Search
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Chalet in Books
Oct 10, 2020
For a debut novel, I think this worked pretty well and it was a nice, quick read.
The plot is set in two time frames - 1998 follows the story of the death of a young man whilst on a skiing holiday with his brother and their girlfriends. Fast forward to 2020 and we find ourselves in the same ski resort, with a group of people who are somehow connected to that death. It's told from multiple points of view so you do have to keep your wits about you but it does work well for the story. In amongst this, we have a mystery narrator - that of a child and her difficult childhood spent in and out of foster care which I found heart breaking - how does she fit into the story?
I am not going to give away any of the plot or provide any spoilers as to do so would ruin it for others but what I will say is that I did see the twist coming from a mile away which took a bit of the suspense and head-scratching away somewhat. Having said that, it is a very clever plot which did make me second-guess myself a couple of times but in the end, I was right.
The characters are thoroughly awful; I think if I was stuck with them, I'd do away with the lot of them! I'm not sure whether it was the author's intention to make them so unlikeable but I felt it actually worked really well in the context of the story and I admit to secretly hoping something bad would befall them all!
Overall, this is a creditable debut and I will be looking out for more from this author in the future and I should thank HarperCollins UK / HarperFiction via NetGalley who invited me to read The Chalet in return for an unbiased review.
The plot is set in two time frames - 1998 follows the story of the death of a young man whilst on a skiing holiday with his brother and their girlfriends. Fast forward to 2020 and we find ourselves in the same ski resort, with a group of people who are somehow connected to that death. It's told from multiple points of view so you do have to keep your wits about you but it does work well for the story. In amongst this, we have a mystery narrator - that of a child and her difficult childhood spent in and out of foster care which I found heart breaking - how does she fit into the story?
I am not going to give away any of the plot or provide any spoilers as to do so would ruin it for others but what I will say is that I did see the twist coming from a mile away which took a bit of the suspense and head-scratching away somewhat. Having said that, it is a very clever plot which did make me second-guess myself a couple of times but in the end, I was right.
The characters are thoroughly awful; I think if I was stuck with them, I'd do away with the lot of them! I'm not sure whether it was the author's intention to make them so unlikeable but I felt it actually worked really well in the context of the story and I admit to secretly hoping something bad would befall them all!
Overall, this is a creditable debut and I will be looking out for more from this author in the future and I should thank HarperCollins UK / HarperFiction via NetGalley who invited me to read The Chalet in return for an unbiased review.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Peach in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Dark, harrowing but poetic - requires a trigger warning
This is a debut novel by author Emma Glass and she has produced something extraordinary. Her writing is confident and bridges any gap between prose and poetry, with emotion portrayed often through alliteration and repetition of key phrases.
The story follows Peach, who has been brutally battered and left bruised one night, though it is never clear what has happened. Her thoughts meander over the incident and the consequences in which at one point she believes she may be pregnant.
The remainder of the book paints a graphic picture of the effect the trauma has had on Peach and how this is expressed by her in changes to her body shape, and in her perception of the ordinary things of life.
There are mythical and superstitious elements to Peach's damaged psyche, which you will need to experience yourself. I must admit that some of it escaped me, but this thin volume has such power and leaves the reader in no doubt of Peach's pain and the ultimate consequences.
It is quite unlike anything I have read before, and whilst I cannot claim to have fully understood it, it definitely is unique. Unfortunately it is an acquired taste so not everyone will appreciate the style.
The story follows Peach, who has been brutally battered and left bruised one night, though it is never clear what has happened. Her thoughts meander over the incident and the consequences in which at one point she believes she may be pregnant.
The remainder of the book paints a graphic picture of the effect the trauma has had on Peach and how this is expressed by her in changes to her body shape, and in her perception of the ordinary things of life.
There are mythical and superstitious elements to Peach's damaged psyche, which you will need to experience yourself. I must admit that some of it escaped me, but this thin volume has such power and leaves the reader in no doubt of Peach's pain and the ultimate consequences.
It is quite unlike anything I have read before, and whilst I cannot claim to have fully understood it, it definitely is unique. Unfortunately it is an acquired taste so not everyone will appreciate the style.
BTPBookclub (18 KP) rated The Lido in Books
May 11, 2019
Uplifting. Beautiful story
There are not enough words to describe this story, but here’s a few; uplifting, comforting, friendship, community, beautiful, joyful, kind, tender, charming and a feel good novel. That should be enough right?
I had my head in this book and didn’t want to leave it or put it down. I was a part of that community with them the whole time, I was their friend and welcomed. I truelly devoured this story and sad that I finished it. It is a stunning debut. A must read if you haven’t already. One you won’t forget.
I loved the whole community within the book. The friendships, the bonds, the stories they tell and lastly how they always stuck together and fought together till the end. My heart was with them the whole time. A beautiful lot of characters, especially Kate and Rosemary they had such a cute and amazing unexpected relationship. I think they both needed each other to be honest. I loved them all.
