Zero Days

Captivating Read

Ruth Ware has always been a go-to author for me – I stroll into Barnes & Noble, pick up her latest, glance at the blurb, and it's an instant addition to my reading list. I'm thrilled I picked up "Zero Days" and delved into it, although I do wish I hadn't taken so long to finish. Overall, it was a delightful read, and I'm eagerly anticipating her upcoming release, "The Perfect Couple."

The premise of "Zero Days" is refreshingly unique and had me hooked right from the start. The initial chapters, where Jack finds herself embroiled in a mysterious job under the guidance of Gabe, were particularly enthralling. Ruth Ware expertly crafts tension and intrigue during this phase, setting the stage for what's to come.

The story takes a dramatic turn when Jack returns home to find Gabe brutally murdered. The emotions conveyed in this pivotal moment are raw and powerful, effectively illustrating the upheaval in Jack's life. From here, the narrative takes on a thrilling pace as we follow Jack's frantic quest to prove her innocence while evading capture.

However, there are moments where the pacing falters, causing the story to feel sluggish and overly long. While some trimming could have enhanced the overall experience, Jack's unwavering determination to uncover the truth and clear her name remains a compelling aspect of her character, ensuring readers remain invested in her journey.

The conclusion of the book is a redeeming factor, neatly tying up loose ends and providing a satisfying resolution. The epilogue, in particular, offers a glimpse into Jack's future, leaving readers with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction for her hard-earned victories.

Really enjoyed the entire book, but (trying to be spoiler free) there was an extra happily ever after that they threw in at the end. I should have seen it coming, but it felt unnecessary and took away from the emotional growth of Jack. Just my opinion.

Oof a 2.5! On the plus side it was better than the The It Girl, sort of. I think The It Girl had a better plot, but was way too long which I think is a running theme for her books. She's not as dense as Stephen King but her writing can get pretty repetitive. In this book, atleast 70% of the book was spent in Jack's head with no clear action or plan. The real villain in this book is the paper thin plot. Nothing really happens. For a rather interesting premise, you would think there would be a lot of action and mystery. Well we get none of that. I believe Ruth Ware's strengths lie in her prose and themes - every book has very interesting themes. She's also pretty good in creating an ambiance a la Turn of the Key. I'm just not sure what she wants her readers to take away at the end. With this book and even with One by One, you can see she has done some research on the technical side. But on a grand scale, it's barely used in the plot. I am still unsure on what to categorise this book - is it a techno-thriller? A mystery? An action thriller (they did mention the fugitive)? It didn't commit to any of these in full. That's my biggest issue with this book, it felt average overall. I will look forward to her next book, cautiously.