Lethal White Didn't Live Up To Its Predecessors

Title: Lethal White
Series: Cormoran Strike #4
Author: Robert Galbraith
Publication Date: April 23rd, 2019
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"I seen a kid killed...He strangled it, up by the horse."

When Billy, a troubled young man, comes to private eye Cormoran Strike's office to ask for his help investigating a crime he thinks he witnessed as a child, Strike is left deeply unsettled. While Billy is obviously mentally distressed, and cannot remember many concrete details, there is something sincere about him and his story. But before Strike can question him further, Billy bolts from his office in a panic.

Trying to get to the bottom of Billy's story, Strike and Robin Ellacott - once his assistant, now a partner in the agency - set off on a twisting trail that leads them through the backstreets of London, into a secretive inner sanctum within Parliament, and to a beautiful but sinister manor house deep in the countryside.

And during this labyrinthine investigation, Strike's own life is far from straightforward: his newfound fame as a private eye means he can no longer operate behind the scenes as he once did. Plus, his relationship with his former assistant is more fraught than it ever has been-Robin is now invaluable to Strike in the business, but their personal relationship is much, much trickier than that.

Review

It took me 8 months of reading Lethal White on and off before I could finally finish it. I would attribute that to how slow the first 500 pages of this book is, as well as a lot of meandering through subplots and minor events that, honestly, didn't have to really be introduced.

Strike and Robin make their reappearance in what I had hoped to be another thrilling and intense crime-solving story. Their investigation takes them into the lives of politicians and ministers, who all seem to be motivated by greed and power. The backdrop to this is strongly focused on corruption and secrets amongst officials who are supposed to be upright and law-abiding citizens. It's definitely a different take to what the first 3 books were like, in that instead of being focused on finding a killer or solving a mysterious death, there's a stronger element of political intrigue and uncovering political corruption, power privilege and issues of sexism, discrimination and forms of sexual assault.

Perhaps because I had an expectation that Lethal White would be similar to its predecessors, I was heavily disappointed in discovering that it wasn't. Rather than being fast-paced and shocking, Lethal White plods its way through the first 1/2 to 3/4 of the book to ultimately arrive at a more exciting and quicker paced ending. I didn't particularly enjoy the first 500 pages, finding the events to be unmemorable and really stagnant for my reading experience. Is it harsh to say that Lethal White could've foregone a lot of what happened in the first half of the story? Is it also harsh to say that I didn't really care for Robin and Strike's personal matters? Only because it was so repetitive and didn't have to take up so much of the story, like it did. I mean, it could've served as an example of how toxic relationships and behaviours can become a cycle, but I wasn't sure if Lethal White was attempting to deliver this message on top of its crime-solving plot.

It also didn't help that Galbraith wrote her characters as though this was the first time we were meeting them, instead of reading about Robin and Strike in 3 books already. So much of their past and what happened in the last three novels was repeated, which I know most sequels do, but it honestly came across as though Galbraith was worried, as a reader, I would have completely forgotten who the characters were.

However, once the story picked up (finally) the focus on the crime kicked in and I sped through the remainder of the book. I will still applaud Galbraith for her crime-writing abilities, in that they carefully and cleverly crafted the crime and the solution to it. When the truth was revealed it was such a satisfying "ah-ha" moment for me and somewhat made up for the time I spent wading through the first three-quarters, almost, of the book.

Anyways, the relief in finishing Lethal White basically told me that despite my enjoyment of the ending, it couldn't fully appease my not as enjoyable experiencing when reading the majority of this book.

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I Expected So Much More From Cooper Barthomolew Is Dead

Title: Cooper Barthomolew is Dead 
Author: Rebecca James 
Publication Date: October 1st, 2014
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Cooper Bartholomew's body is found at the foot of a cliff. 

Suicide. 

That's the official finding, that's what everyone believes.

Cooper's girlfriend, Libby, has her doubts. They'd been happy, in love. Why would he take his own life?
As Libby searches for answers, and probes more deeply into what really happened the day Cooper died, she and her friends unravel a web of deception and betrayal. Are those friends – and enemies – what they seem? Who is hiding a dangerous secret? And will the truth set them all free?

