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Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Her Every Fear in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Read my review here: https://bookbumzuky.wordpress.com/
NOW AVAILABLE!
<b><i>Face it. Accept it. Float with it. Let time pass.</i></b>
Kate, our anxiety riddled main character, has just flat swapped with her American cousin in order to boost her confidence and try to escape her haunted past for a little while, but as soon as she arrives at her cousin's luxurious apartment, things begin to go sour. Her new next door neighbour has been murdered, and her secretive American cousin seems to the main suspect.
<b>This <i>could</i> have been <i>so</i> good.</b> Swansons last hit novel, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1427280826">The Kind Worth Killing</a> (aw look at my baby review) was so goddamn exciting and thrilling but this was completely missing whatever spark the other had. A co-reviewer (Maxi/Slothreads) commented that this book was uninspired and I couldnt have put that any better myself, hence why Im quoting it. This had potential to work and be great but I feel like Swanson was pushed for time by his editors on this and spewed out whatever came to mind first. I know I sound like a total arse for saying that but Im just really disappointed in this novel! <b>Warning: some spoilers ahead.</b>
Lets start off by talking about our uninteresting characters. Kate suffers from anxiety disorder, made a lot worse by a terrifying incident she had with her ex boyfriend, so she decides to travel across the pond and into her cousin's apartment. While anxiety is something Im all too familiar with, I dont actually have any sympathy for Kate, as were supposed to. If she was really as damaged as she is made out to be, I find it very hard to believe she would move to America for 6 months all by herself, make friends and chat with everyone she comes across and sleep with a guy, Alan, whos admitted to be a creepy window watcher after 3 days of knowing him. Next comes ol cousin Corbin whos a cliche jock. Swanson makes him out to be the guilt ridden, caring man but after the revelation of his bad deeds in the past, how are we supposed to like him or feel sorry for him? It makes all the empathetic talk from him seem so creepy. Our only interesting character is, of course, the psycho. A bit of an over-the-top, cliche psycho, but at least worth reading about.
My <b>main</b> issue with this novel is the repetition of scenes. Our narrator chops and changes several times in the novel, so were often presented with a retelling of what weve already been told by another narrator. Id say that at least 25% of this book is a repeat of a part weve already read, so it gets very tedious, very quickly. Another issue with this novel is the lack of plot twist, I mean, there is a plot twist, but its not that exciting and it happens early on in the novel, so the rest of the book plays out exactly how you would expect it to. Can I also quickly just complain about the unnecessary focus on the fact that Alan is Jewish? It made me uncomfortable. And that Swanson should have done some more research into England because we dont have £100 notes.
This novel had great potential, but in the end, it was a let down. The ending was terribly mediocre and then the remaining chapters were a waste of time to read, they really could have been removed.
Thanks to Netgalley and Faber & Faber Ltd for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
NOW AVAILABLE!
<b><i>Face it. Accept it. Float with it. Let time pass.</i></b>
Kate, our anxiety riddled main character, has just flat swapped with her American cousin in order to boost her confidence and try to escape her haunted past for a little while, but as soon as she arrives at her cousin's luxurious apartment, things begin to go sour. Her new next door neighbour has been murdered, and her secretive American cousin seems to the main suspect.
<b>This <i>could</i> have been <i>so</i> good.</b> Swansons last hit novel, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1427280826">The Kind Worth Killing</a> (aw look at my baby review) was so goddamn exciting and thrilling but this was completely missing whatever spark the other had. A co-reviewer (Maxi/Slothreads) commented that this book was uninspired and I couldnt have put that any better myself, hence why Im quoting it. This had potential to work and be great but I feel like Swanson was pushed for time by his editors on this and spewed out whatever came to mind first. I know I sound like a total arse for saying that but Im just really disappointed in this novel! <b>Warning: some spoilers ahead.</b>
Lets start off by talking about our uninteresting characters. Kate suffers from anxiety disorder, made a lot worse by a terrifying incident she had with her ex boyfriend, so she decides to travel across the pond and into her cousin's apartment. While anxiety is something Im all too familiar with, I dont actually have any sympathy for Kate, as were supposed to. If she was really as damaged as she is made out to be, I find it very hard to believe she would move to America for 6 months all by herself, make friends and chat with everyone she comes across and sleep with a guy, Alan, whos admitted to be a creepy window watcher after 3 days of knowing him. Next comes ol cousin Corbin whos a cliche jock. Swanson makes him out to be the guilt ridden, caring man but after the revelation of his bad deeds in the past, how are we supposed to like him or feel sorry for him? It makes all the empathetic talk from him seem so creepy. Our only interesting character is, of course, the psycho. A bit of an over-the-top, cliche psycho, but at least worth reading about.
My <b>main</b> issue with this novel is the repetition of scenes. Our narrator chops and changes several times in the novel, so were often presented with a retelling of what weve already been told by another narrator. Id say that at least 25% of this book is a repeat of a part weve already read, so it gets very tedious, very quickly. Another issue with this novel is the lack of plot twist, I mean, there is a plot twist, but its not that exciting and it happens early on in the novel, so the rest of the book plays out exactly how you would expect it to. Can I also quickly just complain about the unnecessary focus on the fact that Alan is Jewish? It made me uncomfortable. And that Swanson should have done some more research into England because we dont have £100 notes.
