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Maybe my expectations for this author are too high following Evelyn and Daisy, but this fell flat for me. I am normally all for a character focused narrative, but I was expecting some form of twist or plot development that just never came. All in all not a bad read, just a bit boring, a bit forgettable.
I want to preface this by saying that I did not read this as a child, I have not seen the movie, and I red this via audio (narrated by author). From other reviews I have seen, each and every one of these points should have dampens my experience of this book - yet I loved it! It is creepy and quirky and well paced with Coraline as a fantastic protagonist. She is honest, brave, clever and relatable, without crossing that line into precocious or faultless. I love that she is not afraid to admit she is scared or doesn't understand/know what to do - She is the best kind of child narrator; realistic but admirable, without sacrificing plot.
I do want to read a physical copy of this, maybe the graphic novel as I feel like that is an even better means for consuming this narrative.
I do want to read a physical copy of this, maybe the graphic novel as I feel like that is an even better means for consuming this narrative.
Ohhh I didn't love this as much as I wanted too. While it had some fantastic elements that I loved (loved the rep of a smart, capable protagonist who happened to have broken english), it just didn't have the magic of Hoangs debut.
Before I go into this, I want to make it clear that I can not speak to the ASD rep, and please look to own voices reviewers for comments on that, how ever I was not big on the ASD 'reveal'. Obviously those who have read the Kiss Quotient were aware going in, however, the fact that it took almost 50% of the book for the word autistic to apear on page, isn't sitting ok. It was almost treated as a twist or big reveal, with a big build up of 'unexplained behaviours'.
I will say however, Hoang knows how to write some steaminess, lawd!! And once I was over my discomfort regarding the ASD announcement, I could not put this down!
Before I go into this, I want to make it clear that I can not speak to the ASD rep, and please look to own voices reviewers for comments on that, how ever I was not big on the ASD 'reveal'. Obviously those who have read the Kiss Quotient were aware going in, however, the fact that it took almost 50% of the book for the word autistic to apear on page, isn't sitting ok. It was almost treated as a twist or big reveal, with a big build up of 'unexplained behaviours'.
I will say however, Hoang knows how to write some steaminess, lawd!! And once I was over my discomfort regarding the ASD announcement, I could not put this down!
"Cross your heart and hope he is bi?" - If ever there were words to live by.
What a beautiful, important story of hope.
I have no words, so I am stealing some: "Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place. So thank you." - Captain Raymond Holt, Brooklyn99.
What a beautiful, important story of hope.
I have no words, so I am stealing some: "Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place. So thank you." - Captain Raymond Holt, Brooklyn99.
4.5
Izzy is the voice that every single girl needs.
The exact opposite of okay sets fire to the ideas of friend zoning, male entitlement, revenge porn, slut shaming and woman's sexuality.
The amount of issues touched on, and done well, should be too much for a short narrative, but it isn't. It is real and raw and makes you want to smash the patriarchy. Our MC makes mistakes and she grows from them, she also is told she has made other mistakes and refuses to take on guilt and blame for societies double standards and judgement.
If ever there was a feminist war cry for female autonomy, it is Izzy O'Neil we would be following into battle.
Izzy is the voice that every single girl needs.
The exact opposite of okay sets fire to the ideas of friend zoning, male entitlement, revenge porn, slut shaming and woman's sexuality.
The amount of issues touched on, and done well, should be too much for a short narrative, but it isn't. It is real and raw and makes you want to smash the patriarchy. Our MC makes mistakes and she grows from them, she also is told she has made other mistakes and refuses to take on guilt and blame for societies double standards and judgement.
If ever there was a feminist war cry for female autonomy, it is Izzy O'Neil we would be following into battle.
3.5/4
TBH, this has been my least fav Karin Slaughter to date - but that could be because I am an idiot who has read it out of order with the rest of the Will Trent series. In my defense, it still reads well as a stand alone.
In saying all that, damn can Slaughter write. Well paced, action packed and gripping. Just a little too much cop procedural and not enough messed up thriller action for my taste, that is all. Will 10/10 still pick up anything and everything I can get my hands on by her!
TBH, this has been my least fav Karin Slaughter to date - but that could be because I am an idiot who has read it out of order with the rest of the Will Trent series. In my defense, it still reads well as a stand alone.
In saying all that, damn can Slaughter write. Well paced, action packed and gripping. Just a little too much cop procedural and not enough messed up thriller action for my taste, that is all. Will 10/10 still pick up anything and everything I can get my hands on by her!
You don't know what you have until it is gone... don't let that be your voice.
This was such an excellent premise, and it started so strong! The first third felt like a 5 star - a handmaid tale standard dystopian.
I think what let this down for me is in the last third, too much was trying to be crammed in to further the plot, without being explored properly. there were pivotal character moments that went without explanation or lead up, plot devices that were never resolved and giant moments reduced to a paragraph or less.
This was such an excellent premise, and it started so strong! The first third felt like a 5 star - a handmaid tale standard dystopian.
I think what let this down for me is in the last third, too much was trying to be crammed in to further the plot, without being explored properly. there were pivotal character moments that went without explanation or lead up, plot devices that were never resolved and giant moments reduced to a paragraph or less.
