(Full review soon) Initial thoughts: THAT WAS FUCKING AWESOME! What a ride! It's a triple locked room mystery full of pandemic survival horror, fast-pa(Full review soon) Initial thoughts: THAT WAS FUCKING AWESOME! What a ride! It's a triple locked room mystery full of pandemic survival horror, fast-paced action, atmospheric dread, emotional grit, and intellectual twists. And the multiple layered reveals, oh my gosh, this writer knows how it's done!...more
It's difficult to rate this due to its intriguing premise and yet scattered world-building. This story has the potential, and I was incredibly obsesseIt's difficult to rate this due to its intriguing premise and yet scattered world-building. This story has the potential, and I was incredibly obsessed with finding out about this futuristic world. The casual mention of highly technical concepts and geopolitical events was confusing and alluring. I really wish the technologies and technical references could have been elaborated further to create depth of environment to which a layperson could connect with.
The other difficulty rested in gaining an understanding of the main protagonists' feelings, worldview, and motives. It felt like it was assumed readers would be telepathic to the internal workings of this protagonists perceptions, but it really needed to be drawn out in obvious text. It somewhat becomes clearer towards the end, but even then, she still moves passively towards sudden new developments without much explanation. There were no guided hints towards her secret until the end, so her reveal just felt stilted. The ending was satisfying but rushed and complex due to sudden reveals. The story could have benefitted from further elaboration of technology, fleshing out of each colleague character, and improving the romantic tension emotional dialogue, all to create better tangibility.
Nevertheless, I still felt obsessed with Kristen. She's the badass every group needs. Strategic. Cunning. Five steps ahead. Yet somehow also five steps behind. And I wanted to love this story. I wanted to know more about this near future dystopia referred to as "surveillance capitalism". I did love parts of the book, the writing, and the intelligent uniqueness. I loved how there's some cat and mouse thrills. But it was overall disjointed, with major jumps between contexts or metaphors. It truly needs a refinement and it'd be excellent. That said, I would read another book by this author as I'm so intrigued by the style.
Thank you to NetGalley, Madeline Ashby, and TOR Publishing Group for this digital advanced copy....more
3.5 stars (audiobook) I need a re-read, this probably deserves a better rating as the ending was incredible. I just struggled throughout the middle to 3.5 stars (audiobook) I need a re-read, this probably deserves a better rating as the ending was incredible. I just struggled throughout the middle to grasp the characters and decipher the old fashioned manner of speaking. ...more
DNF at 20% Not the books fault - I just struggled to understand much of the Irish lingo. The characters and plot actually seemed promising, but the laDNF at 20% Not the books fault - I just struggled to understand much of the Irish lingo. The characters and plot actually seemed promising, but the language barrier for me unfortunately stifled the flow of reading, and I just wanted to enjoy a book!
I've heard others say good things, however, so try for yourself!...more
Clever. Couldn't put it down. Beautifully atmospheric, spooky and intense. I really enjoyed this. The multiple POVs worked great. Great characters. GrClever. Couldn't put it down. Beautifully atmospheric, spooky and intense. I really enjoyed this. The multiple POVs worked great. Great characters. Great ending. The steady build of anticipation, the unsettling intensity, the book gets increasingly better as you read. I loved the way the atmosphere wraps its dark tendrils around the scenario and it's unwitting wedding guests, the inhospitable landscape and seascape turmoil. The beauty and terror of the Gaelic landscape, it's jagged cliffs, its whispering winds, its dark peat bogs that swallow up secrets of past. I loved the coupling of the Irish folklore and cosy wedding tradition with the superstitious dark omens of its remote location. The writing gives life to the very island itself, making its guests rampant animals in fancy apparel.
It's a perfect locked-island murder mystery, with beautiful atmosphere. I'm definitely keen for more by Lucy Foley. I went into this one pretty much blind, except for knowing it was recommended as a locked-in murder mystery (which I'm a new fan of). My only issue that would make it a 4.9 stars, without spoiling anything, is a matter of things being too 'convenient'. But by how clever the overall book is, and how engaging the atmosphere, I'm willing to overlook this.