Review

Cooper Barthomolew Is Dead was one of those books that I was really anticipating, but ended up so different to my expectations. Not a terrible different per se, but lacked elements that I was after in a thriller. 

The biggest problem I had with CBID was the lack of intensity. There was the mystery, the build up, the plot twist and the reveal. However, there was no edge to any of it. I wasn’t holding my breath waiting to see what would happen next, nor was I surprised by a lot of it. The plot twist was interesting and introduced more depth to character development, but, much like a lot of the novel, there wasn’t much emphasis or focus on it. In fact, with the amount of issues that were included in CBID - LGBQT awareness, family ties, love and loyalty, substance abuse etc. - they were never explored thoroughly. That was another aspect of the plot that I thought could’ve been executed better. I feel like which such prominent issues, especially at the age of young adult readers, it would’ve been ideal to draw out these topics to learn from.

I did like though, how there were some real characters. Characters who were flawed and unlikable, but still had redeeming qualities so in the end I was still engaged emotionally with them. 

Cooper Barthomolew Is Dead was still an enjoyable read. I read it in a day and a half, and for being an easier read, I appreciated it for bringing me out of a really long readings slump. It’s somewhat hard to judge after having expectations that weren’t met, but I have seen some really positive reviews for this so it might be up your alley. 

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Film vs. Novel: The Girl On The Train

Title: The Girl On The Train
Author: Paula Hawkins
Publication Date: January 13th, 2015
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Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. Their life - as she sees it - is perfect. If only Rachel could be happy.

And then she sees something shocking, and in one moment everything changes. Now Rachel has a chance to become. part of the lives she's only watched from afar.

Now they'll see: she's much more than jut the girl on the train ...

Review

Between the book and the film, I can easily say that I found the movie to be a better experience in appreciating the story and its characters. I know, scandalous. I wouldn't exactly say the movie is better than the book, but that the method in delivering the story was more suited for me.

I struggled to engage with the plot and the characters because of the narration of the novel. It's written in first person, through the three female protagonists, in a stream of consciousness type of way. However, for the most part I found it to be stagnant and dry. I couldn't really relate to any of them and because of it being in first person, they were all so unreliable that I just didn't like any of them. For me, at least, I found the characters to be vehicles that drove the story rather than individuals with a story to tell (if that makes any sense). In saying that, the ending was gripping and I definitely did not expect the plot twist at the end. It made the novel worth the read, which was a relief. 

I preferred the movie for it's storytelling and acting. The events are told through flashbacks and voiceovers done by the characters, whilst the storyline progresses, which I liked. It made it more suspenseful and as a viewer I felt like I was right next to the characters, trying to figure out the mystery of the disappearance as well. Rachel, Anna and Megan also felt more alive. This is definitely due to having actresses play them, but the acting really made me believe that they were real life people recounting their stories. I actually empathised with them a lot, as opposed to despising them like I did in the book. All three are bound by a significant moment, but their past and present are marred by horrendous events that make them flawed in such saddening ways. 

Verdict

The Girl On The Train is still worth the read. Even though I enjoyed the movie more, I appreciated the novel for providing me minor details around the plot and characters that the movie didn't have. In particular the character Scott I found to be portrayed in such a bad light in the movie. You learn more about him in the book. Definitely watch the movie though. I really did like it.

Book Rating

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Don't Look Back by Jennifer L Armentrout

Title: Don't Look Back
Author: Jennifer L. Armetrout
Publication Date: April 15th, 2014
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Samantha Franco has the perfect life. Until, that is, she and her best friend Cassie disappear and only Samantha resurfaces ... with no knowledge of what happened.

And Cassie stays missing. Gradually, Samantha begins to piece together her memories of that night. If she can do so, she may yet be able to save her friend. And, little by little, something begins to emerge ...

Then she gets the note: Don't Look Back. You Won't like What You Find.

Review

I'm a sucker for thrillers and am so glad I picked up Don't Look Back because it was absolutely thrilling!

Loved:

1. Strong Plot Twist 

Any thriller is a great thriller with a punch that really shocks the reader. Don't Look Back does exactly that, so that when the finale was revealed I was left surprised and satisfied. It made finishing the book worth it. I didn't expect at all and it was both exhilarating but also terrifying.