This novel had great potential, but in the end, it was a let down. The ending was terribly mediocre and then the remaining chapters were a waste of time to read, they really could have been removed.
Thanks to Netgalley and Faber & Faber Ltd for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Books Editor (673 KP) shared own list
Oct 10, 2017
Entertainment Weekly has been highlighting the best LGBTQIA representation in pop culture by putting together a list of young adult novels that showcase the wealth and diversity of the LGBTQ spectrum.
Wild Beauty
6.0
Rate It
Book
Love grows such strange things. Anna-Marie McLemore's debut novel The Weight of Feathers garnered...
Young Adult LGBTQ Fantasy Romance
Spinning
Book
Ignatz Award winner Tillie Walden’s powerful graphic memoir Spinning captures what it’s like to...
LGBTQ Young Adult
They Both Die At The End
9.0
Rate It
Book
n September 5th, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give...
Mask of Shadows
8.5
Rate It
Book
"I love every aspect of this amazing book―a genderfluid hero, a deadly contest, and vicious...
Young Adult LGBTQ Fantasy
Gentleman's Guide To Vice And Virtue
8.9
Rate It
Book
SIMON VS. THE HOMOSAPIENS meets the 1700s in this hilarious and swashbuckling standalone teen...
and 10 other items
This is a debut novel by this particular author and, to be honest, not one that I would have chosen to read myself but was lucky enough to have been sent an advance copy from the publisher, Legend Times Group, in return for an honest review and I am really pleased they did as I really enjoyed it.
Full review on my blog - <a href="http://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/fractured-by-clar-n-chonghaile.html">Reading Stuff 'n' Things</a>
Full review on my blog - <a href="http://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/fractured-by-clar-n-chonghaile.html">Reading Stuff 'n' Things</a>
Daisy (166 KP) rated The Green Mile (1999) in Movies
May 7, 2017
Thoughtful, intelligent movie for older teens and adults. (2 more)
Tom Hank's, as usual, is superb.
Well crafted and moving story.
based on King's 1996 serialized novel set in a prison. In 1935, inmates at the Cold Mountain Correctional Facility call Death Row "The Green Mile" because of the dark green linoleum that tiles the floor.
Dave P. (9 KP) rated Ready Player One in Books
Jul 20, 2017
Anything 80's can't be too bad
Ernest Cline's futuristic novel references back to the 80's in many ways. The story of a kid in 2044 tied to a virtual world called OASIS has the chance to win the grand prize if he can beat the thousands of others to solve it. Love the references used through out the book and the culture of it. Great read, couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Ministry of Utmost Happiness in Books
Jul 24, 2017
A spotlight on the dark side of modern India
After 20 years, Arundhati Roy has returned with a stunning novel looking at contemporary Indian society through the eyes of a Hijra, an 'untouchable' called Saddam Hussein and various colourful characters on the periphery living in an old Delhi graveyard. The language and descriptions are decadent, but the political and controversial social aspect is truly groundbreaking, especially the content covering Kashmir. It's a pleasurable, satirical, and mildly dark read
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel in Books
Jan 12, 2018
This books does an amazing job or taking us through the complexities of coming out not only to others but to ourselves. The diversity of cultures really hits on what life really is like including the "toxic" people we may come in contact. Farizan does an amazing job capturing the emotions of her characters. Also it is nice not to have an LGBTQ novel that is all about sex but more the complexities of feelings and relationships.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Schasm (Schasm, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Shari J. Ryan] did a fantastic job of character development in [Schasm]. This is a very character driven novel that keeps you guessing. Chloe's struggle with her "illness" and even more so with her mother is the center of this story. It gets even more complicated when Alex enters. I still am not sure what is the truth in this book but it left me wanting more. It is a nice non vampire, non sex driven YA romance twist.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Vegetarian: A Novel in Books
Sep 13, 2017
Incredibly creative and disturbing look at transformation
Han Kang is an absolute gem in terms of creative writing and The Vegetarian does not disappoint. It's difficult to explain without completely spoiling the plot but it consists of a woman becoming vegetarian and her subsequent 'transformation'.
The beautiful imagery and the graphic details about mental health is unique, and at times the insanity of the novel resembles Kafka's Metamorphosis. It is definitely in that league of magical realism.
The beautiful imagery and the graphic details about mental health is unique, and at times the insanity of the novel resembles Kafka's Metamorphosis. It is definitely in that league of magical realism.
Christen (28 KP) rated Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge in Books
May 2, 2018
How could I not pick up a book about a group of people who call themselves the Alechemists and make the perfect cocktails to give themselves powers to fight off demons? This is a dream novel for everyone who always picks to play as the mage character. (Like yours truly) Also I would like to take the time to appreciate the fact that coffee baristas act as healers in this story. Thank you Mr. Paul Krueger and cheers.