irxren's reviews
93 reviews

I couldn't be more pleased with this story and am excited to have started reading Riley Sager's work! From the beginning, I was completely intrigued and obsessed with the plot. The setting and atmosphere were perfect, creating a Gothic-style chiller with ghostly elements, creaks, shadows, and things that go bump in the night. The plot undergoes multiple changes, making it immersive as you desperately try to uncover the truth. The twists and turns are relentless, creating a rollercoaster ride with a breathtaking pace.

Riley Sager masterfully sprinkles tiny puzzle pieces throughout the book. Just when you think you've assembled the puzzle and figured it out, he flips the table and leaves you in shock. There were several moments where my jaw literally dropped.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a creepy setting, a twisted cast of characters, and a satisfying ending. It's a 5-star read for sure!

"It’s funny. No matter where you go, or how many books you read, you still know nothing, you haven’t seen anything. And that’s life. We live our lives trying to find our way."

This book has two distinct parts that offer different vibes. The first segment is like a heartwarming drama, where Takako and Satoru find love and healing in a bookstore, rediscovering themselves and connecting with others on a deeper level through books. The second part jumps ahead in time, focusing more on Satoru's reunion with his long-lost wife, Momoko. While this segment has its moments, I personally preferred the first part because it felt more intimate and focused on character growth. I wished there had been more interactions between Satoru and Takako to see their relationship evolve. Overall, the novel is light on plot but the author beautifully captures the essence of the neighborhood.

On a rating scale, I'd give it around 3.5 or 4 stars. It's an easy read that's perfect for passing the time, with a focus on love, books, and the charming ambiance of a bookshop.

I had mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I appreciated learning about Honkaku mysteries and their ties to Golden Age mysteries, but as a story, it fell short for me. The writing, possibly impacted by translation, felt repetitive and lacking in creativity. The constant repetition of phrases became tiresome and affected the overall enjoyment.

The conversational style, where the author directly addresses the reader and discusses his writing process, was distracting and unnecessary. It didn't add value to the story and actually detracted from the experience. The lack of clear visual descriptions also hampered my experience, especially during crucial moments like the final revelations. I struggled to picture how everything was set up and executed, which impacted my engagement with the story.

Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting beautifully highlights the importance of connection and community, where six strangers on a daily train commute form an unexpected and heartwarming friendship that offers both emotional and practical support. Iona, a colorful and likable woman, serves as the focus of the story, but the author also develops the other characters exceptionally well, making their dynamic enjoyable to follow.

The diverse group, each with unique personal histories, allows Pooley to explore a range of topical issues, including ageism, unemployment, grief, stress, domestic violence, and bullying. This variety gives the story broad appeal, as many readers will find something that resonates with their own experiences.

It's a perfect choice for a light and enjoyable summer read that leaves a warm and uplifting feeling.

Before the Maze, before the Scorch, before WICKED even existed, the sun flares hit, turning their world upside down. Mark and Trina thought surviving that was the worst, but now a devastating disease is spreading in the U.S. With friends, they're on a mission to find a cure, tracing it back to those responsible. The plot twist involving a character from the first three books added an unexpected layer, and the ending, especially the Teresa revelation, was satisfying.

However, The Kill Order had too much action for my taste. While the hand-to-hand combat seemed unnecessary and prolonged, it overshadowed everything else. It didn't quite feel like a Maze Runner book as main characters were absent. Some lingering questions about the maze and trials were left unanswered, leaving me somewhat disappointed.

Thomas is skeptical about trusting Wicked, but they claim the time for lies is over. They've gathered all they can from the Trials and now rely on the Gladers, with their memories restored, for the ultimate mission. The Gladers must complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare through a final voluntary test. For those familiar with The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials, this third book was expected to address lingering plot issues. The first two books built up questions, creating an action-packed snowball of excitement. However, the third book falls short of hitting a massive brick wall to reveal its true core.

Unfortunately, the author doesn't provide explanations for many unresolved mysteries. The more I ponder, the more plot holes I discover, prompting me to lower my rating.

“We're more than the sum total of our choices, that all the paths we might have taken factor somehow into the math of our identity.”

If there ever was a science fiction story that could appeal to everyone, it's this one.

The story follows Jason Dessen, who is living a normal, happy life with his wife and son. But one night, a stranger abducts him and knocks him out. When he wakes up, everything has changed. The plot follows his struggle to survive and find a way back to the life and people he loves.

Though it's a science fiction novel, it reads like a thriller. The pace is fast and relentless, driving the plot forward with non-stop action and mounting intensity. Just when you think you've figured out where the story is headed, it throws in unexpected twists.

This book is exceptional because it has something for everyone, addressing universal questions about life choices and their consequences. It explores what might have happened if we'd made different decisions, the paths we didn't take, and the sacrifices we'd make to be with our loved ones.

This book offers a transformative journey to help readers discover their true selves and understand their purpose in life. Each day, it presents a small, insightful message along with scripture to memorize, helping you keep track of your path to finding your purpose. Some lessons are challenging, prompting you to face questions you've perhaps avoided for years.

I completed this journey with a sense of accomplishment and I would highly recommend this book as a comprehensive, helpful, and inspiring guide dealing with many of the issues Christians struggle with today. It is structured into subsections that address key aspects of purpose, facilitating a deeper understanding. It served as a reminder of where my hope and purpose truly lie, realigning my perspective with Christ’s intentions. There's nothing more important than living according to God's plan.

The premise of Recursion is certainly intriguing. Detective Sutton is investigating False Memory Syndrome, where victims suddenly have intense memories of lives they’ve never lived. Simultaneously, we follow scientist Helena Smith, who is developing technology to help dementia patients store and access their memories.

I was captivated by the first half of this book. It was easy to follow, and I was excited to see where Blake Crouch’s imagination would take me. However, about halfway through, the complexity of the timelines and false memories became overwhelming. The narrative became repetitive and increasingly difficult to understand. By the end, I was lost and my brain was spinning.

Isabelle Drake is living a nightmare—her baby son, Mason, was snatched from his crib a year ago, and the police investigation has hit a dead end. Desperate for answers, Isabelle turns to a true crime podcaster for help, hoping to uncover the truth behind Mason’s disappearance.

While the pacing of the story is deliberate and slow, I found myself immediately drawn in by Isabelle’s compelling voice. The narrative's structure and the atmospheric setting work effectively together to steadily build suspense throughout the book. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the story surprised me with a twist I didn't see coming.

I would rate this book 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.