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The Shifter (Legends of Pern Coen: Fated #1)
10.0
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Saving her could cost him everything. Bran has spent his life being hunted for what he is. Born...
Romance Fantasy Fade-to-Black Celtic/Roman
Merissa (13840 KP) rated Ally and her Mad Hatter (The Madness of Wonderland #2) in Books
May 31, 2023
ALLY AND HER MAD HATTER is a dark and twisted re-telling of Alice in Wonderland that comes with a variety of trigger warnings. Please take heed of them!
I found this to be extremely graphic in places as Ally learns more about herself - including the parts she has tried to keep hidden or denied. The characters are easily recognisable and there is a touch of madness throughout - just as it should be in Wonderland.
The ending was perfectly paced and gripping. I'm not sure if it was completely believable with Ally leaving everything behind without a murmur (and, yes, I know how that sounds considering the story! đ) but it certainly fits with the rest of the story and gave me the ending I wanted.
There were a few slight errors in the editing with words missing and spelling mistakes but nothing too severe that affected my enjoyment of the story.
A dark read that I enjoyed and definitely recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 8, 2023
I found this to be extremely graphic in places as Ally learns more about herself - including the parts she has tried to keep hidden or denied. The characters are easily recognisable and there is a touch of madness throughout - just as it should be in Wonderland.
The ending was perfectly paced and gripping. I'm not sure if it was completely believable with Ally leaving everything behind without a murmur (and, yes, I know how that sounds considering the story! đ) but it certainly fits with the rest of the story and gave me the ending I wanted.
There were a few slight errors in the editing with words missing and spelling mistakes but nothing too severe that affected my enjoyment of the story.
A dark read that I enjoyed and definitely recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 8, 2023
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated His Game: The First Time in Books
Feb 5, 2024
đđđđ
23 of 220
Kindle
His Game: The First Time
By Tirzah M.M. Hawkins
âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Trigger warning and crap content
Rachel's your average teenage girl, fresh out of high school, excited about the secret trip her boyfriend surprised her with. She's been waiting forever for him to pop the question.
However, John isn't your average teenage boy. And his idea of a fun trip is far from a proposal.
John's growing into his tastes. Tastes for things unmentionable in polite society. Read this coming-of-age story about how a violent artist got his start.
Each book in the His Game series is a standalone story and can be read in any order.
So I read His Game: The woods as an arc a while ago and I just needed to read this one too this is how John starts his game and itâs a pretty twisted tale. This is not for everyone itâs graphic and dark. Itâs always hard to say I liked these kind of books but when they are well written and provoke a response that the author sets out to achieve then they are worth the read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
23 of 220
Kindle
His Game: The First Time
By Tirzah M.M. Hawkins
âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Trigger warning and crap content
Rachel's your average teenage girl, fresh out of high school, excited about the secret trip her boyfriend surprised her with. She's been waiting forever for him to pop the question.
However, John isn't your average teenage boy. And his idea of a fun trip is far from a proposal.
John's growing into his tastes. Tastes for things unmentionable in polite society. Read this coming-of-age story about how a violent artist got his start.
Each book in the His Game series is a standalone story and can be read in any order.
So I read His Game: The woods as an arc a while ago and I just needed to read this one too this is how John starts his game and itâs a pretty twisted tale. This is not for everyone itâs graphic and dark. Itâs always hard to say I liked these kind of books but when they are well written and provoke a response that the author sets out to achieve then they are worth the read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Unraveling of Luna Forester in Books
May 7, 2024
87 of 220
Kindle
The Unraveling of Luna Forester
By Marisa Noelle
âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
When his best friend Luna is found catatonic after a devastating house fire, Matthew begins to fall apart.
âTake care of them, Matthew.â
âAlways.â
âProtect my secret.â
âOf course.â
Thatâs the promise he made to her only three nights ago. A solemn vow to protect their large found family of humans and supernatural creatures alike.
Fated to love her for the rest of his life, and unwilling to break his solemn vow, Matthew knows the only person who can help Luna is her grandmother. Through the woods they must go, just like a fairytale. But the forest is filled with deadly peril: poisonous black moss, chimeras, and worst of all, members of their family who don't want them to continue.