2. Suspenseful and Captivating

The writing was intense and fast-paced, which meant that I flew through it in one day. I was engrossed in finding out who the killer was and the build in suspense was done amazingly. Anything that keeps me on my seat really sparks my interest and keeps me attached to the story.

Not So Much:

1. Lack of Character Depth/Progression 

If you're looking for a book with great character progression though, Don't Look Back doesn't encompass that. The characters are very black vs. white, with each character either being good or bad. There isn't really an exploration for the grey area that is most realistic. Samantha did progress a little but overall, the book did lack any 2-dimensional characters.

2. Missing Plot Points

Whilst I was engrossed with the storyline of the book, the plot did a lot more feeling than showing in regards to Samantha's past life and what she was capable of. I know it's not suppose to be a huge factor to the plot but it was something I wanted to see instead of just hearing about it. A lot of the plot gaps were things characters told Samantha. If anything showing rather than telling would've been better.

I do think that the positives do outweigh the negatives as an overall reading experience. When I was reading the book, the things I found I didn't like so much weren't frustrating me or weighing on my mind up until I finished it. And even then it wasn't something that made me feel immensely dissatisfied with the read. Would definitely recommend if you love YA thriller!

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Creepy and Captivating With Night Film

Title: Nightfilm 
Author: Marisha Pessl
Publication Date: July 16th, 2013
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On a damp October night the body of young, beautiful Ashley Cordova is found in an abandoned warehouse in lower Manhattan. Her suicide appears to be the latest tragedy to hit a severely cursed dynasty.

For McGrath, another death connected to the legendary director seems more than a coincidence. Driven by revenge, curiosity and a need for the truth, he finds himself pulled into a hypnotic, disorientating world, where almost everyone seems afraid.

The last time McGrath got close to exposing Cordova, he lost his marriage and his career. This time he could lose his grip on reality.

Review

My love for psychological thrillers/thrillers was completely satisfied after reading Nightfilm and I definitely think it's a must read!

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Black Cairn Point - Claire McFall

Title: Black Cairn Point
Author: Claire McFall
Publication Date: 6th August, 2015
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Two survivors, one terrible truth.

Heather agrees to a group camping holiday with Dougie and his friends because she's desperate to get closer to him. But when the two of them disturb a pagan burial site above the beach, she becomes certain that they have woken a malevolent spirit. Something is alive out there in the pitch-black dark, and it is planning to wreak deadly revenge.

One year later Heather knows that she was very lucky to escape Black Cairn Point but she is still waiting for Dougie to wake from his coma. If he doesn't, how will she prove her insanity, and her innocence?

Review

Black Cairn Point is a baffling read that has taken me awhile to wrap my head around. I'm impressed that Claire McFall manages to combine aspects of supernatural and thriller into one, which is not something that is commonly seen in Young Adult. However, I'm not completely sold on the entire package.

The story switches between present and past to reveal the mystery, and it's the type of set up that I really like when reading thrillers. There's a sense of anticipation, which really enhances my reading experience. Yet, I found myself more invested in the present than Heather's retelling of the event. Her emotions came across more strongly in those parts, and I could really feel her despair and isolation, especially from being labelled delusional by her friends and family.

In the flashbacks, whilst Heather's voice is still prominent, I wasn't fully engaged. The mystery started off strongly and I was really interested to see where it would go. I suppose being a reader who doesn't invest time in paranormal reads, the supernatural elements in this did seem a little far fetched to me. It was possible to sense the fear and danger the characters faced but I did rush a little at the end to reach the end and discover the actual truth. Emma, Heather's friend, made the fear most believable. Her reaction to the unnatural events were spooky and grabbed my attention again.

What I liked about this, and kept me reading, was that the entire time I had to constantly question whether I believed Heather's story or if she really did murder her friends. So when the ending rolled around I was completely blown away by the revelation. It left me baffled and I did have to back and re-read some parts to grasp the entirety of the novel. Even now I'm still slightly shocked about the ending, and I definitely think it made up for the other parts that didn't hold my interest. Now that I think about it, this was the gem of the novel.