[Personal Sidenote- Reading this, a lot of personal experiences felt mirrored for me in these situations. Honestly, weddings are terrifying, and I found myself relating to multiple characters almost too closely. I related very much to Hannah's experiences, and re-living the situations were a little uncomfortable but also a relief knowing that others have felt similarly given there's a book about it. I attended a large Greek wedding where I was isolated most of the night, and my partner was part of the groomsmen, sitting on a special table, that also included the bridesmaids, one of which was one of his ex's. You can imagine the turmoil, rage, insecurity and loneliness I felt. Me, a sensitive introvert, with chaotic/estranged family history, also struggling to fit in with families, especially anything more than 3 people. The whole process of officiating "family", the officiating of something as tangible and personal as "love", the tension and history between family/friends/lovers, the big spectacle of wealth and performances. It can all be rather traumatizing.]...more
This was a very enjoyable crime thriller/horror manga, and I'm dying to know more from the next volume! I love locked-room murder mysteries, and exploThis was a very enjoyable crime thriller/horror manga, and I'm dying to know more from the next volume! I love locked-room murder mysteries, and exploring a visual format of that with some beautiful artwork is great.
Plot: A bunch of college students that are part of a murder mystery club, decide to visit an island where a horrible murder occurred the year before. They stay in the Decagon house, built by the eccentric architect who died in the same incident. Immediately, we get an eerie atmosphere from the remoteness of the island, and the strange claustrophobic, dizzying decadon-shaped hall of the house (10-sided walls). Tensions begin to rise and trust dwindles between the students, as strange incidents unfold. Meanwhile, simultaneously, we also piece together the mystery from the mainland, where one student (and ex-club member) receives a strange letter from the deceased architect.. which plummets her into some hardcore investigating.
What I enjoyed: The character setup and development is really good, we get a mix of diverse and mysterious characters. If you're looking for spooks and atmosphere, this one hits the mark. The choice of visuals really captures the mood of the story, and the character dynamics. Overall, it's a very balanced story. One thing I appreciate in manga, and particularly this one too, is the depth of intellectual discourse is of a certain level that really tingles the sapiophile brain. That, tied in with the logic puzzle of playing detective creates wonderfully engaging material. There's also a splash of humour and light heartedness to enjoy, which includes the comical story-breaker intermission panels at the end which are just some fun panels that help get to know the characters better (excuse my lack of manga/comic knowledge on what this term is, I tried to look it up and I've even done a graphic novel unit at uni! Oh, for shame!).
I am definitely invested in the rest of this series and would recommend for manga fans, as well as thriller/horror fans looking to branch out into something different.
Thank you to Netgalley, Kodansha publishing and Yukito Ayatsuji (writer) & Hiro Kiyohara (artist), for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review!...more
Incredible. I'm speechless. Absolute literary masterpiece. I'm still sitting here processing the essence of this book, afraid that my words will scattIncredible. I'm speechless. Absolute literary masterpiece. I'm still sitting here processing the essence of this book, afraid that my words will scatter the enormous complex experience that is nestled and alive in me at this moment.
After reading the author's note too, I felt teary. This is such a heartfelt story, nestled amongst a darkly suspenseful psychological horror. I have discovered a new favourite author. The way Malfi writes is exquisite. It flows. The plot circumnavigates full circle in a clever poetic manner so that everything connects back up like a debrief. It's beautifully written. It's eerie. There were moments I was genuinely scared, or felt dread, or would read over paragraphs multiple times just to enjoy the haunting atmosphere. The layers of psychological exploration is incredible. I feel like this book was handled with great gentleness. It's difficult to describe. A great respect for death, grief, friendship and the complexity of human lives.
And also absolutely unputdownable. I fell asleep with the kindle in my hand at one point. I have so much good to say about this book. It gave me amateur sleuth vibes of Gone Girl, the quiet dread of entering a radioactive town like in Silent Hill, philosophical layerings and red herrings of I'm Thinking of Ending Things, spooky horror scenes akin to Labyrinth of the Dolls, the loving tenderness and hauntings of The Haunting of Hill House and even the metaphysical undertones of movies like Interstellar .