As they are picked off one by one, Matthew races to get Luna to safety, all the time doubting everything he thought was true.
Can Matthew untangle the twisted threads of Lunaâs secret before he himself unravels?
Well this was a little bit of a special read. I donât think Iâve ever read anything quite like it before. So well written it was a truly haunting journey through a young girls mind helped along by some special friends.
Kindle
The Unraveling of Luna Forester
By Marisa Noelle
âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
When his best friend Luna is found catatonic after a devastating house fire, Matthew begins to fall apart.
âTake care of them, Matthew.â
âAlways.â
âProtect my secret.â
âOf course.â
Thatâs the promise he made to her only three nights ago. A solemn vow to protect their large found family of humans and supernatural creatures alike.
Fated to love her for the rest of his life, and unwilling to break his solemn vow, Matthew knows the only person who can help Luna is her grandmother. Through the woods they must go, just like a fairytale. But the forest is filled with deadly peril: poisonous black moss, chimeras, and worst of all, members of their family who don't want them to continue.
As they are picked off one by one, Matthew races to get Luna to safety, all the time doubting everything he thought was true.
Can Matthew untangle the twisted threads of Lunaâs secret before he himself unravels?
Well this was a little bit of a special read. I donât think Iâve ever read anything quite like it before. So well written it was a truly haunting journey through a young girls mind helped along by some special friends.
Merissa (13840 KP) rated All Twisted Up (FBI Files (Spec. Ops. Tac Team) #1) in Books
Oct 30, 2025
ALL TWISTED UP is the first book in the FBI Files (Spec. Ops. Tac Team), featuring Nash and Joshua. Nash is on the team, a bit of a playboy (I'm being polite!), while Joshua looks after his family and works two jobs. These two couldn't be any different. Trying to keep Joshua alive after he's targeted by a cartel is what unites them.
This was a page-turner, for sure. Each of the main characters in the group was interesting, and I can't wait to learn more about each of them. As for Nash and Joshua, well, there's plenty of heat between them, but feelings too. Let's just say the playboy stops playing away.
I will admit, I wasn't paying too much attention when the different cartels were mentioned. It was good enough for me to know 'a' cartel was after Joshua, and Candy's team were on hand to save the day.
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and absolutely recommend. Now, when's the next one out?
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 30, 2025
This was a page-turner, for sure. Each of the main characters in the group was interesting, and I can't wait to learn more about each of them. As for Nash and Joshua, well, there's plenty of heat between them, but feelings too. Let's just say the playboy stops playing away.
I will admit, I wasn't paying too much attention when the different cartels were mentioned. It was good enough for me to know 'a' cartel was after Joshua, and Candy's team were on hand to save the day.
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and absolutely recommend. Now, when's the next one out?
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 30, 2025
Merissa (13840 KP) rated Ringmaster (Seven Sins Carnival #1) in Books
Mar 13, 2026
RINGMASTER is the first book in Arden Hart's new Dark Romance series, Seven Sins Carnival. And I've mentioned right at the beginning that this is Dark Romance, because light and fluffy it certainly is not!
Elias is the ringmaster (obviously) of the carnival, and his brothers all have different roles. Most of them are not related by blood, but by trauma, shock, and horror. They were disgustingly abused by a cult, but escaped. Now, as adults, they are seeking vengeance. Jules is a freelance reporter who knows there is a story there. She just doesn't know how twisted it is.
If you don't like Primal Play, PDAs, or exhibitionism, then this may not be the book for you! Because it has all that and more. Elias and his brothers are all deranged in their own perfect ways, but the story is written in a way that makes it understandable. My heart breaks for Rowe, and I can't wait for his story.
Silas is next, and I hope we see more of Jules and Elias, too. This was a great, bloody start to a new series, and I am here for it. Absolutely recommended by me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mar 13, 2026
Elias is the ringmaster (obviously) of the carnival, and his brothers all have different roles. Most of them are not related by blood, but by trauma, shock, and horror. They were disgustingly abused by a cult, but escaped. Now, as adults, they are seeking vengeance. Jules is a freelance reporter who knows there is a story there. She just doesn't know how twisted it is.
