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ashesashes's review against another edition
2.0
Wow the summary should have been guy has a massive overreaction to criticism.
hailtramp's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
the author does a great job of making you hate the main character while rooting for her. some of the best plot twists I've seen, partially because they are so unbelievable you couldn't have seen them coming. an intense but good quick read. don't read it if you don't want to be stressed the entire time
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Sexual violence
wlkncontradict81's review
1.0
Predictable. The main character was so numb that she lacked any reason for the audience to care about her. Since this story was told in the first person it was tough to get through. Definitely wouldn't recommend it this book to anyone.
madihollander's review
4.0
UGHHH I love a main character that’s so hateable. Psychological noir type books are a niche that I’m fully leaning into and this scratched that itch. Vivian sucks so bad. I love her. She played the uno reverse card so good. Love the first person POV with a split personality. Prob not everyone’s cup of tea but that’s okay because it’s mine
gina_gina's review
4.0
3.5 - 4.5 stars, rounded to 4
Here in the Dark is a first novel, and I enjoyed it.
The main character is a dark and destructive female (Oh, how I love these characters!) on the brink of madness or nonexistence. A theatre critic fueled by self-loathing, drugs, alcohol, and sex... The author sometimes leans on the obvious destructive female tropes. Nevertheless, Vivian is oddly likeable and engaging.
The writing is vivid and descriptive without getting too lost in minutia. At times the pace slows such that the mounting tension is lost to an exasperated sigh of "Can we get on with this?". The plot twist is as elaborate as Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile or Murder on the Orient Express, requiring 1) many characters and utterly perfect timing to come together seamlessly and 2) a healthy dose of willing suspension of disbelief from the reader. The resolution felt a bit rushed compared to the build up, but that seems to be the arc of most thrillers.
I look forward to another novel by Alexis Soloski.
Here in the Dark is a first novel, and I enjoyed it.
The main character is a dark and destructive female (Oh, how I love these characters!) on the brink of madness or nonexistence. A theatre critic fueled by self-loathing, drugs, alcohol, and sex... The author sometimes leans on the obvious destructive female tropes. Nevertheless, Vivian is oddly likeable and engaging.
The writing is vivid and descriptive without getting too lost in minutia. At times the pace slows such that the mounting tension is lost to an exasperated sigh of "Can we get on with this?". The plot twist is as elaborate as Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile or Murder on the Orient Express, requiring 1) many characters and utterly perfect timing to come together seamlessly and 2) a healthy dose of willing suspension of disbelief from the reader. The resolution felt a bit rushed compared to the build up, but that seems to be the arc of most thrillers.
I look forward to another novel by Alexis Soloski.
tegwyth's review
3.0
Absolutely WILD ride. Didn’t really know what to expect throughout the story and i definitely didn’t expect that ending! Would give it 4 stars but i felt like it was hard for me to get into it in the beginning so that’s why it’s 3.
christinamapes's review
3.0
I thought I'd love a mystery set in the theater world, but I really couldn't connect with the main character. It was fine.
cake_cats_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Kidnapping, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
hcchilders's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75