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My Sister Is Missing
My Sister Is Missing
Julia Barrett | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences, Thriller
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is told from multiple perspectives, but Jess was the one trying to investigate and find her sister. I really liked this approach to the book, it allowed to see different events happening and how they interconnect between the characters in this story. There were a lot of characters in this novel, but they lacked some spirit in them. I could not understand Jess’s relationship with her boyfriend, and some of her thoughts sound quite feeble. I liked this ghostly vibe which the author used in this novel, it felt quite creepy sometimes. 🙂

The narrative of this book was quite interesting. I liked the way the author was throwing in false information, she actually tricked me a couple of times. 🙂 I did enjoy Jess’s investigation process, but I was quite disappointed with her findings. I was expecting something sinister and mind blowing but I didn’t get that. 😦 The topics discussed in this novel were postnatal psychosis, difficult mother-child relationships, child abuse, mental health, etc. The narrative does have several threads going on, with different issues discussed, but the second part of the book looks less than a thriller and more like a book about treatment and life in general, and I do like my thrillers to grip me till the last page of the book. I can see that the author utilised her knowledge of hospitals and Sheffield in this novel, and it is always interesting to see how authors are connected to their books. 🙂

The writing style of this book was pleasant to read and the language used easy to understand. I liked the different settings and places used in this novel, it gave more edge to the book. The chapters had a decent length and didn’t drag to me. The ending of this book rounded the story nicely but started way too early in my opinion.

So, to conclude, this book has to offer an interesting story and how sometimes our mind can play tricks on us at the worst possible time. I enjoyed this book and the mental health issues it supports. If you are looking for a light thriller, this book is for you. I hope you will give this book a go, and I hope you will enjoy it.
  
How to Stop Time
How to Stop Time
Matt Haig | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
6
8.0 (21 Ratings)
Book Rating
A little glib, better as a young adult novel
Matt Haig's novel, soon to be a motion picture with Benedict Cumberbatch, has had rave reviews, yet I feel I'm in the minority in saying it fell short of expectations.

Following Tom Hazard, an unusual protagonist with a rare condition which has made him live for centuries, has been searching for his daughter ever since he was forced to leave her. Describing major events in history, Hazard continues to change his identity in order to survive becoming a history teacher as his current persona. All the while being controlled by the mysterious Hendricks. Is it better to live for a short while with love, or for eternity alone?

While the story is imaginative, the characters are underdeveloped and the constant time change is inconsistent. The plot may be a little too juvenile for me, not really to my taste. Enjoy the film.
  
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Charlotte (210 KP) rated The Power in Books

Jan 6, 2018  
The Power
The Power
Naomi Alderman | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
7.9 (13 Ratings)
Book Rating
an incredibly interesting concept with a fast paced plot (3 more)
very interesting structure of the book as a book within a book, etc.
a thought provoking commentary on gender, religion, power, war and the future of these things, even with hints towards the dangerous future of chemical/atomic/nuclear weaponry
i am sure that this will be made into a movie (it really is of grand proportions) and i can only hope they do it justice
truly disturbing at times (0 more)
THANK YOU FOR THIS NOVEL NAOMI ALDERMAN
i cannot encourage anyone to read this book enough. what a concept for a novel!! especially biting from the perspective of a female reader, it reads as a disturbing and compelling gender political satire that sometimes hits a little too close to home. i implore you to read it and reconsider the gender political landscape of our modern society
  
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ArecRain (8 KP) rated Bad Romance in Books

Jan 18, 2018  
BR
Bad Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Well rounded and in-depth, Bad Romance feels like a true novel and not just an excuse to write a stepbrother romance. That is a trope that can go wrong very quickly but that author managed to juggle it well along with the rest of the novel’s drama.

It is easy to get caught up in the passion and emotions of Bad Romance. I found myself burning with rage at the useless parents, especially since they felt realistic. At first, the lead couple’s personalities annoyed me, but it was rewarding to watch their story unfold.

If you are looking for a romance filled with passion, both in and out of the bedroom, Bad Romance is definitely for you. If the stepbrother trope puts you off, don’t be. Their parents were barely married before he left so there was no creepy of gross factor attached.
  