If you don't like Primal Play, PDAs, or exhibitionism, then this may not be the book for you! Because it has all that and more. Elias and his brothers are all deranged in their own perfect ways, but the story is written in a way that makes it understandable. My heart breaks for Rowe, and I can't wait for his story.
Silas is next, and I hope we see more of Jules and Elias, too. This was a great, bloody start to a new series, and I am here for it. Absolutely recommended by me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mar 13, 2026
Under Your Care
9.0
Rate It
Book
Lane Bennett has struggled for years due to his childhood trauma. He's tired of feeling broken...
Dark Contemporary MM Romance Trigger Warnings Daddy/boy
Lottie disney bookworm (1056 KP) rated A Whole New World in Books
Aug 16, 2019
Review by Disney Bookworm
âWhat if Aladdin had never found the lamp?â
OK so I am going to start off this review with a really pedantic comment and I know I am being petty and that this will almost definitely end in a rant but⌠he does find the lamp! Of course he does! Aladdin is the diamond in the rough! He is literally the only one who can find the lamp. If he didnât find the lamp nothing would happen: Jasmine would probably grow old with her tiger; Jafar would carry on hypnotising the Sultan; Aladdin would probably wind up arrested and this would be the shortest twisted tale in history.
*Ahem*
So, Aladdin finds the lamp. Letâs move past it, because if you have read my other reviews, you will know I love Liz Braswell: her twisted tales always wind up being my favourites as she always brings something completely unexpected to the novels. In the circumstances, I can forgive the tagline.
This review of âA Whole New Worldâ comes at a time where Aladdin is everywhere: the live action movie was released in the UK just over a month ago and, I for one, loved it! With this in mind, I just had to re-read this twisted tale and shout about the wholly different Agrabah that it presents to the reader.
Braswellâs Agrabah is a raw, dirty, troubled cousin of the Agrabah we all know and love. I struggle to comprehend exactly how the movies did it, because both showed starving children, but we found ourselves simultaneously accepting and glossing over the poverty of the street rats. We have no such option in âA Whole New Worldâ.
From starving infants; old men shovelling camel dung for coins; to Aladdinâs own mother dying of a wasting disease: this novel takes no prisoners in the Quarter of the Street Rats. However, those in the Palace remain blind to the struggles of the poor, with the Sultan playing with his golden toys whilst some of his citizens have no food or clean water.
The plight of the Agrabah people creates an undercurrent of resentment that runs all the way through Aladdin and Jasmineâs story. It is also a clear indicator of the identity of this novel: Braswell has taken all the romanticism of the familiar story and buried it in her own cave of wonders, leaving behind a highly political but incredibly powerful story.
The twisted tale starts off on a similar vein to both movies, boy meets girl, boy rescues girl from hand severing businessman, boy winds up arrested and transported to a creepy cave where he finds an old lamp, boyâs monkey canât keep his hands to himself and boy is left clinging on for his life at the entrance to said creepy cave. However, in this version, when Jafar steps on Aladdinâs fingers to prevent his escape, Abu doesnât grab the lamp! How will Aladdin escape now?
As is to be expected from Braswellâs novels, the characters are phenomenal. Aladdin is the proud, eternal optimist that we recognise but with a strong ethical viewpoint that is introduced by the inclusion of his mother as a character.
Creating a new character, particularly Aladdinâs mother, could simply be a tactic to give some history to the charming thief. However, Braswell uses the matriarch to add depth to Aladdin: she tells him âdonât let how poor you are, decide who you areâŚyou can choose to be something moreâ.
This is ultimately the lesson the genie would teach Aladdin if they were to meet and so I think it is very clever of Braswell to keep this element of Aladdinâs character. It allows us to witness Aladdinâs pride and strength through these instilled virtues: he has even lost friends over his views of when he considers it acceptable to be a thief.
Although I wouldnât consider the genie a main character in this tale (he doesnât get as much airtime as in the films): he remains a funny and flippant sidekick for the most part. However, in keeping with the tone of âA Whole New Worldâ, he does use this humour to provoke our thoughts. The genie and Braswell divulge that there was once a whole race of djinn who have since died out. The genie has lost his home, his wife and his freedom and so, he rightly asks, who would stay sane under those conditions?
