Book Review: Lesley Kara - The Dare (published in 2021)

 

The Dare by Lesley Kara is quite a ride. 

I would call this a quiet thriller, but it's one that kept me glued to the page nevertheless. Unfortunately, the ending fell a bit flat for me, but that doesn't take away from the joy of reading it in the first place. 

I like coming across books whose authors are new to me. I haven't seen my Bookstagram friends mention this book, so I feel like I uncovered a bit of a gem. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another one of Kara's books. 

The Dare is about Lizzie. Her friend died while they were out walking near the railroad. She remembers an argument but an epilepsy attack came on right before her friend's gruesome death. For years, people distrust her. 

When she's an adult she moves to London with her boyfriend Ross. She's happy she's able to leave her old life behind. That is... until someone from her previous life makes an appearance. 

Many thanks to the publisher Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

4 stars

Book Review: Jess Walter - The Cold Millions (published in 2020)

 

It's definitely me and not you, THE COLD MILLIONS. 

I didn't know what it was about this novel that didn't pull me in, until I read the acknowledgements in the back. Jess Walter thanks Anthony Doerr (author of ALL THE LIGHTS WHEN CANNOT SEE for his tips and feedback on the book. That's when it clicked, the issues I had with his book were the same I had with Walter's. 

Everything about the story is actually potentially really good. The characters, the political plot, the setting in 1900's USA, even the harsh story and no non-sense killings and deaths are all potentially fantastic. I keep saying potentially, because it just didn't work for me. 

I think this book will receive rave reviews. People will fall in love with the Dolan brothers, especially little Rye has a lot going for him. People will enjoy the political plot where a young woman is trying to rally the workers together to ask for better conditions on the work floor and more equality in life. People might actually read a bit of Tolstoy's WAR AND PEACE in the pages of this book. 

The baddies in the form of police and "nobility" have their own struggles. No one can be blamed for how things unfold or everyone can be blamed. It's up to you. 

I'm giving this book 2.5 stars, because I recognise good writing when I see it. I wish I had put the novel down halfway because it didn't work for me, but that's just me. 

My tip: if you enjoyed books like the aforementioned ALL THE LIGHTS WE CANNOT SEE and DAYS WITHOUT END (which I actually did enjoy) you might really enjoy this novel. 

Many thanks to the publisher Penguin General UK and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy.

2.5 stars

Book Review: Sarah Pearse - The Sanatorium (published in 2021)

 

If you're looking for a nice atmospheric thriller, you're looking at the right book. Spring is just around the corner, but many of us might still crave the desolateness of winter. I certainly do, when it comes to books (in terms of real life, I'm ready to welcome summer with open arms). 

The Sanatorium takes place in a hotel in Switzerland. Elin's brother Isaac is hosting his engagement party here. Even though they haven't spoken for a long time, she decides to attend because her and her brother have unfinished business. She's still struggling with the questions she had regarding their younger brother's death years ago. 

It all goes downhill from there. A big storm forces the funiculars to close, and the hotel is closed off from the outside. When people start disappearing, Elin can't ignore her duty as a former police officer in the UK and she decides to investigate. 

This novel is incredibly grim. It gave me real slasher vibes, rather than thriller vibes which I actually enjoyed. I really couldn't have guessed the conclusion, even though I tried (and failed) many times. The plot twists were rather good. Unfortunately, we follow the story through the eyes of Elin who isn't the most stable of narrators. 

It's actually the part I didn't really enjoy about the novel. Elin has a lot of demons to fight while also chasing the killer on the loose. The setting and main plot is suspenseful enough, I didn't really need Elin's interior doubts and insecurities. This is a personal preference though. 

I really enjoyed this read and I was completely enthralled by it. The ending left me with a few question marks though, I'm not sure I'm all to happy about that, but at least I'm still thinking about the book after putting it down. 

3.5 stars

Book Review: Neal Shusterman - Game Changer (published in 2021)

 

I'm going to try to put into words what I felt when I read this novel. This book hasn't been widely read yet, so don't take my word as gospel and check out other review before you make a decision to read or not read this book. 

One thing everyone will agree on is that Neal Shusterman is trying his best to tackle many different subjects in this novel. The feeling that gave me is that this novel and the plot was created around this concept. I found it very hard to stay engaged because of this. In a way I felt like the character was going through everything just to learn about racism, sexism, the LBGTQ community and other contemporary topics.

For what it's worth, the novel is about Ash who gets hit in the head during a football game. He is flung into another reality in which his friends are still his friends, but there have been some weird changes in the world. Ash is a linebacker so he gets hit on the head a lot, and every time he is flung into the multiverse, as he's fighting for his survival he learns more and more about the world he inhabits. 