McFall has devised a plot that, even though didn't run smoothly, has left me questioning the characters even weeks after reading it. The creepiness lingers because I'm still stumped at which side of Heather to believe in. I love that she is such an unreliable narrator and it opens up to so many possibilities. I would've liked to maybe understand more about Heather and Dougie, and a better explanation behind the ending, but I guess that just adds to the mystery of things. I would say read it, just to for the ending itself.

Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of Black Cairn Point upon request from The Five Mile Press for review. This does not influence my view on this book. 

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Dangerous Boys - Abigail Haas

Title: Dangerous Boys
Author: Abigail Haas
Publication Date: August 14th, 2014
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Chloe cannot escape the chains of her hometown and responsibilities she thought she was done with after graduation. Defeated, she resigns herself to a life with no future. Then she meets Ethan, a boy who's just moved in and it seems like her life has picked up. That is until Ethan's brother, Oliver, makes his appearance.

Later, Chloe reflects on how her life spirals out of control as the three enter an abandoned estate and only Chloe leaves, dragging along one of the brothers while the other burns to death.

Review

No matter how much I've talked myself into liking this, I don't think it has lived up to the excitement of Dangerous Girls - which was down right amazing.

Dangerous Boys had all the right elements for a great thriller, but somehow it turned out bland and predictable. I kept wanting to reach the end just to clear the mystery for the sake of finishing the book, not because I was interested in it anymore. It really dragged on for me close to the middle, but the ending did pick up its pace so I wasn't left completely bored.

I don't particularly like Chloe despite how real she is. Props to Haas for creating a character that is quite relatable, even if I don't condone her actions. She seemed so real because of all her flaws. On the surface Chloe represented the well brought up daughter and straight A student. We sympathise with her for being tied down and having to prioritise responsibilities before herself. Yet, once the story grew I really started to question her character. Was it because of the brothers that influenced her to change or had she already had this in herself, just waiting for the right moment to break free?Questioning my judgement on characters was actually something I really enjoyed while reading this, because at least I was getting somewhat engaged in the story.

I don't entirely believe that the brothers - Ethan and Oliver - were realistic characters. It really felt like they were being portrayed as the angel and devil inside Chloe; one being extremely good and the other a total bad boy. I could understand how Chloe may have felt suffocated under Ethan and drawn towards Oliver and his dangerous ways, but it was too predictable right from the start. In the end I just felt really detached reading about them.

I wasn't completely disappointed with how the mystery unravelled; Haas did give me a surprise at the end, which made up for most things. Yet, it still felt like something was missing - like there wasn't enough fed to me and I was left wondering what was going to happen after. I haven't really come up to a solid conclusion about Chloe only because she still puzzles me, but at least I understand the motives behind the event and the darker side of human nature. There were big questions about morality and self-desires, and how selfish a person can be.

I do think Dangerous Boys was a good read, and I did finish it quickly. Just don't go into  it expecting a lot - like I did - and you might enjoy it better than me.

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Trust In Me - Sophie McKenzie

Title: Trust In Me

Author: Sophie McKenzie

Publication Date: September 11th, 2014

Disclaimer: I was sent this as a recommendation from  Simon&Schuster

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Livy and Julia have been best friends ever since the tragic death of Livy's younger sister, Kara. They treat each other like sisters so when Julia is found dead in her house, Livy is devastated and confused. Not willing to believe the report that Julia's death was a suicide, Livy begins to investigate on her own. 

Yet, what she finds out tears open a new hole that just might not be abled to fill. 

Review

I've had no luck with thrillers this month, and that includes Trust In Me. Again this might just be because it didn't suit my taste but I was detached from the start right to the end. 

I found this to be unmemorable because of the plot, characters and writing. McKenzie is a great writer, don't get me wrong, but she just couldn't maintain my interest. The plot was a standard murder mystery that needed to be solved. However, instead of officials/authoritative figures cracking the case, we have your average suburban mum with a intuition she's determined to follow. It didn't really flow properly and the suspense just wasn't there. Of course I wanted to know who the murderer was but it was more because I wanted to be done with the book. There are snippets of the criminals diary entries which were interesting at first, and quite creepy, but then I just got lost in his drawl and couldn't keep reading it. Maybe that's why I didn't really understand how the person who was revealed as the murderer came to be the killer in the first place. There was no motivation revealed, just that he was there and biding his time. 