Jafar; Mr dark and twisty himself, is a whole other level of evil in this twisted tale. He does present some of the characteristics of the movie villain: power mad, desperate for everyone to love him and all that jazz; however, he also tortures the genie and plans to break the laws of magic in order to create an army of the dead. Itâs all very game of thrones all of a sudden!
I know what youâre thinking: what about Jasmine? Surely, she isnât all dark and twisty as well? The girl looks good in turquoise baggy trousers for goodness sakes!
Jasmine begins her journey as the typical naĂŻve, sheltered princess she is always portrayed as: possessing no knowledge of the price of food or the struggles of her own people. However, Braswell manages to make even the live-action Jasmine appear over-dramatic and petty: she isnât resisting marriage just because she doesnât fancy random foreign prince number 3; she is resisting becoming a âbaby making machineâ and signing herself up to an early grave.
âA princess among menâ, Jasmine and the reader soon realise that she has to step forward and become the hero of this tale. This is no small ask for someone who has never led an army or witnessed death before. Nonetheless, Jasmine is clearly up to the task: this is no weak princess trapped in an hourglass of sand, waiting to be rescued by a man. This is a Sultana!
The story of Aladdin typically conjures up images of love, magic carpets and romantic duets. Liz Braswellâs story of Agrabah does orbit around love, how could it not? However, âA Whole New Worldâ explores the shades of grey in life: Street rats are not always bad, Princesses are not always good and magic is not always the solution. This is not a tale of love; it is a tale of finding strength in unlikely places; it is a tale that teaches us you donât need magic to have a happy ending.
OK so I am going to start off this review with a really pedantic comment and I know I am being petty and that this will almost definitely end in a rant but⌠he does find the lamp! Of course he does! Aladdin is the diamond in the rough! He is literally the only one who can find the lamp. If he didnât find the lamp nothing would happen: Jasmine would probably grow old with her tiger; Jafar would carry on hypnotising the Sultan; Aladdin would probably wind up arrested and this would be the shortest twisted tale in history.
*Ahem*
So, Aladdin finds the lamp. Letâs move past it, because if you have read my other reviews, you will know I love Liz Braswell: her twisted tales always wind up being my favourites as she always brings something completely unexpected to the novels. In the circumstances, I can forgive the tagline.
This review of âA Whole New Worldâ comes at a time where Aladdin is everywhere: the live action movie was released in the UK just over a month ago and, I for one, loved it! With this in mind, I just had to re-read this twisted tale and shout about the wholly different Agrabah that it presents to the reader.
Braswellâs Agrabah is a raw, dirty, troubled cousin of the Agrabah we all know and love. I struggle to comprehend exactly how the movies did it, because both showed starving children, but we found ourselves simultaneously accepting and glossing over the poverty of the street rats. We have no such option in âA Whole New Worldâ.
From starving infants; old men shovelling camel dung for coins; to Aladdinâs own mother dying of a wasting disease: this novel takes no prisoners in the Quarter of the Street Rats. However, those in the Palace remain blind to the struggles of the poor, with the Sultan playing with his golden toys whilst some of his citizens have no food or clean water.
The plight of the Agrabah people creates an undercurrent of resentment that runs all the way through Aladdin and Jasmineâs story. It is also a clear indicator of the identity of this novel: Braswell has taken all the romanticism of the familiar story and buried it in her own cave of wonders, leaving behind a highly political but incredibly powerful story.
The twisted tale starts off on a similar vein to both movies, boy meets girl, boy rescues girl from hand severing businessman, boy winds up arrested and transported to a creepy cave where he finds an old lamp, boyâs monkey canât keep his hands to himself and boy is left clinging on for his life at the entrance to said creepy cave. However, in this version, when Jafar steps on Aladdinâs fingers to prevent his escape, Abu doesnât grab the lamp! How will Aladdin escape now?
As is to be expected from Braswellâs novels, the characters are phenomenal. Aladdin is the proud, eternal optimist that we recognise but with a strong ethical viewpoint that is introduced by the inclusion of his mother as a character.
Creating a new character, particularly Aladdinâs mother, could simply be a tactic to give some history to the charming thief. However, Braswell uses the matriarch to add depth to Aladdin: she tells him âdonât let how poor you are, decide who you areâŚyou can choose to be something moreâ.
