonetheless. Really well-written, and an author to watch.
Audio Notes: The audio performance by Rosa Escoda is absolutely perfect....more
Shades of ACOTAR and other romantasies, but the further you get into it, the more it feels like a stereotypical new adult romance than anything else. Shades of ACOTAR and other romantasies, but the further you get into it, the more it feels like a stereotypical new adult romance than anything else. The mythology isn't all that compelling, and the romance just has all those conventional NA beats, characters, back stories, sex, and rote language. It’s not specifically terrible, but none of it offers much genuine surprise or excitement, either.
Some editing issues here and there, and quibbles with the endless parade of exes/past histories that sort of move the plot along but don't really have much of an impact on the characters otherwise. Taking it off the "adult" shelf and leaving it on PNR/UF, though that's probably being a bit generous. I would have been more tolerant if the story had wrapped up in the one book, but in pursuit of romantasy cred, this one seems set on presenting itself as an epic fantasy series.
2.5 stars
Audio Notes: The narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker does well overall, except that the way she reads the FMC makes it feel very very YA/NA, though I guess that's fine if that's what you're interested in. Her MMC voice is pretty good at first too, except that there are more plummy UK characters/accents introduced, which then makes them all feel sort of put-on and indistinguishable.
But the worst comes when they start having sex and the MMC starts using that slow, lofty accent to talk dirty to her, and then I just started laughing and couldn't stop. I'd try another audiobook narrated by her, though, this was just a bad combination.
P.S. Breads Bakery, which is mentioned repeatedly but not by name, does have the best babka. But the chocolate one is better....more
There was a wound in me that kept unknotting its own sutures.
This story begins with a young woman receiving a stroke of good luck: she’s hired for a pThere was a wound in me that kept unknotting its own sutures.
This story begins with a young woman receiving a stroke of good luck: she’s hired for a plum job as a handler for one of several individuals plucked from various points in history so that the effects of time travel can be studied. Her assignment is �1847,� a Victorian polar explorer named Graham Gore who died on an Arctic expedition...in 1847.
Unlike so many synopses, this one describing the novel as “a time travel romance, a spy thriller, a workplace comedy,� is pretty accurate. Readers who are more interested in the mechanics of science and hows and whys probably won't enjoy this as much; this is a literary sci fi novel along the lines of Never Let Me Go where the focus is on the characters, ethical dilemmas, and emotion. It gently, stoically explores imperialism and the refugee/immigrant/person of color experience in a white culture, as well as ethics and personal responsibility. The writing is provocative and lovely, with piquant observations, moments of wry humor, an appreciation for history, and clear-eyed candor on the marvels and trappings of our modern world.
A couple hours before the end, the narrator referenced entering the “final weeks,� and I thought a slightly despairing oh no because I didn’t want it to end. This begins as an enormously entertaining book (especially if you’re prone to, ahem, romances with Victorian gentlemen), but towards the end, it shakes off its restraints and also provokes genuine anxiety, tenderness, and empathy. This story surprised me in the best of ways and left me both yearning and hopeful.
4.5 stars for an astonishingly assured debut.
Audio Notes: I LOVED Katie Leung’s narration. Her voice, accent, and subtly nuanced delivery were absolutely perfect from beginning to end. Please hire Cho Chang to read more books! And not just those with Asian characters. (The male narrator does a nice job, too.)...more
This is a tricky one to review, but I’ll just say that I hope this is taken in the spirit with which it’s meant.
This started off pretty well with theThis is a tricky one to review, but I’ll just say that I hope this is taken in the spirit with which it’s meant.
This started off pretty well with their office dynamic as she demonstrates her smarts, but the plot is all over the place after that. It goes fairly in depth into the burlesque job she takes when she loses the internship she was counting on, and then it goes into even more batshit territory with family drama and (view spoiler)[an incest scare (hide spoiler)] subplot. I know people like their dark romances, but this felt like a whole lotta plots stuffed into one book.
Overall, it’s a weird mix of solid angst porn/erotica combined with extremely melodramatic, cliché romance scenarios and occasional purple prose and clunky language. I’ll have to admit that that a good part of this was done convincingly enough (their chemistry, most of his faith in her abilities, and the his devastating emotional fallout over the part in the spoiler), but there’s just as much material that is cringey, if not more.
Perhaps the most tactful way to put this is that it feels as though the author is still early in her writing and reading career. But there are sparks of genuinely interesting things here—honestly, some of the hardest parts were the most well-written. It’s a case where it feels as though the technical skills and self-editorial eye haven’t quite caught up with the emotional intelligence yet. I’d keep an eye on this author, though—it’ll be interesting to see what happens with time.
And PSA: a lot of people already literally cringe at karaoke IRL or on tv. (Seriously, I’m hunched down in my seat trying to make myself smaller in case someone notices the subject coming up.) I cannot adequately describe to you the acute flaying agony of reading about it in a book, especially in a work outing/boss performance scenario. Staaaaahpp. I beg of you, please, please, please stop the madness....more
Wendy Darling
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