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ninetalevixen
If this book was twice as long, I think I would've loved it just as much (if not more) — though at the same time, I do really like that it was so streamlined.
I received an advance review copy from Wednesday Books through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
3.5 stars
RTC.
content warnings:
rep:
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CONVERSION: 9.35 / 15 = 3.5 stars
Prose: 6 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 5 / 10
Emotional Impact: 7 / 10
Development / Flow: 6 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: N/A
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5
Rereadability: 3 / 5
Memorability: 2 / 5
3.5 stars
RTC.
content warnings:
Spoiler
rep:
Spoiler
-----------
CONVERSION: 9.35 / 15 = 3.5 stars
Prose: 6 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 5 / 10
Emotional Impact: 7 / 10
Development / Flow: 6 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: N/A
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5
Rereadability: 3 / 5
Memorability: 2 / 5
I received an advance review copy from St. Martin's Press through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
Storytime: I actually picked this book for my discussion-group reading because my teacher promoted it as "probably the most challenging" of our options, and I'm nothing if not ambitious (at least when it comes to what I'm reading). Keeping in mind that this was the opinion of four or five eighth-grade avid readers, all of us regretted our choice. We weren't really sure what was going on plotwise, and we had trouble relating to any of the characters.
Could be fun to try this again, a few years down the line, and see if it's something that actually appeals to me now.
Could be fun to try this again, a few years down the line, and see if it's something that actually appeals to me now.
3.5 stars.
The affair dragged on too long, with a disorientingly abrupt beginning and end - in other words, the pacing felt awkward. That said, I loved the characters, particularly the kids and Matthew. I also related to Claire and her passion for creating things.
The affair dragged on too long, with a disorientingly abrupt beginning and end - in other words, the pacing felt awkward. That said, I loved the characters, particularly the kids and Matthew. I also related to Claire and her passion for creating things.
RTC
1.5 stars
The intro/outro music gave me chills, but otherwise this really just wasn't for me. Part of it is probably the audiobook format, which is easy to get through and which I literally use to fall asleep (no reflection on the narrator or author, just my relationship to the medium). Part of it is the plot pacing: an almost-disjointed series of twists/reveals, some of which felt shoehorned in rather than a logical progression. Several of the narrative elements have now become popular tropes. The characters were all pretty unlikeable.
In other words, I'm not saying Christie isn't a great writer deserving of her popularity. I'm just saying that I personally didn't like this book.
The intro/outro music gave me chills, but otherwise this really just wasn't for me. Part of it is probably the audiobook format, which is easy to get through and which I literally use to fall asleep (no reflection on the narrator or author, just my relationship to the medium). Part of it is the plot pacing: an almost-disjointed series of twists/reveals, some of which felt shoehorned in rather than a logical progression. Several of the narrative elements have now become popular tropes. The characters were all pretty unlikeable.
In other words, I'm not saying Christie isn't a great writer deserving of her popularity. I'm just saying that I personally didn't like this book.