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bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
Some good twists and turns to this one, but I didn't think the writing was stellar, from a technical standpoint. It's page-turning, but I didn't find it particularly lyrical or well-constructed. Still, as far as solid entertainment goes, I did enjoy this one.
lisbethssalamander's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kberry513's review against another edition
4.0
Major spoilers ahead!
This was an excellent thriller. There were a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming - all the way up until the end. I have to say that there were points in the middle that I was thinking to myself "Really? This had such promise and now there's a curse and it's going to be all down to a curse? Disappointing." The addition of Laura's ghosts was also something that I was a bit let down by - not because I don't like sci fi or fantasy (because I very much do) but because it felt like the story didn't need it and the curse was a cop out, instead of coming up with something real. I kept reading, though, because I was still intrigued enough to want to know the truth about what went down in the house. And I was extremely gratified to find that everything had an explanation and one that wasn't far-fetched. Instead, the author managed to weave together a complicated, thrilling, and terrifying tale and each time a new puzzle piece fell into place, it made more and more sense. Before the end, there were a few pieces that fit but felt incomplete, but then another twist would come along and make even more sense. For example, the story Daniel told Edward of what went down in the house didn't totally fit his character to me - that he went along with what the Dragos wanted and fled - and when the epilogue revealed he switched it up so that Laura didn't look bad, it clicked. Similarly, that made the reason Laura left him and went a bit kooky made more sense - she loathed herself and it drove her insane. Finally, the big shocking twist at the end that it wasn't Alina who killed Jake, but Laura herself because she didn't want anyone to know of her shame, while horrifying and awful, made more sense than Alina doing it herself. At that point, she would have been way too focused on getting to Gabor than to kill someone who wasn't even involved. Every little piece fell into place by the end, although the author left it open ended as to whether or not Daniel would find out the truth.
The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I personally like my thrillers to have more of an uplifting ending (no matter how dark they get in the middle).
This was an excellent thriller. There were a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming - all the way up until the end. I have to say that there were points in the middle that I was thinking to myself "Really? This had such promise and now there's a curse and it's going to be all down to a curse? Disappointing." The addition of Laura's ghosts was also something that I was a bit let down by - not because I don't like sci fi or fantasy (because I very much do) but because it felt like the story didn't need it and the curse was a cop out, instead of coming up with something real. I kept reading, though, because I was still intrigued enough to want to know the truth about what went down in the house. And I was extremely gratified to find that everything had an explanation and one that wasn't far-fetched. Instead, the author managed to weave together a complicated, thrilling, and terrifying tale and each time a new puzzle piece fell into place, it made more and more sense. Before the end, there were a few pieces that fit but felt incomplete, but then another twist would come along and make even more sense. For example, the story Daniel told Edward of what went down in the house didn't totally fit his character to me - that he went along with what the Dragos wanted and fled - and when the epilogue revealed he switched it up so that Laura didn't look bad, it clicked. Similarly, that made the reason Laura left him and went a bit kooky made more sense - she loathed herself and it drove her insane. Finally, the big shocking twist at the end that it wasn't Alina who killed Jake, but Laura herself because she didn't want anyone to know of her shame, while horrifying and awful, made more sense than Alina doing it herself. At that point, she would have been way too focused on getting to Gabor than to kill someone who wasn't even involved. Every little piece fell into place by the end, although the author left it open ended as to whether or not Daniel would find out the truth.
The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I personally like my thrillers to have more of an uplifting ending (no matter how dark they get in the middle).
mrsbear's review against another edition
4.0
What the Heck Happened? I was really loving this book. The cliffhangers at the end of each chapter actually had me holding my breath in suspense. I lost some much needed sleep last night to get to the end of this book. And get to the end I did.
I am sad to say that the ending was such a disappointment. For me it left unanswered questions. And I have to add that once the "horrible events" were revealed they were not very believable and yes, I am still scratching my head thinking WTH?
I absolutely loved how the book was written. The author really has a way of pulling you in and holding you just where he wants you. You know you have to sleep but you just can't put the book down, you have to find out what happens next. Excellently written, good story that just did not have me believing it as it went on.
If you like hold your breath thrillers, give this a read. I certainly will read this author again.
I am sad to say that the ending was such a disappointment. For me it left unanswered questions. And I have to add that once the "horrible events" were revealed they were not very believable and yes, I am still scratching my head thinking WTH?
I absolutely loved how the book was written. The author really has a way of pulling you in and holding you just where he wants you. You know you have to sleep but you just can't put the book down, you have to find out what happens next. Excellently written, good story that just did not have me believing it as it went on.
If you like hold your breath thrillers, give this a read. I certainly will read this author again.
flintsloveofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Very creepy. I just wish it has been something [redacted] instead of [redacted]. They’re always the worst.
saturnxaliax's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
remile's review against another edition
2.0
The plot is too complicated to be enjoyable or realistic. (multiple unrelated coinciding schemes on a lonely train shouldn't be used to build up a plot!). Nor was there any need to hide the info from the reader that long (what happened in the house), really frustrating.
Kind of hoped that characters in their 30s would be more sophisticated than what we saw from the couple in The Magpies. Even the detective, he puts way too much trust in his client. While of course these impulsive players solve mysteries on fly, and during the heat of action explain plot points left uncomprehended.
Gave it 2 because at least the first half seemed promising, and the Prologue explained the underlying psychology that I really should have guessed.
Kind of hoped that characters in their 30s would be more sophisticated than what we saw from the couple in The Magpies. Even the detective, he puts way too much trust in his client. While of course these impulsive players solve mysteries on fly, and during the heat of action explain plot points left uncomprehended.
Gave it 2 because at least the first half seemed promising, and the Prologue explained the underlying psychology that I really should have guessed.
rhidee's review against another edition
4.0
Thrilling read
Gripping as you try to figure out exactly what happened in the forest, and interesting ending. There is a bit of gratuitous explicit sex which doesn't add anything to the story, particularly odd as other instances which do add something are less explicit.
Gripping as you try to figure out exactly what happened in the forest, and interesting ending. There is a bit of gratuitous explicit sex which doesn't add anything to the story, particularly odd as other instances which do add something are less explicit.
cpcromer13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0