I couldn't connect with Livy at all, and I thought it was pretty unrealistic for her to pull off a CSI project with just basic sleuthing and attempts at interrogation. She was a really annoying character for me, raising suspicion without any logic and being naive when she just needed to think. The relationship developments were also a headache, and I really questioned her priorities in trust. I understand Livy had reasons to be apprehensive but she constantly got upset when no one believed so it frustrated me when she couldn't trust the person she was suppose to trust the most.  However, I have heard that some people do relate to Livy so maybe it's just me and my age/experience. 

The other important character is Julia, but because she's dead before I even met her, I had to learn about her through other people. I would've thought that at the end I could've figured her out and  understand her motives etc. but I got three different perspectives of her it was difficult to really comprehend. The plot already portrayed her as a mysterious character no one really knew, so I wasn't sure who to trust when they relayed what they knew about her. Still, it did reflect the novel in that everyone puts up a front and it's hard to decipher what their true form is. Exactly how the criminal was as well. 

It was a decent read, but not spectacular. Instead, I actually forgot I read it and had to remind myself to start it just to review before realising I had read it. I'm interested to see what other crime/thriller lovers think about this though, and if I'm the only one who just couldn't connect. Let me know! 

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You - Caroline Kepnes

Title: You
Author: Caroline Kepnes
Publication Date: September, 30th 2014
Disclaimer: I was sent this as a recommendation by Simon&Schuster.
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Joe is instantly drawn to Guinevere Beck after she steps into his bookstore. He can't stop thinking about her and wanting to see her, and it seems Beck is falling her his charms. Yet, she doesn't realise the extent to which Joe will go to have her and Beck isn't exactly what he thinks she's like. 

Their relationship becomes a dangerous game, and the consequences are deadly.

Review

I wasn't exactly sure what I was in for when I started You, but what I got I can't say I loved. In fact, even thinking about it now makes me feel disturbed and uncomfortable. 

You is a thriller at its best, but whether its the right thriller for me is the question. Of course being a story about a stalker means that it'll have elements of creepiness and socially unacceptable behaviours. However, whilst the story progressed I really had to think about whether this was a thriller with highly explicit content or eroticism hiding underneath the genre thriller. That's the part I did not like, and which put me off the entire novel. Maybe I'm just a prude, but I felt like the sexual aspect was so crude and drastic. 

Still, Kepnes' writing really conveyed Joe's obsessive nature in a really interesting way. Readers are placed in his situation, and that's why it seems so much more logical, even though we know what he's doing is wrong. It can be easy to sympathise with him for feeling anxious, happy and anger only because we know how it feels to like someone. However, at the end I still didn't excuse his actions only because his infatuation led to dangerous and disturbing things. I would've liked to know why he grew up to be like he was, because he didn't seem to be lacking in any area. He could attract a girl just by looking at her, was funny, smart and well-read, so it's not like he would find it difficult to get a girlfriend. I hated every other character, including Beck, only because they were all so flawed yet, acted like they owned the world. This is such a realistic interpretation of people though, and Joe's observations of Beck's personality really came across as issues that nearly everyone actually has to deal with - although not to that extreme extent. 

At some point I started to feel like the novel was just dragging out. I mean I got it - Joe's a stalker, and Beck's not perfect, and maybe they just deserve each other. I couldn't reach the ending fast enough, and whilst there were some surprising moments, I just really wanted the entire thing to end. I wouldn't say I never expected the ending, only because it is a thriller so hello. I felt like the ending was realistic enough so I'll take it as it is, but yeah. 

I've seen some really positive reviews for You, so maybe whilst I'm a fan of crime, thriller just isn't for me. Or maybe You is on a whole other level of thriller. Either way I just couldn't tell myself I really liked this. I do think it's definitely for mature readers, especially with the explicit content and language. Check it out and see what you think! 

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In The Shadow of Blackbirds - Cat Winters

Plot:

Mary Shelley Black has always led a rational and logical life. At 16, she is sent to live with her aunty, after the Influenza spreads throughout America. She doesn't buy into all the craze of spiritual photos and seances after the constant deaths, but one day Mary wakes up to a boy lying next to her. A boy she knows is dead.

