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gabs_myfullbookshelf's review
2.0
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So, I'll admit that the Confidant wasn't what I was expecting. First, I had no idea that this was quite so short. It was a bit of a surprise. Also, it had some of the problems that are more prevalent in shorter books. So that was also not all that fun.
Problem #1: The whirl-wind plot. You can only fit so much into 64 pages. The amount of plot twists and action-y scenes that were in here could have properly filled a 200 page book, but in here they seemed to be crammed together. Perhaps I could have been a little more forgiving if more time had passed between the events, but they happened not only one page after another but one minute after another. There were arrests, there were shootings, there was a lot of sneaking around and hiding, and there were rescues. It was like bookish sensory overload.
Problem #2: The characters. It took me a while to figure out exactly what was going on with Emma and her mom in the first place, which is definitely a problem. I really never got a very firm idea of their backstory. There were a lot of characters thrown into this book, many of whom could have been developed so much better than they were. George, for example. The main character, Emma. I never really identified with her or got to know her.
Problem #3: The ending. It just kind of cut off! It didn't help that it was rushed--as soon as everything was turning out all right, we got about a paragraph of what happened next and an assurance that Emma's dad would be proud of his family. The end. It didn't feel like a smooth finish at all.
Problem #4: this time period. My main purpose for picking up this book was that I wanted to learn more about this period of time; we only briefly touched on it in my US History class, and I forgot all the details. But the events that are happening in this book during the time are never explained in great detail, and it caused some confusion for me! This isn't one of those time periods that everyone knows in great detail; I don't think I'm the only one who will be unsatisfied with the background this book gives.
The Confidant seems like it would be better suited as a bit longer of a story; all of the problems I listed could be fixed if more information was added to the story. This book had promise, but it let me down.
So, I'll admit that the Confidant wasn't what I was expecting. First, I had no idea that this was quite so short. It was a bit of a surprise. Also, it had some of the problems that are more prevalent in shorter books. So that was also not all that fun.
Problem #1: The whirl-wind plot. You can only fit so much into 64 pages. The amount of plot twists and action-y scenes that were in here could have properly filled a 200 page book, but in here they seemed to be crammed together. Perhaps I could have been a little more forgiving if more time had passed between the events, but they happened not only one page after another but one minute after another. There were arrests, there were shootings, there was a lot of sneaking around and hiding, and there were rescues. It was like bookish sensory overload.
Problem #2: The characters. It took me a while to figure out exactly what was going on with Emma and her mom in the first place, which is definitely a problem. I really never got a very firm idea of their backstory. There were a lot of characters thrown into this book, many of whom could have been developed so much better than they were. George, for example. The main character, Emma. I never really identified with her or got to know her.
Problem #3: The ending. It just kind of cut off! It didn't help that it was rushed--as soon as everything was turning out all right, we got about a paragraph of what happened next and an assurance that Emma's dad would be proud of his family. The end. It didn't feel like a smooth finish at all.
Problem #4: this time period. My main purpose for picking up this book was that I wanted to learn more about this period of time; we only briefly touched on it in my US History class, and I forgot all the details. But the events that are happening in this book during the time are never explained in great detail, and it caused some confusion for me! This isn't one of those time periods that everyone knows in great detail; I don't think I'm the only one who will be unsatisfied with the background this book gives.
The Confidant seems like it would be better suited as a bit longer of a story; all of the problems I listed could be fixed if more information was added to the story. This book had promise, but it let me down.
beamasalunga's review
3.0
ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, thank you NetGalley for this copy. Honestly, I requested this book without reading the summary. I'm guilty for picking this book based on the cover. Sorry. It sort of gave me an impression of historical fiction. I rarely read a book belonging in that genre.
I was surprised that this is inspired in Philippine History. I remembered when I was in grade school and high school we used to study this and I tried recalling some of it. As far as I remembered (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) from our Philippine history, some Filipinos suffered in the hands of the Japanese people, especially when you belong to a guerrilla. Some women were raped, some children were abused. It's really scary. Americans wants to stop their ruling and take over the Philippines. so they were in some sort of war. I think Filipinos participated in it too because they have the same goals as the Americans.
The story is pretty interesting by the way, I didn't have a hard time getting into it. Nostalgic hits me, I miss history class. Haha. This is a cliffhanger and I would love to read the rest of the anthology. Since it's too short, I'm kinda lost what's their real agenda. (Aside ending the Japanese regime in the Philippines and start the American regime) Codes and et cetera, what about the locket and all. It bored me a bit. However, the cover doesn't match on the story. YES the main character came from the club but this is about war, and adventure not a Moulin Rouge (just being honest.).
First of all, thank you NetGalley for this copy. Honestly, I requested this book without reading the summary. I'm guilty for picking this book based on the cover. Sorry. It sort of gave me an impression of historical fiction. I rarely read a book belonging in that genre.
I was surprised that this is inspired in Philippine History. I remembered when I was in grade school and high school we used to study this and I tried recalling some of it. As far as I remembered (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) from our Philippine history, some Filipinos suffered in the hands of the Japanese people, especially when you belong to a guerrilla. Some women were raped, some children were abused. It's really scary. Americans wants to stop their ruling and take over the Philippines. so they were in some sort of war. I think Filipinos participated in it too because they have the same goals as the Americans.
The story is pretty interesting by the way, I didn't have a hard time getting into it. Nostalgic hits me, I miss history class. Haha. This is a cliffhanger and I would love to read the rest of the anthology. Since it's too short, I'm kinda lost what's their real agenda. (Aside ending the Japanese regime in the Philippines and start the American regime) Codes and et cetera, what about the locket and all. It bored me a bit. However, the cover doesn't match on the story. YES the main character came from the club but this is about war, and adventure not a Moulin Rouge (just being honest.).
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