CA
Claiming Addison (69 Bottles, #1)
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have been really into menage books lately. However, they either end up being absolutely amazing or pure garbage. I wasn’t sure how to feel about this novel going in because I find I don’t really enjoy the whole “rock star” scene nor do I like when the author has to use the “one of them has a dark secret” trope (especially since the secret it usually something stupid…)

This novel, however, had everything. It had humor, it had drama, and it had heat. I was surprised by the dialogue. Dialogue can make or break a book for me, but Derrick knew what she was doing. I wish I could have liked the female lead more, but she just didn’t sit right with me. I felt like she was too delicate even though she tries to be strong. I found her personality grating at points.
  
Tethered
Tethered
Amy MacKinnon | 2008 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Plot, characters, imagery (0 more)
Longtime Favorite
Where to start? First let me say that this book is probably only going to resonate with a certain audience. The author, Amy MacKinnon, explores some dark subjects but manages to do it in a beautiful way. The book follows a main character, Clara Marsh, who works as a mortician in a funeral home and struggles with events in her past. These events are brought to light through flashback chapters that don't distract from the main plot of the story. It is a thrilling read that will have you hanging onto every word as Clara deals with past abuse and loss and the struggle to help a young girl who keeps making appearances in her life. This beaitifully haunting crime novel is definetely worth the read for anyone who enjoys the thrill of a good mystery and suspense filled novel.
  
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B (62 KP) rated Pride and Prejudice in Books

Sep 30, 2018  
Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen, Donald Gray, Mary A. Favret | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.0 (94 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am so grateful to Jane Austen because this book changed my life and the way that I view the world. I simply do not have the words to explain what this novel means to me and to try to say as much would not do it justice. I feel like my life over the last 10 years has become centered around reading and rereading the Austen works and their adaptations as well as watching the films. Austen's witty and often sarcastic portrayal of the elegance and complex sinplicity of Regency England never fails to put a big stupid smile on my face. I feel like I have found kindred spirits in the foolish mistakes of Elizabeth Bennet and unsociable demeanor of Fitzwilliam Darcy. While I know this novel may not be everyone's cup of tea, I still highly recommend giving it a try.
  
I enjoyed Rebecca Reid’s compelling debut novel Perfect Liars.

Perfect Liars is a thoroughly satisfying character driven psychological thriller. It’s cleverly plotted and clear from the beginning, despite being paced on the slow side, that it is a compelling tale.

The characters are somewhat unlikeable in that they are typical stereotypical pretentious, entitled, self-centered women. The story is told using a dual timeline, past and present. Whilst they display a close friendship to the world it is deeply flawed.

There are certain parts of the storyline that I felt were a little too unbelievable and that is why this does not get a full five stars from me.

A fantastic debut by Rebecca Reid and I very much look forward to whatever she comes up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel at this time. 
  
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Milleen (47 KP) rated Munich in Books

Nov 14, 2018 (Updated Nov 14, 2018)  
M
Munich
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This outstanding novel covers Adolf HitlerÕs meeting with Neville Chamberlain in 1938. The grave shadow of Chamberlain, deeply opposed to another conflict only twenty years after the Great War that had killed a generation of men. Against Hitler, 'the madman' ready to 'smash the Czechs' and blaze through new territories. This meeting in Munich is the focal point of the novel and Harris rewrites real events using two bystanders, one German, one English. Based on fact, Harris skilfully interweaves the lives of Hugh Legat and his English wife, rich, beautiful and unfaithful. Paul Von Hartmann and his lover, a secretary in the German foreign ministry, someone he may not entirely trust. It's Harris' attention to detail that makes this version of history so credible, right down to the description of the swastikas on the taps. A tightly woven thriller mixed with historical fact that will appeal to a lot of readers.
  
The Silent Patient
The Silent Patient
Alex Michaelides | 2019 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
10
8.3 (39 Ratings)
Book Rating
Incredible debut novel!
An incredible debut novel that has left me staring into the void, processing, after just finishing... After reading an excerpt, I was hooked and every page sucked me in deeper. Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has felt drawn to Alicia Berenson's case since it began. A new job has provided him with the opportunity to help work towards some sort of breakthrough and he plans to do just that. Alicia, silent after being found with her husband dead at her feet, has been forgotten, no longer front page news, tucked away quietly in a psychiatric facility facing closure. This book touches on so many difficult topics, mental health, love, and betrayal. The author did a fabulous job of building the story and then twisting it in a way I never would have seen coming!? Highly recommended read and will be back for more from this author!