Review:

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The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer Trilogy #2) - Michele Hodkin

Read: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer Trilogy #1) Review

Plot:


Mara's learnt that she might not actually be insane. Except now everyone around her thinks she actually is. The only person who believes her is Noah, and while he promises to help and protect her, she can't seem to escape the frightening scenes that unfold before her.

Trying to juggle being normal amongst her family isn't easy when constant visions and creepy coincidences threaten to endanger Mara's life.

Review:

If you guys have read my review for the first book or watched any of my videos, you would know that I loved The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. It was my favourite read last year, a solid 5/5. I can now report that The Evolution of Mara Dyer is a massive hit as well. I'm going to try and keep this as spoiler free as I can, just in case you guys haven't read the first book but want to know if the series is worth reading.

What I loved in The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer transferred right into this sequel. Michele Hodkin used her writing to create a tense and creepy atmosphere, that did not let off until the very end. It's hard not to be emotionally attached to this book because of how much time and thought I invest while reading. I feel like I'm an actual character in the book that Mara is trying to mess with, because of how uncertain situations are. I learn to trust her before that trust cracks because something happens that make me think she actually is insane. I love that I can connect on such an intimate level with the plot - there seriously is no way of reading this book in a detached manner. You become so involved in deducing the mystery and what is going on with Mara.

Hodkin makes reading so much easier as well. The pacing is fast but not rushed. It's set at a perfect pace to keep readers on edge. The intensity builds slowly at first but changes momentum at the right moments, and all I can do is mentally scream "WHAT". I'm being serious about that. I literally flew right through the book and my heart was pounding so hard by the end because of how intense the entire final scene was. Her visual descriptions are yet again gory, but it enhances the creepiness of the story.

The plot was as solid as it could be. I wasn't confused with what was happening, and it wasn't predictable either. Hodkin does well in that she develops layers and layers of depth that adds to the mystery, but can somehow unpick it without losing the complete structure.Mara and Noah's relationship continues to develop although this time it's a lot more realistic. They work to understand each other both their characters begin to show more depth. I enjoyed the romance (and Noah) a lot because it didn't overshadow the main point of the story. A lot more characters are introduced this time, but they actually serve some type of purpose, however small or large. I found though, that I didn't like or care for majority of them.

The ending definitely made the book. The mystery began to unravel and I got some but not all the answers. The intensity mounts in these final scenes and I finished it before even realising I had reached the end. I am definitely, absolutely and positively will be reading the third and final book because of the insane cliff hanger. I didn't even think it could be possible to torture me like this, but she has and it's killing me. I feel like maybe I should've read this closer to The Retribution of Mara Dyer's release date because the anticipation is not okay. This is what this series will do to you. Mara is struggling to understand how her brain is functioning, and I'm going insane because of the wait.

If I had to recommend any series at all, this would be the one. I love how it messes with my brain and keeps me on edge, because in the end it is all worth it.

Rating: 5/5

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The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin

Plot: 

Mara Dyer wakes up after a coma unaware of what has happened. She's informed that in a freak accident that resulted in the deaths of her friends, she was the only one to survive. Her family decides to move to help her recover from the trauma. Instead, Mara begins to experience moments of hallucinations. It also doesn't help that she meets a boy who apparently knows her quite well.

Mara must now determine if she really is losing her mind, or are all these delusions pointing her in the right direction.

Review:

I actually picked this up because I've heard some pretty good reviews about it, care of the Book Tube community. Also because it's a psychological thriller, which I beg to differ a little but we'll get to that later.

Right from the beginning, Hodkin has created a tone that will drive the entire novel. There's an underlying creepiness that basically stays at the back of your mind. I think what worked well was that I wasn't bombarded with constant "scary" scenes. Instead, there was a build up of suspense and lots and lots of questioning. I found myself experiencing Mara's emotions like I was right beside her. We were both confused and doubtful of her sanity. It felt so real.

I think the visual descriptions were pretty gruesome. It wasn't something to make me violently sick but at the same I did feel a little uneasy. It's what made the novel feel different to the usual thrillers. Still, I wouldn't classify the Mara Dyer series as entirely psychological thriller. True it was scary and haunting, but the novel took a turn and it became a romance in the second half. I didn't mind though, because I grew to love her romantic counterpart - Noah. He was probably really stereotypical. The mysterious, rebellious boy with a beautiful smile and just enough arrogance that it becomes attractive. I still fell for him though. I know it sounds weird, I mean he isn't real. But that's how an author succeeds in writing a character.