This is ultimately the lesson the genie would teach Aladdin if they were to meet and so I think it is very clever of Braswell to keep this element of Aladdinâs character. It allows us to witness Aladdinâs pride and strength through these instilled virtues: he has even lost friends over his views of when he considers it acceptable to be a thief.
Although I wouldnât consider the genie a main character in this tale (he doesnât get as much airtime as in the films): he remains a funny and flippant sidekick for the most part. However, in keeping with the tone of âA Whole New Worldâ, he does use this humour to provoke our thoughts. The genie and Braswell divulge that there was once a whole race of djinn who have since died out. The genie has lost his home, his wife and his freedom and so, he rightly asks, who would stay sane under those conditions?
Jafar; Mr dark and twisty himself, is a whole other level of evil in this twisted tale. He does present some of the characteristics of the movie villain: power mad, desperate for everyone to love him and all that jazz; however, he also tortures the genie and plans to break the laws of magic in order to create an army of the dead. Itâs all very game of thrones all of a sudden!
I know what youâre thinking: what about Jasmine? Surely, she isnât all dark and twisty as well? The girl looks good in turquoise baggy trousers for goodness sakes!
Jasmine begins her journey as the typical naĂŻve, sheltered princess she is always portrayed as: possessing no knowledge of the price of food or the struggles of her own people. However, Braswell manages to make even the live-action Jasmine appear over-dramatic and petty: she isnât resisting marriage just because she doesnât fancy random foreign prince number 3; she is resisting becoming a âbaby making machineâ and signing herself up to an early grave.
âA princess among menâ, Jasmine and the reader soon realise that she has to step forward and become the hero of this tale. This is no small ask for someone who has never led an army or witnessed death before. Nonetheless, Jasmine is clearly up to the task: this is no weak princess trapped in an hourglass of sand, waiting to be rescued by a man. This is a Sultana!
The story of Aladdin typically conjures up images of love, magic carpets and romantic duets. Liz Braswellâs story of Agrabah does orbit around love, how could it not? However, âA Whole New Worldâ explores the shades of grey in life: Street rats are not always bad, Princesses are not always good and magic is not always the solution. This is not a tale of love; it is a tale of finding strength in unlikely places; it is a tale that teaches us you donât need magic to have a happy ending.
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated Precious You in Books
Aug 3, 2020
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Wi7amb">Wishlist</a>; | <a
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/diaryofdifference/pins/">Pinterest</a>;
<img src="https://diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Book-Review-Banner-69.png"/>;
I am extremely happy and excited to be part of the blog tour for Precious You by Helen Monks Takhar. Thank you to the team at HQ - for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. Check out the other book bloggers that are part of the tour as well:Â
<img src="https://diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PreciousYou-btb.jpg"/>;
<b><i>Synopsis:</i></b>
When Lily is hired as the new intern at Leadership magazine, where Katherine is editor-in-chief, her arrival threatens the very foundations of the self-serving little world that Katherine has built. But before long, she finds herself obsessively drawn to Lily, who seems to be a cruel reminder of the beauty and potential Katherine once had, things she senses Lily plans to use against her.
Is Katherine simply paranoid, jealous of Lily's youth as she struggles with encroaching middle age? Is Lily just trying to get ahead in the cutthroat world of publishing? Or is there a more sinister motivation at play, fueled by the dark secrets they're both hiding? As their rivalry deepens, a disturbing picture emerges of two women pitted against each other across a toxic generational divide--and who are desperate enough to do anything to come out on top.
<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b>
Wow - what an experience this book was. I havenât read a book this fucked-up (in the best possible way) since I read Anonymous Girl and The Silent Patient. Just wow.Â
Okay, now that I have gathered my thoughts, letâs begin this review properly.Â
Precious You is a very exciting book, looking from a psychological aspect. We witness the battle between a âSnowflakeâ and a Generation-X. The battle of two women; one trying to conquer the world, the other one trying to stay relevant.Â
Both Katherine and Lily were very realistic characters. Both with opposing opinions on the world. And both with two completely different goals. Both fighting over power in every possible field that they share in common. But what I love the most is that I was able to understand both points of view. I found myself feeling for both of them, even though sometimes I couldnât in my right mind understand their choices and their actions.Â
<b><i>But they both spoke to me.</i></b>
Each in their different way, for a different thing. And this is something I havenât encountered in a long time. To be able to connect with both the victim and the villain. Despite us not knowing which is which until the very end of the book.
