maryam
1.5 stars. While reading, I found the protagonist to be somewhat annoying, especially during about 20% of the book, where it felt like she kept rambling, becoming repetitive and somewhat boring. I had difficulty empathizing with her anxiety. I must admit, I questioned why she was chosen for the role of a therapist as she seemed somewhat unfit for it. The story began on a strong note, but unfortunately, it became somewhat unbearable due to its predictability. In my opinion, this book is one that can be easily skipped, as it took me quite a long time to finish it.
This book initially captivated me with its immersive atmosphere. The serene description of the house situated by the drop, inhabited by a family of four, set the domestic scene. The first major event triggered an intense back-and-forth with the police, keeping me on the edge of my seat, questioning who was responsible and unfolding the tense situation.
However, I must admit that after reaching 60% of the book, it began to feel repetitive and monotonous, losing its initial allure. In my opinion, it could have easily been shortened by at least 25 pages without compromising the story.
The ending took me by surprise as one of the characters acted in direct contradiction to their previous behavior throughout the book. This decision to abruptly kill them off left me puzzled. Perhaps this character had been silently grappling with mental health issues all along, successfully masking them from others. It was an intriguing twist, leaving me with questions and speculation.
Overall, as a first read from this author, I did enjoy it, despite the shortcomings I mentioned earlier.
this book totally takes me back to the exciting world of Bollywood thrillers from the 2000s. The level of drama in this book is off the charts! It's like a wild rollercoaster ride, one intense moment after another, leaving me speechless and completely puzzled. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at some of the delightfully crazy scenes. Who doesn't enjoy a little bit of delightful craziness, right?
A harrowing story which highlights follow the herd mentality. The end had me spiralling. To ‘respect' the old traditions, the younger generations are expected to observe many rituals. So what if they suffer from the consequences of some outdated tradition in the name of honour, custom, formality, habit and so on? Everyone in the past did it too.
4.25/5. I don't know why, but after reading this book, I'm feeling a whole lot of “eww.”
The book was enjoyable overall, but I found the ending to be confusing. One of the characters, who was involved in another person's plan and helped carry it out, managed to avoid any consequences. This inconsistency left me feeling puzzled in a negative way. I would have liked it more if this character had faced the same outcome as the main mastermind. To be honest, I didn't expect this and found it illogical. However, there were a few plot twists that were well done, although I can't discuss them further without giving away spoilers. On another note, I was disappointed with how the wife's character was portrayed as a helpless damsel in distress, rather than as someone dealing with postpartum depression. In my opinion, her character lacked proper development and depth.
Daisy Darker is a remarkably dark and thought-provoking book that explores the depths of darkness in the most profound ways. It unfolds as a slow burn, occasionally venturing into eerie and unsettling territories, all within the backdrop of a captivating tidal island. The vibrant scenery near Sea Glass and the intricately crafted characters left me yearning for more, completely engrossed in their world. The narration was a true delight, compelling me to savor each and every word as I immersed myself in the story's depths. There was one particular scene that I found deeply unsettling and unforgettable—the description of the eyes visible from the cupboard—it left a strong impact on me. Throughout the book, I was thoroughly engrossed, my anticipation building with each turn of the page. As someone who prides themselves on predicting outcomes in thrillers, I was astounded when this story took unexpected turns, leaving me in awe of its cleverness and unpredictability. The revelation of the culprit and the motives behind their actions gave me pause, serving as a chilling reminder of the darker aspects of human nature. The haunting descriptions throughout the book have left a lasting impression, evoking a sense of unease and introspection. Just when I thought the story had reached its conclusion, there was another reveal, taking me on an emotionally intense journey. While some may find aspects of the story unrealistic, I find solace in losing myself within the intricate web of a well-crafted mystery. This particular book held a special place in my heart as it continuously surprised me with its shocking twists and turns. I was left astounded that I couldn't anticipate any of them. The quote, “some people are ghosts even before they're dead,” resonates deeply and encapsulates the book's underlying theme. It serves as a profound reminder of how humans yearn for validation and love, not necessarily from those closest to us, but from anyone who truly sees and hears our stories. Indeed, some stories can only be revealed with the passage of time. Daisy Darker, a book I immersed myself in for over a week, left me with a lasting impression, a testament to the profound lessons it imparted.
I fail to comprehend the purpose behind this book. It introduces a bunch of characters, but the explanation it provides is shallow. Many side characters come and go in the story without serving any real purpose. They appear briefly in a few chapters and then vanish without contributing much to the plot. I did manage to finish it quickly, but not because I enjoyed it. I just wanted to be done with it. ☹️
Ah, my newly discovered literary treasure! It's disheartening to see how these stories still resonate in our present era. Each story features patriarchal princes, whose actions reflect the prevailing norms and power dynamics of their time. Sadly, we still witness similar attitudes in certain corners of Pakistani society, where women are perceived as possessions or objects to be controlled. Those who continue to believe in women's inferiority are misguided, unaware of the progress we should be embracing.