It's not like the romance in the novel deters from the central issue though, which was good. I wasn't going to keep reading if it was just the sappy stuff all the way through. It was still mostly about the inner conflict that Mara was experiencing.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer definitely gave me a lot of shocking moments.  It's quite possibly the one of the best novels I've read this year, having enough suspense and great plot development to keep me hooked for the entire time. The momentum rose and fell, keeping me on edge when needed. I read it in a day or so and couldn't believe how quickly I was drawn into it. Hodkin writes well, not above any other author, but certainly enough to catch my attention. Her plot is fast and intense, which I would like to thank her for. The ending finished on a massive plot twist and made me really want to go and buy the second book straight away. I mentally kicked myself as to why I didn't just purchase the entire series when I bought the first book. Still, now I have something to look forward to for next year.

I definitely recommend this - an exceptional read.

Rating: 5/5

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Rosebush - Michele Jaffe

Plot:
Sometimes the truth is a very thorny thing.

Jane is found unconscious in a rosebush after being hit by car. She can't remember anything about the incident and the police think it's just the usual hit and run. That is, until Jane's memory comes back about the night before.

It turns out there's a lot more than what everyone wants to believe.

Review:

I found Rosebush to be one of the most enjoyable novels I've read in awhile. It met with most of my expectations and I wouldn't mind reading it again.

The romance in the novel was much like any typical teen love story. The popular girl dating the popular boy, and they're perfect together. Well minus some hiccups. In comes a gorgeous male nurse and a hot friend who has the same interest as the protagonist. Add all these factors together and you get - chaos. It's not really believable but I didn't mind it too much considering there was a lot of character revelations from the interactions that occurred between the characters.

I think none of the major characters really stuck with me. Even Jane wasn't enough to have me connect with her. Only Bonnie made a mark not because of who she was but because of the message she brought across. Most of the characters were just easy to despise. That's about it.

However, that doesn't distract from the plot. I started out thinking it was a simple teenage novel with a mysterious twist to it. Instead, I got layers that held up a colossal structure. There's so much more to the supposed hit and run, so many things that add to one chilling truth. Many of the characters have great depths to them that it makes for an engaging read. It's also got quite a lot of messages for young readers, ranging from family and friend issues to trust and jealously. Basically the issues that a lot of adolescents have to face on an everyday basis.

Also, the thriller aspect was every bit what it should be. There was suspense, mystery and twists. I never suspected a thing, just assumptions that changed from time to time. When the culprit was revealed I was like wow, okay. I see. It was surprising and sort of scary at the same time.

I'm glad I followed my instincts and read this. Already, I have been drawn back into the story after skimming the ending again. It's not very memorable but that's good for me because that means I can read it again whilst developing new thoughts. Definitely give it a read.

Rating: 4/5

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The Killer In My Eyes - Giorgio Faletti

Plot:

Mayor Marsalis' son has been found dead in his apartment. The killer's left him naked and in a position identical to Linus, a character from the comic-strip Peanuts. Ex-cop Jordan is called in to investigate the death and soon there are a string of other deaths replicated in the same way. Along with Italian investigator Maureen Martini, Jordan must find the murderer before other characters are killed.

