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hijinxed's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
veganheathen's review
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I really don't understand how this book is marketed as horror. It certainly wasn't "chilling" as the description says. It was more of a story about people who experienced abuse and trauma and some have mental illnesses. No one was really getting any treatment for this or realized their issues and so everyone got worse. This book was so long, too. I kept thinking it would all come together in the end and I would rethink some of what I'd read with new perspective, but nope. The end just sort of meandered like the rest of the book, just more so. It was like the author wasn't sure how he wanted to wrap things up so he came almost close to an idea and then scrapped it and moved on to the next idea. Rinse and repeat. I don't mind when books leave the ending open to interpretation, but there is a certain way that can be done well and this isn't it. I mostly feel annoyed that I read this whole book and nothing really happened and there was no payoff.
suvata's review
4.0
I thought Ill Will was very suspenseful and, at times, pretty creepy. I was well into the book before I really had a handle on the two murder investigations and how they related to each other. Not only did it keep me interested until the bitter end but it was quite the page-turner. I really had a hard time putting this one down. Thanks to NetGalley.com for the Advance Reader Copy of this one.
timna_wyckoff's review
4.0
This was so great......until the ending. The whole thing seemed wild and nearly out of control in such a good way, but in the end.....too much.
jilly7922's review
4.0
Dan Chaon is a well established author. He is the author of "Await Your Reply" and "Among The Missing." This book is about Dustin a psychologist who has a traumatic past. His family was murdered, and his older brother got convicted to life in prison for this crime. Years later it turns out that Rusty his brother got released from prison and his sentence overturned because DNA evidence proved him innocent. With Rusty getting out of prison and a new set of crimes of a possible serial killer comes present Dustin's life gets turned upside down.
Overall I rated this book four stars out of five. This was a well written story. The reason this book worked out so well was because the author was successful in writing about unlikable characters and still making this book an exciting, interesting story. I usually do have trouble reading and finishing books where the characters are unlikable. The author did a really good job in writing a story that covers a large time span because this book flowed and fit together well. The suspense in this book was thrilling, and once you get to the end you are in for a surprise. I have to say I usually do not choose books of this nature, it is not something I would pick first off a shelf. But I am so glad I read this because overall it was an excellent must read book.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Dan Chaon, and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
For more book reviews come and read my blog at http://turnthepagereviewsbyjill.blogspot.com
Overall I rated this book four stars out of five. This was a well written story. The reason this book worked out so well was because the author was successful in writing about unlikable characters and still making this book an exciting, interesting story. I usually do have trouble reading and finishing books where the characters are unlikable. The author did a really good job in writing a story that covers a large time span because this book flowed and fit together well. The suspense in this book was thrilling, and once you get to the end you are in for a surprise. I have to say I usually do not choose books of this nature, it is not something I would pick first off a shelf. But I am so glad I read this because overall it was an excellent must read book.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Dan Chaon, and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
For more book reviews come and read my blog at http://turnthepagereviewsbyjill.blogspot.com
labunnywtf's review
2.0
Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and balanced review.
Dammit to hell. This book has such promise. Such promise. It's the story of a gruesome murder committed in 1983, and a series of seemingly unrelated deaths in the present day. A psychologist, his family, and one of his patients are the main players. And you spend the entire book waiting for the other shoe to fall.
This book is in intense need of a good edit. And I'm not just talking about our main character, Dustin, and his half finished sentences and casual drifting off. The confusion and disjointedness actually works brilliantly for him, because his mind is clearly not all there.
But this confusion and lack of a simple bloody outline follows every single chapter, from the twin sisters to the son, Aaron.
I wanted very badly to follow along. I figured out immediately where the serial killer angle was going. I suspected the ending to the family story, but fell for a few red herrings along the way. The family storyline was more compelling, even if it was the D plot of the book. Much easier to follow along than the serial killer plot.
Which is also a damn shame, because this is an untapped idea. The falseness of the belief in Satanic cults has been touched upon in other books, and in much better ways. But a serial killer taking out drunk frat boys? It's absolutely perfect. Comparisons could be made to how prostitutes are the most common serial killer victims, because no one looks too closely at "high risk victims".
Such a massive playground to work with, and this is what came of it.
I am so disappointed.
Dammit to hell. This book has such promise. Such promise. It's the story of a gruesome murder committed in 1983, and a series of seemingly unrelated deaths in the present day. A psychologist, his family, and one of his patients are the main players. And you spend the entire book waiting for the other shoe to fall.
This book is in intense need of a good edit. And I'm not just talking about our main character, Dustin, and his half finished sentences and casual drifting off. The confusion and disjointedness actually works brilliantly for him, because his mind is clearly not all there.
But this confusion and lack of a simple bloody outline follows every single chapter, from the twin sisters to the son, Aaron.
I wanted very badly to follow along. I figured out immediately where the serial killer angle was going. I suspected the ending to the family story, but fell for a few red herrings along the way. The family storyline was more compelling, even if it was the D plot of the book. Much easier to follow along than the serial killer plot.
Which is also a damn shame, because this is an untapped idea. The falseness of the belief in Satanic cults has been touched upon in other books, and in much better ways. But a serial killer taking out drunk frat boys? It's absolutely perfect. Comparisons could be made to how prostitutes are the most common serial killer victims, because no one looks too closely at "high risk victims".
Such a massive playground to work with, and this is what came of it.
I am so disappointed.
alfsan's review
2.0
Just not my cup of tea.
*First, the bad:*
> There were many mysteries or plots within the main plot but none really took charge, twists or explanation.
> I felt it dragged for too long.
> The "twists" were really predictable and with no "Mystery" whatsoever
> The background provided on some of the characters was just all over and it felt more like a lack of direction rather than a literary approach
> The ending was a bit disappointing, more than I'd like to admit.
> The character development starts good, but then it kind of stops mid explanation of understanding. Felt like I was being guided in one direction along a maze but the guidance suddenly stopped and it just feels a bit lost.
*And now, the good:*
> It is creepy, the writing keep me at edge Sometimes, when it didn't feel the drag of the story
> Its prose evolves and it takes a more serious and literary approach towards the end, really liked that
> Interesting story, that has many subplots, but maybe too many too deep for its own benefit.
I would definitely wouldn't classify as terror, but more of a dready thriller.
As with any book, it's a Personal opinion, a personal journey. Each book is its own master and has its own set of disciples, i just really didn't feel a connection.
*First, the bad:*
> There were many mysteries or plots within the main plot but none really took charge, twists or explanation.
> I felt it dragged for too long.
> The "twists" were really predictable and with no "Mystery" whatsoever
> The background provided on some of the characters was just all over and it felt more like a lack of direction rather than a literary approach
> The ending was a bit disappointing, more than I'd like to admit.
> The character development starts good, but then it kind of stops mid explanation of understanding. Felt like I was being guided in one direction along a maze but the guidance suddenly stopped and it just feels a bit lost.
*And now, the good:*
> It is creepy, the writing keep me at edge Sometimes, when it didn't feel the drag of the story
> Its prose evolves and it takes a more serious and literary approach towards the end, really liked that
> Interesting story, that has many subplots, but maybe too many too deep for its own benefit.
I would definitely wouldn't classify as terror, but more of a dready thriller.
As with any book, it's a Personal opinion, a personal journey. Each book is its own master and has its own set of disciples, i just really didn't feel a connection.