I wonder if there will ever be an opportunity for me to read a romance novel that is both sensible and free from triggering content. ☹️
This book is full of amazing anecdotes, life lessons and affirmations loosely tied together in four sections. It is not like you will be completely unaware of the contents of this book. That is the unique thing about it. The way its content is laid out is so comforting, reassuring and motivating at the same time, you will feel like you've entered uncharted territory. This book doesn't talk in a way to make you feel overwhelmed or make you feel like everything you do is wrong or inadequate. It teaches kindness, forgiveness and metamorphosing. The everyday reaffirming advice you wish you got is finally here. Five-star worthy devourable stuff right here.
I seem to have somehow lost the review I posted here after reading it, as it's no longer on Goodreads. Nevertheless, I consider it my favorite due to its gripping depiction of eerie settings and masterful plot twists. As the story unfolds, old conflicts resurface, building tension that culminates in a shocking and tragic event. The novel skillfully intertwines suspense through multiple perspectives, creating a captivating narrative. The portrayal of the island was both peaceful and unsettling, evoking a sense of mystery. While a few sensitive themes were incorporated into the story, the conclusion was flawlessly executed. Moreover, I believe that Jodie Comer from “Killing Eve” would be an excellent fit for the role of Jules if the book were ever adapted into a movie.
The beginning of the book was promising, but after the will was revealed, I found the world-building to be somewhat dull. The atmospheric setting could have been crafted more effectively with the use of words. However, the book managed to regain my interest towards the end by introducing more intriguing puzzles. This made me realize that it lacked the quantity of puzzles I had anticipated. I longed for additional dark and atmospheric depictions of the property and its libraries. The scenes were too brief and left me wanting more, but not in an exciting manner. I certainly desired more descriptive details.
Her writing is like a magical potion that zaps you out of any reading slump! It's like soaring through a wonderland of richly crafted characters and vivid scenes. You'll never want to stop flipping those pages! I did my research, peeked at the reviews before diving in, and guess what? Against popular belief, I absolutely adored the ending! It was like sprinkling stardust on the whole story, making it a solid 5-star read for me. And guess what? There's a tiny flicker of hope that we might get a delightful spin-off or maybe even another book in the future! How exciting is that?
What can I even say about this amazing five-star read? I'm a big fan of this author NOW! From the trigger warning at the beginning to the beautiful way she writes, she has created a piece with a lot of attention to detail. There is never a dull moment in this book. You want to read it from the first scene to the last sentence.
The whole story reflects the reality of many people of color. I've personally experienced racism because of being brown in different countries, and this book speaks to people like us. It's important to speak out against the violence that people of color face. Racism is still a big problem in white societies. The author handles this difficult topic in a great way. I can't wait to read more from her!
Well, that ending was a real letdown. I can't help but wonder why I enjoyed the first 75% of the book when the atmosphere was so well-described and believable. I mean, the author really nailed it there. And let's not forget the amusing banter between Olive and Ethan, which had me laughing out loud at times.
But seriously, I just can't believe Olive made the choice she did. After all her thoughtfulness for her sister, I wish she had shown some independent thinking for herself. It's a shame because the story was actually pretty good, but I can't help feeling sad about the ending.
I've decided to give this book a three-star rating now. I'm just tired of reading about female characters who make dumb and desperate decisions when it comes to their own well-being. It's disappointing to see this recurring theme. While the book has its good points, this aspect has left me feeling frustrated and less satisfied with the overall reading experience.
The beginning of this book seemed unrealistic and generic as other self help books are. One sentence in the book was rather eye opening.
Being a practising artist it's difficult not to think about selling work. In the midst of it all you lose sense of achievement and progressing in your profession. To do it better quickly, you do it worse. However, when the author talked about how artists have no retirement age. That stayed with me. My profession actually allows freedom from the rat race. My life doesn't end at 60.
I am free to be me until the end of me.
The book shed light on the atrocities committed by humans seeking power, particularly the harrowing events that took place in the camps. Such cruelty is something no one should ever have to endure, regardless of the circumstances. The fate of the oppressed, as described in the book, was presented in a critical yet gruesome manner, leaving a lasting impression and sending shivers down my spine. It serves as a poignant reminder of the darker aspects of our history and the importance of learning from our past to create a better future for all.
While I found it thought-provoking and informative, I must admit that the epilogue left me feeling upset. It delved into the establishment of a state of Israel, a historical event that we know was marred by suffering and oppression. All I have to say is It's disheartening to see that those who were once oppressed have, in turn, become the oppressors. Sigh!
This book was indeed a devourable mystery. It took me back to my R. L. Stines' thriller reading days. Just like his books the narrative was full of twists and turns, chills and thrills and multiple surprises at the end. I enjoyed reading this more than One of Us is Lying. hehe.