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kayper_3's review
4.0
This novella had me waking up from my sleep so I could finish once I started!
I questioned the credibility of the FMC from time to time but I actually loved the way the author wrote her. Her “ability” would have freaked me out and the fact that I wasn’t sure if we were dealing with delusions, ghosts, aliens?! Yeah I didn’t piece it all together until the end and big reveal, but I could speculate. The pacing of the story was great and had me trying to get to the end so I could find out the truth… like I said, waking up in the middle of the night because I HAD to know!
This would’ve been a 5 star if there was more time spent on the FMC’s and her daugther’s “trait” but I feel like that would’ve taken away from the novella aspect. But overall the story was great and would love to see more from the author in the future.
I questioned the credibility of the FMC from time to time but I actually loved the way the author wrote her. Her “ability” would have freaked me out and the fact that I wasn’t sure if we were dealing with delusions, ghosts, aliens?! Yeah I didn’t piece it all together until the end and big reveal, but I could speculate. The pacing of the story was great and had me trying to get to the end so I could find out the truth… like I said, waking up in the middle of the night because I HAD to know!
This would’ve been a 5 star if there was more time spent on the FMC’s and her daugther’s “trait” but I feel like that would’ve taken away from the novella aspect. But overall the story was great and would love to see more from the author in the future.
katiebella_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5⭐️
Fin can see when other people lie. Little black bubbles appear near their mouth. She doesn't tell people. The last time she did, they had her committed. She doesn't want to go back. She doesn't even remember what happened there. She has a bad habit of blocking bad events from memory.
Things are going bad again. She is having horrible waking nightmares. The only way to figure out what happened is to remember.
My Thoughts
The book has a lot of cliche plot points.
It takes place in LA, where everyone is an actor or an aspiring actor. Even her own daughter takes acting classes. Of course, it would be LA. The city of lies. 🙄
Her husband is an abusive drunk, having an affair with a younger version of herself. 😒
Her mother mysteriously disappeared, complete with a found diary. 😕
The author really seems to have a derogatory image of men. Coupled with a very weak outlook for women in the world. It's a man's world, powerful men pray on females, break their will and spirit, Yada Yada Yada. Every male in this book is a horrible person. At least our FMC has a job and can take care of herself.
The author gives a lot of unimpressed details throughout the story. At times, the urge to skim was hard to avoid, and I felt myself forcing my way through. It's already a shot book, but it still could have used an edit down. Yawning at such a short tale shouldn't be part of the reading experience.
If you're going to enjoy the story, try not to pay attention to the day heading at the top of each chapter. I don't know how to explain it properly, but it does not add up. A minor plot hole since it is just chapter headings.
Overall, I found it kinda over the top. The writing wasn't anything profound. The characters don't drag you in. The story is neither horror nor thriller. Sorta an in-between who done it, with a supernatural twist. The author showed some promise, but this book was a miss for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Fin can see when other people lie. Little black bubbles appear near their mouth. She doesn't tell people. The last time she did, they had her committed. She doesn't want to go back. She doesn't even remember what happened there. She has a bad habit of blocking bad events from memory.
Things are going bad again. She is having horrible waking nightmares. The only way to figure out what happened is to remember.
My Thoughts
The book has a lot of cliche plot points.
It takes place in LA, where everyone is an actor or an aspiring actor. Even her own daughter takes acting classes. Of course, it would be LA. The city of lies. 🙄
Her husband is an abusive drunk, having an affair with a younger version of herself. 😒
Her mother mysteriously disappeared, complete with a found diary. 😕
The author really seems to have a derogatory image of men. Coupled with a very weak outlook for women in the world. It's a man's world, powerful men pray on females, break their will and spirit, Yada Yada Yada. Every male in this book is a horrible person. At least our FMC has a job and can take care of herself.
The author gives a lot of unimpressed details throughout the story. At times, the urge to skim was hard to avoid, and I felt myself forcing my way through. It's already a shot book, but it still could have used an edit down. Yawning at such a short tale shouldn't be part of the reading experience.
If you're going to enjoy the story, try not to pay attention to the day heading at the top of each chapter. I don't know how to explain it properly, but it does not add up. A minor plot hole since it is just chapter headings.
Overall, I found it kinda over the top. The writing wasn't anything profound. The characters don't drag you in. The story is neither horror nor thriller. Sorta an in-between who done it, with a supernatural twist. The author showed some promise, but this book was a miss for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
ghiblireads's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was a great novella! In it we follow Finley who can see when people lie - her reality is crumbling and she is being haunted by disturbing hallucinations. Will she be able to uncover the truth of her mother’s disappearance?
The writing was really good and I highlighted a lot of amazing quotes. This book deals a lot with what it means to be a woman in a mans world and it was so disturbingly true. Fin is such a good, strong female character and I loved following her! The concept of being able to see when someone is lying is really cool and interesting - it added a little twist to the story. The supernatural elements were creepy and the fast paced made this quite the page turner. I feel like because it was quite short, I felt a little lost at times and I wanted more context on some things. Overall though it was a really unique and easy to read novella.
I would definitely recommend this to fans of horror novellas and stories of female characters getting revenge. It reminded me a little of Simone St James - especially the novella Ghost 19!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writing was really good and I highlighted a lot of amazing quotes. This book deals a lot with what it means to be a woman in a mans world and it was so disturbingly true. Fin is such a good, strong female character and I loved following her! The concept of being able to see when someone is lying is really cool and interesting - it added a little twist to the story. The supernatural elements were creepy and the fast paced made this quite the page turner. I feel like because it was quite short, I felt a little lost at times and I wanted more context on some things. Overall though it was a really unique and easy to read novella.
I would definitely recommend this to fans of horror novellas and stories of female characters getting revenge. It reminded me a little of Simone St James - especially the novella Ghost 19!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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