I should probably address the plot: The recently widowed Aaron Decker, finds his late wife's secret stash of investigative info on the murders of six women, as well as the disturbing final page entry 'Gas Head will make you dead'. Aaron, still fuelled by grief, sets off to finish the project his wife started, on finding the answers to the murders, as well as finding answers to his wife's secret life. Throughout, he experiences eerie hauntings, as he careens himself obsessively across the country, interviewing leads, and confronting the ever-present darkness around his heart. The closer he gets to the core of his mission, the more terrifying and dreadful the impact of the sentient rot and decay that lurks in the corridors of the small town consciousness.
"..The longer you spend in darkness, the easier it is for that darkness to become reality. It takes form, it gains life. I've spent a lot of time in darkness, Aaron, so much so that I've churned it up and stirred it to the surface and made it this real, tangible thing. It lives alongside me. It moves when I move."
Please go out and read this book.
I received a digital advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley, Titan Books publishing and Ronald Malfi for an amazing read.
I will not forget this book, and I am stockpiling Malfi's other books as we speak....more
This story is grisly, and definitely not for the faint of heart. The horror elements cut right to the bone,Genre: Paranormal horror/police procedural
This story is grisly, and definitely not for the faint of heart. The horror elements cut right to the bone, the gore is splattered across the chapters. The eerie and inhospitable snowy wilderness, coupled with lurking animalistic dangers is unnerving.
The plot centers around Haylee, a struggling attempted homicide survivor with PTSD. As she relives details of the horrific murders of her sister and husband through vivid and supernatural nightmares, she begins to unravel the trauma into something much more horrifying. Meanwhile, the local police force find strange similarities of a recent murder, connecting to Haylee's past.
As the police frenzy themselves into this chaotic case involving debauchery, cannibalism and extreme mutilation. The missing suspect retreats to the safety of the woods.. and hunts for its next feed..
The mystery of the woods, the murders and Haylee's memories are disentangled with the help of her new neighbourly friend Aaron, her overprotective father and a handful of unique characters.
Thoughts: I enjoyed how the paranormal horror was given adequate substance to tie into the human world. Often paranormals lack some kind of connecting framework. I found the characters very well written and appreciated the representation of important topics: racism, religion, homosexuality, bdsm, endometriosis & spirituality. The hefty length and spelling/grammar errors dampened the zone, and I think if there was less talking/repeated info, I wouldn't have struggled in the middle. But around 30% & 90% I felt sucked into the action. I also wish the ending could have been an epilogue to another..entity.
Overall, I enjoyed this and thought the writing was very intelligent, sentimental and gruesome. The story tied together very well and it was a unique framework of ideas.
Thank you to the author for a free copy of the ebook, for an honest review!...more
I actually really loved this. Smart, methodical and psychologically cutthroat. When a book is memorable, original, suspenseful & page-turning .. it getI actually really loved this. Smart, methodical and psychologically cutthroat. When a book is memorable, original, suspenseful & page-turning .. it gets a 5-stars from me. Which honestly is not often!
I am now a huge Ruth Ware fan. I loved the locked-in murder mystery vibe. I love the cat-and-mouse mind games. I love the claustrophobia, distrust and remoteness. All my senses were engaged during the highly tense scenes, and the writing perfectly captures the atmosphere throughout. There's also some high-stakes action which feels primal and rewarding. The rush of panic and adrenaline to survive at all costs on the hauntingly beautiful but dangerous alpine landscape.
I read Turn of the Key before this, and that was great (4.5 Stars), but for some reason this was much more thrilling and memorable. I'm worried about reading the older books from the bad reviews, but I really like this style. I'm definitely going to take a gamble anyhow!
I think Ware's style is very interpersonal, slow and methodical (which is probably why people may not enjoy this as much). But if you're a sucker for those interpersonal hints, body language, little conflicts, constantly re-guessing the culprit and a subtle build of tension - you'll enjoy this. ...more
Dnf - wasn't as captivating as some of the previous books I enjoyed by her. Sorry Tami.Dnf - wasn't as captivating as some of the previous books I enjoyed by her. Sorry Tami....more
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