This one is pretty slow. Everyone seems to have loved this, but I was quite bored throughout. The timehops between the past and the present weren't suThis one is pretty slow. Everyone seems to have loved this, but I was quite bored throughout. The timehops between the past and the present weren't super clear in audio so I wasn't always sure at first which timeline I was in. The "mystery" was lackluster at best, and zero tension throughout. I also feel like I'm in a pretty big reading slump so nothing seems enjoyable or able to grasp my attention, so maybe this wasn't as slow as I'm thinking. Not sure. Either way, this isn't a book I'll be remembering weeks from now. ...more
OMG I was soooo angry but I have to hand it to McTiernan for absolutely reeling me in (view spoiler)[and making me think Simon was going to get away wOMG I was soooo angry but I have to hand it to McTiernan for absolutely reeling me in (view spoiler)[and making me think Simon was going to get away with it but then Simon AND his mom AND his dad are served their just desserts at the end and it was **chef's kiss**. As a mother; I understand the desire to protect your child, even if he turns out to be a murderer, but since Jamie had absolutely NO sympathy for the position LeeAnne was in over her missing daughter, I LOVED that LeeAnne shut the door in Jamie's face when she was in that same position when Simon was 'missing'. Absolute karma and I loved it. I also loved seeing a wealthy and powerful family crumble and that their wealth didn't 'save' them and allow them to know that Simon killed Nina and help him get away with it. It feels a little hypocritical to say that but then applaud LeeAnne and Andy for getting away with Simon; but since Jamie and Rory had no intention of ever letting LeeAnne and Andy know what happened to their daughter, and that Simon was abusive and intentionally let Nina fall and almost die (which I'm 100% sure that killing her on the crag had been his intention) then killed her when she tried to leave him, I don't feel so bad because they were all terrible people to begin with. We never get Simon's POV and besides the prologue, the entire book is told from the POV of the 4 parents. Never once, even upon discovering that Simon intentionally killed Nina, did Jamie or Rory feel bad for LeeAnne and Andy, they only cared about themselves and their killer son Simon. LeeAnne and Andy had their world destroyed by that entire family. (hide spoiler)]
I did get major Gabby Petito and BL (I refuse to say his name because he doesn't deserve the notoriety) vibes in the first 5 or so chapters. It results in being not the same story, but definitely maybe a piece of this book coming together. This was un-put-downable for me....more
I didn't understand the format of why this was told in the way of Tabatha telling us the story. The weird little editorial comments in there were jarrI didn't understand the format of why this was told in the way of Tabatha telling us the story. The weird little editorial comments in there were jarring and threw off the pacing. It would also make the narrative switch between first and third person constantly, which was also jarring. Also all the weird race references in the beginning were odd and felt forced; especially since it never really came up again after the first 15-20%. There is also a huge lack of character development; we really don't know anything about these characters or what makes them who they are. Tabatha never uses magic in the book, even though she's a sorcerer's apprentice...????? And all the going on and on about how her parents would find it dangerous and all that. Like, what? Too much just didn't make sense in this book....more
StoryGraph Reads the World 2025 Challenge: Australia
This one just didn't work for me the way it did for others.
The format of the narrator talking dirStoryGraph Reads the World 2025 Challenge: Australia
This one just didn't work for me the way it did for others.
The format of the narrator talking directly to the reader, then transitioning into telling what happened, has to be done right to work in a book, but this didn't work for me in this book. There is a fine line with it and the 'humor' and witty remarks by the narrator Ernest was just too over the top and grated on me, rather than the author's intended effect of humoring the reader. There's very few books I've read where I haven't minded that, and that's for sure personal preference. To me, it comes off like the author is trying too hard, and it's too jarring.
There were lots of leaps at the end when Ernest was explaining all the clues in the little family circle time; too many conclusions drawn that were flimsy at best.
The premise is good, but this just wasn't my cup of tea, but I can see why other people would greatly enjoy this books....more
The StoryGraph Reads the World 2025 Challenge: Egypt
Ancient Egypt is certainly a fascinating place. Its hard to believe that it's been 9 years since IThe StoryGraph Reads the World 2025 Challenge: Egypt
Ancient Egypt is certainly a fascinating place. Its hard to believe that it's been 9 years since I was in Hurghada and Cairo, and this book brought those memories fresh to my mind. I wish I had also gotten to go to Aswan, Luxor, and Alexandria while I was there to see more things. I guess that means I just have to go back some day. The pyramids are truly breathtaking, and I can only imagine the other temples and burial sites would also be breathtaking. This was an interesting look at the women who were rulers during ancient Egypt. Quite a bit is speculation since there's no documentation so there's still lots of mysteries and gaps with certain events, but the author does a good job making known when she's speculating and when she's talking about documented events. Personally, I'm fascinated by Egypt and have some personal ties there, so it's interesting to me; however, I can see that this could be quite dull and drab to someone else. This book can be dry in parts. Personally, I didn't mind the parallels that the author was drawing to modern day issues. I think her aim was to show that even though ancient Egypt and modern-day America are different culturally and government/ruling wise, there are still some of the same pervasive problems as far as being short-sighted and the patriarchy go. I took it more like showing that there can still be commonalities found in human behavior 4000 years apart. And while some of what she said may have been stereotypical, it is true that a majority of women rule differently than how a majority of men rule. I'm not sure why many were claiming that idea was sexist. Were some women more prone to war and violence? Yes. Were some men more reserved and nonviolent? Yes. That doesn't negate that while humans have been under a patriarchal society men in power tend to be more violent than women in power. She does note women like Kleopatra who were exceptions to that, so I guess maybe I didn't analyze it as deeply as other readers, idk....more
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