The idea behind the novel is really good, the characters are interesting, but I don't always agree with the thoughts and especially the conclusion of the novel made me shudder a bit. There are moments that the main character in the novel "Ash" is 'mansplaining' how women feel and look and interact with the world which (as a woman myself) I felt missed the mark. I do really appreciate the effort Neal has put into researching and writing this book. His intentions were clearly good!

Many thanks to the publisher Walker Books and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy!

2 stars

Book Review: Helen Fields - The Shadow Man (published in 2021)

 

How is it that I have read two books that take place in Edinburgh this year out of the three books I've read? I think 2021 is telling me it's time to return to my favourite city in the world. If you love the city, you will find yourself sneaking through the little closes and wynds along with the main characters of this thrilling novel. 

 

Edinburgh features in this book as a full-fledged character and I love that. 

 

The plot outline sounded dark and mysterious to me, and I'm happy to report that that's the vibe that the novel serves. The story itself is a bit different from the outline, but not in a bad way. 

 

The story is about a man who lives in the shadows and kidnaps people from the streets of Edinburgh. We follow a police officer and a forensic psychologist as they try to uncover the mysteries surrounding this case. 

 

We also follow the victims & the perpetrator, which in my opinion takes away from the suspense a little bit because we as the reader as basically omniscient. Fields does manage to slip some surprises in. 

 

I didn't like the psychologist, however she was true to herself. It did bring forth a couple of great dialogues that I wouldn't have wanted to miss. 

 

I think some of the scenes of this novel will stick with me for a long time to come. Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. The fact that you're propelled into the narrative of the victims at time is not an easy read. 

 

I recommend this read if you're into dark thrillers, it's not much of a mystery but it's still a pretty wild ride. 

 

Many thanks to Avon and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy!

3.5 stars

Statistics:

Date read: January 14, 2020

Date published: February 4, 2020

Publisher: Avon

Format: eBook

Pages: 400

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Horror

My Number of Books Read by this Author: 1

Goodreads

Book Review: Craig Russell - Hyde (published in 2021)

 

Yes yes yes to this fantastic book! I had no idea what I was in for when I started the read, but it plunged me headfirst into my favourite city in the world. I was sold on the concept that Hyde is the main character of this book (there's no Jekyll mind you), but when my city was described in detail including all the little alleyways I could not stop dreaming about it. 

I could picture exactly where all the action takes place. Edinburgh is a perfect setting for a Victorian Horror novel. If you haven't visited, check out photos at least to take in the vibe a little bit. 

Right, the story is about Hyde, a police officer. He has to investigate the murder of a man which seems to point to some ritualistic offering. As the body count grows, so does Hyde's sense of reality. Even though Jekyll is not present in this book, Hyde does blank out and someone else takes over. What is this someone else capable of though? 

I thought the concept was incredibly clever. I mentioned before I really enjoyed the setting, and I like the general atmosphere of the novel. I didn't know Craig Russell, but I'll check out The Devil Aspect, which has received a lot of praise previously. 

If you like atmospheric horror novels, that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Check this novel out!

Many thanks to the publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for the review copy!

4 stars

Statistics:

Date read: January 5, 2020

Date published: February 4, 2020

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group UK

Format: eBook

Pages: 400

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Horror

My Number of Books Read by this Author: 1

Goodreads

 

Book Review: Courtney Summers - The Project (published in 2021)

 

I don't know why but when I read a book by Courtney Summers it takes me a while to really understand what I'm reading. I'm going to be re-reading [book:Sadie|34810320] to see what it is about her writing that is confusing me a bit. 

 

That having been said, once I got into it. I was fully into it, hard-hitting feels and all. 

 

This book is about two sisters. After Lo's parents die her sister Bea joins the Unity Project. Lo spends years trying to prove her gut-feeling that there's something wrong with The Project and its leader Lev, especially when her sister breaks off all contact with her. 

 

The cult-like religion is well-loved in the region though and she can't find anything concrete, until a man walks into the office of the magazine she works for to let them know that his son has been killed by The Project. This fuels Lo's passion to dive into the subject matter to find out what has happened to her sister for once and for all. 

 

Prepare to be shocked and amazed several times. I thought I could kind of foresee what would happen at the end, but I was wrong. Boy, was I wrong. 

 

Lo is a great conflicted character to be following. She has lived through intense trauma after surviving the car accident that killed her parents; that in combination with being abandoned by her sister brings on an interesting vengeful spirit. It's difficult to read between the lines of her emotions and the truth.

 

The only thing I didn't fully enjoy was the cult/religion element. This is what most people will love when they pick this book up, but I've seen too many documentaries and TV series about this subject recently. I'm happy to report that even if you're a bit "cult-sick" it's still worth the read.  

 

I think a lot of people will like this book and rightfully so. 

 

Many thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy!

4 stars

Statistics:

Date read: December 22, 2020

Date published: February 2, 2020

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Format: eBook

Pages: 345

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Horror

My Number of Books Read by this Author: 2

Goodreads

 

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