Beautifully written. I cannot recommend this story enough. A must buy. A well deserved five stars from me and it’s got to have a place in my top twenty of the year. Beautiful. Amazing. Outstanding. Absolutely loved every minute of it.
I had my head in this book and didn’t want to leave it or put it down. I was a part of that community with them the whole time, I was their friend and welcomed. I truelly devoured this story and sad that I finished it. It is a stunning debut. A must read if you haven’t already. One you won’t forget.
I loved the whole community within the book. The friendships, the bonds, the stories they tell and lastly how they always stuck together and fought together till the end. My heart was with them the whole time. A beautiful lot of characters, especially Kate and Rosemary they had such a cute and amazing unexpected relationship. I think they both needed each other to be honest. I loved them all.
Beautifully written. I cannot recommend this story enough. A must buy. A well deserved five stars from me and it’s got to have a place in my top twenty of the year. Beautiful. Amazing. Outstanding. Absolutely loved every minute of it.
Mayhawke (97 KP) rated Force of Nature (Aaron Falk #2) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
A worthwhile follow-up to The Dry
I loved Harper's debut novel 'The Dry', so I was delighted to receive a proof copy of 'Force of Nature' from LittleBrown. I have been even more delighted to find that it more than lives up to the expectations raised by 'The Dry'.
A group of colleagues take part in a teambuilding weekend in the mountain forests north of Melbourne. Five women start out on the hike together, but when they finally struggle back to the base camp three days later, one of them is missing.
Is her diappearance linked to the serial killer who had made the area his hunting ground twenty years earlier, or is it the result of bullying and anger that permeate the group? Or is it less than a coincidence that the woman who is missing is an informant for Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk?
Fantastically delivered story line. Well paced, atmospheric and with wonderfully realised characters. The story is told through the voices of five different characters, which is no mean feat, particularly as they are all well defined and individual. Using parallel story lines Harper builds her tale gradually to a tense, fast paced climax.
Cannot wait for her third book, now!
A group of colleagues take part in a teambuilding weekend in the mountain forests north of Melbourne. Five women start out on the hike together, but when they finally struggle back to the base camp three days later, one of them is missing.
Is her diappearance linked to the serial killer who had made the area his hunting ground twenty years earlier, or is it the result of bullying and anger that permeate the group? Or is it less than a coincidence that the woman who is missing is an informant for Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk?
Fantastically delivered story line. Well paced, atmospheric and with wonderfully realised characters. The story is told through the voices of five different characters, which is no mean feat, particularly as they are all well defined and individual. Using parallel story lines Harper builds her tale gradually to a tense, fast paced climax.
Cannot wait for her third book, now!
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Choosing (Seer, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
I am finding it difficult to write a review without giving too much of the story away! This book is filled with so many aspects that left my mind reeling, my heart aching, and my stomach churning. But through it all, the message is clear. The Father has chosen us, chosen me. I am beautiful, I have worth. There is freedom in the truth.
With multiple viewpoints and storylines to follow, this book is intense and pretty heavy at times. But LIFE and TRUTH bleed through in even the most dreadful moments. Rachelle has created a brilliant dystopian world with intriguing characters. Reading this book kept me up late and had me biting my nails. I even had a dream or two about the story. It gets inside your head for sure! Watching Carrington develop and grow and become a seer of truth was beautiful.
The Choosing is the first book of a series and definitely leaves you wanting more. However, it does end with a fairly satisfying conclusion...for now. I enjoyed Rachelle Dekker's debut novel and look forward to continuing this series.
I received The Choosing as a gift. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
With multiple viewpoints and storylines to follow, this book is intense and pretty heavy at times. But LIFE and TRUTH bleed through in even the most dreadful moments. Rachelle has created a brilliant dystopian world with intriguing characters. Reading this book kept me up late and had me biting my nails. I even had a dream or two about the story. It gets inside your head for sure! Watching Carrington develop and grow and become a seer of truth was beautiful.
The Choosing is the first book of a series and definitely leaves you wanting more. However, it does end with a fairly satisfying conclusion...for now. I enjoyed Rachelle Dekker's debut novel and look forward to continuing this series.
I received The Choosing as a gift. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
James Bond: The Secret History
Sean Egan and Jeremy Duns
Book
James Bond entered the world in 1953 with the novel Casino Royale by Ian Fleming. Since then, the...
I'm Thinking of Ending Things
6.0
Rate It
Book
Soon to be a Netflix film directed by Charlie Kaufman. Jake and his girlfriend are on a drive to...
P.S. I Love You
8.1
Rate It
Book
"'Remember our wonderful memories, but don't be afraid to make some more..." Holly and Gerry had the...
MS
Marvel: Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Egmont UK Ltd and Jason Reynolds
Book
Miles Morales must deal with the powers of a spider and the responsibility of a super hero. An...
A Dying Breed
Book
'HANINGTON EXCELS...AN IMPRESSIVE DEBUT' The Sunday Times 'THOUGHTFUL, ATMOSPHERIC AND GRIPPINGLY...