The other aspect I loved was the cat and mouse game they were playing. I havenât seen a book so upsetting and twisted in a very long time. And I really loved it. Some things those women did are properly twisted. Really fucked-up. But I enjoyed reading it. It took me to another world, another reality where dark and twisted was the new normal. Â
It was interesting to witness such a vivid battle between two generations. The fear of new young people invading peopleâs space. The fight to get to the top, because of the people that have been at your workplace longer and have more knowledge. The wicked ways of how HR handled their issues. How your interns and your team can quickly turn on you if you stop delivering. It was interesting to read how the magazine worked as a company. I think the author did a great job at describing how one reality works.
I definitely recommend it - it is fast paced and very dark and twisty. If you love psychological thrillers, this one will be the right book for you!
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Wi7amb">Wishlist</a>; | <a
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/diaryofdifference/pins/">Pinterest</a>;
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/diaryofdifference/pins/">Pinterest</a>;
<img src="https://diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Book-Review-Banner-69.png"/>;
I am extremely happy and excited to be part of the blog tour for Precious You by Helen Monks Takhar. Thank you to the team at HQ - for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. Check out the other book bloggers that are part of the tour as well:Â
<img src="https://diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PreciousYou-btb.jpg"/>;
<b><i>Synopsis:</i></b>
When Lily is hired as the new intern at Leadership magazine, where Katherine is editor-in-chief, her arrival threatens the very foundations of the self-serving little world that Katherine has built. But before long, she finds herself obsessively drawn to Lily, who seems to be a cruel reminder of the beauty and potential Katherine once had, things she senses Lily plans to use against her.
Is Katherine simply paranoid, jealous of Lily's youth as she struggles with encroaching middle age? Is Lily just trying to get ahead in the cutthroat world of publishing? Or is there a more sinister motivation at play, fueled by the dark secrets they're both hiding? As their rivalry deepens, a disturbing picture emerges of two women pitted against each other across a toxic generational divide--and who are desperate enough to do anything to come out on top.
<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b>
Wow - what an experience this book was. I havenât read a book this fucked-up (in the best possible way) since I read Anonymous Girl and The Silent Patient. Just wow.Â
Okay, now that I have gathered my thoughts, letâs begin this review properly.Â
Precious You is a very exciting book, looking from a psychological aspect. We witness the battle between a âSnowflakeâ and a Generation-X. The battle of two women; one trying to conquer the world, the other one trying to stay relevant.Â
Both Katherine and Lily were very realistic characters. Both with opposing opinions on the world. And both with two completely different goals. Both fighting over power in every possible field that they share in common. But what I love the most is that I was able to understand both points of view. I found myself feeling for both of them, even though sometimes I couldnât in my right mind understand their choices and their actions.Â
<b><i>But they both spoke to me.</i></b>
Each in their different way, for a different thing. And this is something I havenât encountered in a long time. To be able to connect with both the victim and the villain. Despite us not knowing which is which until the very end of the book.
The other aspect I loved was the cat and mouse game they were playing. I havenât seen a book so upsetting and twisted in a very long time. And I really loved it. Some things those women did are properly twisted. Really fucked-up. But I enjoyed reading it. It took me to another world, another reality where dark and twisted was the new normal. Â
It was interesting to witness such a vivid battle between two generations. The fear of new young people invading peopleâs space. The fight to get to the top, because of the people that have been at your workplace longer and have more knowledge. The wicked ways of how HR handled their issues. How your interns and your team can quickly turn on you if you stop delivering. It was interesting to read how the magazine worked as a company. I think the author did a great job at describing how one reality works.
I definitely recommend it - it is fast paced and very dark and twisty. If you love psychological thrillers, this one will be the right book for you!