Review:
There are two concepts that I am absolutely astounded by in the novel, enough to think Faletti is an actual genius:
One, the idea of  moulding a well-known cartoon strip into something so sinister. I would like to award Faletti with an award for creativity because I would never have thought that Snoopy and his friends could play a part in a murder mystery And two, the reason for the title, which I really can't explain cause then it just ruins the novel. To put it simply, sometimes you just have to see it to believe it.
Like his other novels, Faletti's able to introduce a number of characters that somehow interlink with each other (sometimes by a bit too much coincidence) without making the plot confusing. The characters are there for a reason, whether to help solve the mystery or help the development of a character. They're not fleeting and suddenly forgotten, they're introduced and stay till the end. Faletti is able to develop his characters quite well despite the limited timespan the novel is set in. There are certain attachments that can be made with the characters and surprisingly, I felt it with the minor characters more than the protagonist. I love the fact that everyone is flawed in this novel. Everyone including our hero. Even the victims who  you are suppose to feel sympathy for actually leave much more of a bitter feeling.
While reading a Faletti novel there is a lot of deducing that will happen and sometimes I'm so certain it'll be this person, but with The Killer In My Eyes no matter how much I thought about it nothing seemed plausible. So when the major revealing happened I was surprised but also a bit confused. You know the whole, where did this come from, which (thankfully) the plot explains later on. It was unexpected in the fact that you just never pinpoint that character in the first place. I guess that is a successful aspect in writing a crime novel, the unexpected moments are always the best.
This is the third novel I've read from Faletti and I have to say I held high expectations. I've always admired his talent in springing the surprise at the last minute, making the mysteries so much more thrilling. The same happens in The Killer In My Eyes but for some reason it just didn't create the same reaction I had with his previous works (see reviews for his other novels here). That's not to say it was bad, it just wasn't his best. I still thoroughly enjoyed it though, majority of it was great. For a tiny portion it was a bit slow paced but I guess it needed to start building the intense again instead of just being on a high the entire time.
Most of the time if an author sticks with a particular genre their novels just seem like a carbon copy of each other, just with different character names and setting. With Faletti everything is different and that's what I love about his style of writing. It's always something new that has you completely engaged. Grab a copy and settle down because you'll be sucked into the story before you know it.
Rating: 4/5

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Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

Plot:

Setting: North Carthage, Missouri

On the day of Nick's fifth wedding anniversary, his wife, Amy, disappears from their home. Initially, his innocence is certain and the support he receives is immense. Then Amy's unknown best-friend points at Nick and the police begin to find suspicious evidence that link to him. Suddenly Nick is the number one suspect

Review:

Gone Girl does everything a thriller should do. It's intense, shocking, grotesque and quite disturbing. That's about the only positive about this novel. Flynn produced a novel that had me sitting on the edge, that's for sure. I waited and waited and waited and waited just for the answer. In between that time there are a million twists that add depth to the plot. A simple mystery spirals into a haunting thriller that is quite the nail biter (excuse the cliche). The turning point in the novel needs only one word to describe it: wow.

However, all that ended at the finale of the novel. I am a reader that expects an amazing plot to end with a massive bang! Gone Girl did not deliver that. It was like enjoying a cool, fizzy coke and then taking the next sip only to find it flat and thick. How unsatisfying. All that time reading it and I was pushing for the ending, the moment where I close the book and say yes, it was a fantastic read. All I could say was oh, is that it? The ending is the do or die moment for me. It absolutely killed the book. Definitely the most disappointing aspect.

Flynn writes very well but was somehow quite dull. The first half was a drag and I had to really persevere  (I found myself becoming drowsy every so often), just for the sake of the answer. Perhaps this was because of the background information that Flynn included in order to set up the anticipation. The second half was immensely better, it was so easy to dive in and be completely engaged with what was happening.

The characters are unlikable. Whether that is Flynn's intention or not, I do not know. Both Nick and Amy have no redeeming qualities that make you want to like them or feel sympathetic towards their situation, which is weird seeing as they are both placed in situations everyone would tend to feel sorry for (especially Amy). The minor characters are just in the background and I hardly take notice of them. I don't even remember most of their names. There are characters that add an interesting twist in the plot and provide quite a bit of entertainment but there's really no hook that readers can connect to.

I guess when I picked up this novel I had a lot of expectations about it, seeing as how it has garnered many positive reviews. Maybe that's why I felt like it was such a let down. Overall, it was okay. It wasn't exceptional, although it could have been with how great the plot was. If you're a thriller fan than try it out, it might suit your taste. I just felt like it needed to be a little more compact, to the point, and have something drive the readers home quickly.

Rating: 3/5

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I Kill & I Am God - Giorgio Faletti

I Kill Review:

http://thesignalexpress.com.au/archives/715

I Am God Review:

http://thesignalexpress.com.au/archives/868

*Note: Just to correct myself, I Kill is not Faletti's debut novel. It is an exceptional read, really quite the thrill.

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