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Wi7amb">Wishlist</a>; | <a
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/diaryofdifference/pins/">Pinterest</a>;
Connor Sheffield (293 KP) rated The Raven (2012) in Movies
Apr 27, 2017
A brilliant crime thriller (4 more)
Gory
Connections to the work of Edgar Allan Poe
Great Cast
Watchable over and over again
Would love to know what happens in the end (1 more)
Not as exhilirating after the first watch
Quote the Raven, Nevermore.
First of all let me say this;
I am a poet and a writer, and my biggest inspiration as a writer has always been Edgar Allan Poe. I love the gothic horror, the tragedy, the macabre, and everything that makes Edgar Allan Poe the legend he is today.
With that said, let me tell you why I love this movie. It involves connections to some of Poe's greatest work, and not his poetry necessarily, it's actually more about his stories. Telltale Heart, Pit and the Pendulum and others that are all combined into the twisted mind of our antagonist who uses these stories to commit his crimes and leave evidence behind that only Poe himself would be able to figure out.
It's a brilliant crime thriller that delves into the mind of someone who is essentially Poe's biggest fan, but in a very dark and twisted way that gives us a fictional story about what happened during Poe's last days before he was found dead on a park bench. It's a known fact that Poe's last days remain a mystery and so this film had the opportunity to really play with some great ideas and they were executed brilliantly.
Speaking of execution this film is very grim and gory. One scene involving the story of The Pit and the Pendulum has us watch as a Pendulum drops lower and lower before slicing through a man's stomach like a warm knife through butter. It doesn't leave a lot to the imagination which gives this film some charm and makes it stand out from the rest of the Poe Film adaptations.
John Cusack plays the lengend himself, Edgar Allan Poe and brings a very interesting performance, that seems to suggest Poe thought himself as a higher intelligence to those around him, and he isn't shy to announce it.
Sharing the screen with Cusack, includes names such as Luke Evans who portrays Detective Fields, the detective I mentioned earlier that seeks Poe's assistance in the murder case. Brendan Gleeson portrays a very protective father named Charles Hamilton, who despises Poe being anywhere near his daughter Emily Hamilton, portrayed by Alice Eve. However there differences are put aside as the hunt for the missing Emily continues.
The story transitions well from scene to scene and story to story as each clue leads to the next, and eventually we discover the culprit who I shall not name here because I wish to leave the tension and suspense for you as you watch this film.
I am a poet and a writer, and my biggest inspiration as a writer has always been Edgar Allan Poe. I love the gothic horror, the tragedy, the macabre, and everything that makes Edgar Allan Poe the legend he is today.
With that said, let me tell you why I love this movie. It involves connections to some of Poe's greatest work, and not his poetry necessarily, it's actually more about his stories. Telltale Heart, Pit and the Pendulum and others that are all combined into the twisted mind of our antagonist who uses these stories to commit his crimes and leave evidence behind that only Poe himself would be able to figure out.
It's a brilliant crime thriller that delves into the mind of someone who is essentially Poe's biggest fan, but in a very dark and twisted way that gives us a fictional story about what happened during Poe's last days before he was found dead on a park bench. It's a known fact that Poe's last days remain a mystery and so this film had the opportunity to really play with some great ideas and they were executed brilliantly.
Speaking of execution this film is very grim and gory. One scene involving the story of The Pit and the Pendulum has us watch as a Pendulum drops lower and lower before slicing through a man's stomach like a warm knife through butter. It doesn't leave a lot to the imagination which gives this film some charm and makes it stand out from the rest of the Poe Film adaptations.
John Cusack plays the lengend himself, Edgar Allan Poe and brings a very interesting performance, that seems to suggest Poe thought himself as a higher intelligence to those around him, and he isn't shy to announce it.
Sharing the screen with Cusack, includes names such as Luke Evans who portrays Detective Fields, the detective I mentioned earlier that seeks Poe's assistance in the murder case. Brendan Gleeson portrays a very protective father named Charles Hamilton, who despises Poe being anywhere near his daughter Emily Hamilton, portrayed by Alice Eve. However there differences are put aside as the hunt for the missing Emily continues.
The story transitions well from scene to scene and story to story as each clue leads to the next, and eventually we discover the culprit who I shall not name here because I wish to leave the tension and suspense for you as you watch this film.
