 Hello again booksters! Today, I'll be discussing one of the most popular true crime novels of the year- I'll Be Gone in the Dark. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara (3 stars) For more than ten years, a mysterious and violent predator committed 50 sexual assaults in Northern California before moving south, where he committed ten horrific murders. Then he disappeared, escaping capture from some of the best detectives in the area. Three decades later, true crime journalist Michelle McNamara is determined to find the Golden State Killer. Review As many of you know, I absolutely love the crime, mystery, and thriller genres. Despite that, I had been very skeptical about picking up I'll Be Gone in the Dark. Although the topic was fascinating, I feared that the story itself, specifically the reportive/journalistic aspect, would be monotonous. Unfortunately those fears came true. I decided to read I'll Be Gone in the Dark because of the novel's wonderful reviews. Sadly, I didn't feel the way most of my peers felt about this book. I'd like to start off by saying that although I did not enjoy reading this novel, I admire McNamara's endless dedication to the case. With that said, let's discuss the book itself. One of my biggest complaints about IBGITD is its lack of structure. I am appalled by the fact that the novel has no method of organization- it's simply dozens of short stories compiled together in no particular order. The book jumps from the story of a rape, to the story of a murder, to the narration of McNamara discussing the case with various detectives. This lack of organization makes the book sloppy which causes many readers, myself included, to feel disengaged and bored the majority of the time. If the novel had been organized chronologically, IBGITD would've been much more enthralling. Another element that I struggled with was the fact that IBGITD was just 328 pages of speculation. Although there were dozens of facts regarding the crime scenes, there was no concrete evidence pointing to the identity of the killer. Despite detectives having a possible profile, the novel was just hundreds of pages of "what ifs." While there's no doubt that Michelle McNamara and her book, I'll Be Gone in the Dark, brought back attention to one of the most heinous and coldest cases in history, that's basically all this book accomplished. Her dedication to this case was remarkable and admirable, but new technology is what put Joseph James DeAngelo behind bars. Did you read I'll Be Gone in the Dark? What did you think? Leave your comments down below.
0 Comments
 Welcome back to AZE! Today, I'll be discussing The Canary's Song, Natalie Banks' latest work. I want to give a huge thanks to the author and publisher for sending me a free review copy in exchange for my honest review. Now, let's get to rating! The Canary's Song by Natalie Banks (3.5 stars) Juliette Bennett’s life was in shambles. Losing her son to a shocking accident had broken her heart, and now, she was on the verge of losing her husband too. In a last effort to save her marriage, Juliette books a cabin retreat in the mountains of North Carolina. She thought she had overcome the worst time of her life. Little does she know, the wilderness has something dreadful in store. Review Natalie Banks is back with remarkable character development in her latest work, The Canary's Song. This latest book features incredible, authentic representations of motherhood and relationships while also addressing the issues of overcoming hardships, struggling with faith, and healing and forgiveness. For readers who have struggled with partnerships or parenthood, The Canary's Song will hit very close to home. While the story felt slow at times, the genuineness of the featured characters made for an unputdownable novel. The Canary's Song is a quick and short read packed with immense and intense emotion. And while the thriller addict side of me would prefer The Dark Room, there's no doubt that Banks' latest work is a good pick for lovers of contemporary fiction. If you enjoy emotion packed novels and character-based reads, pick up a copy of The Canary's Song!  Hello bibliophiles! Today, I'll be discussing one the most anticipated thrillers of the year, Tear Me Apart. J.T. Ellison's latest novel will be released on August 28, 2018! A BIG thanks to Mira Books (Harlequin and Harper Collins) for sending me a free ARC in exchange for my honest review. Let's get to rating! Tear Me Apart by J.T. Ellison (5 stars) Competitive Skier Mindy Wright is a star in the making until a horrific accident threatens her life. During surgery, doctors discover she's suffering from a severe illness, and a stem cell transplant is her only chance at recovery. But when her parents are tested, a shocking truth is uncovered- Mindy is not their daughter. Who has the answers? And why would someone go to such extremes to keep the past hidden? Review Just when I thought it couldn't possibly get better than Lie to Me... IT DOES. Readers, I literally devoured this book. Tear Me Apart is 485 pages and I managed to read the entire novel in a little over a day. I was taking this book with me to doctor appointments, to family gatherings, even to lunch. I just could not put it down. J.T. Ellison's writing is just as gripping and mesmerizing in Tear Me Apart as it was in Lie to Me. It's concise and straightforward yet colorful and detailed. The characters, both primary and secondary, are also quite intriguing. From Juliet's independent and intelligent persona to Jasper's cool and composed demeanor, each character is not only extraordinary but highly significant to the story. Despite the fact that Ellison's writing style and character development are remarkable, what hooked me instantly was the plot of the story. From the moment I finished the prologue, I knew Tear Me Apart would be dark, sinister, and filled with betrayal. Although the villain in the novel was quite apparent to me, each and every word was riveting nonetheless. This book is so much more than the tale of a family. Tear Me Apart is a daunting reminder that no one is as harmless and innocent as they appear to be. Eager to uncover the Wrights' darkest secrets? Pick up a copy of Tear Me Apart on August 28th!  Welcome back to AZE! This week, I'll be discussing Sunday Times bestseller Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (4.5 stars) Meet Eleanor Oliphant: She says exactly what she’s thinking and sees no problem with it. Nothing is missing in her carefully planned routine. Days include frozen pizza, vodka, watching the telly, and phone chats with Mummy. Then one day, Eleanor meets Raymond. And with time, her daily customs come to halt. Through this unlikely friendship, Eleanor will come to find that routine and social isolation aren't the only way to live life after all. Review "I remember thinking, as I put the phone down, that I really, really hoped that Janey wouldn't bring in one of her homemade cakes to mark my return, as she often did when people had been off. Dry doesn't even come close to describing the arid desert texture of her coffee-and-walnut sponge." Time to fess' up... Apart from Hermione Granger, no other character has made me laugh as much as Eleanor Oliphant has. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is amusing and delightful but it's also compelling and powerful. While the novel had me completely captivated through humor and its enchanting featured characters, what made me fall in love with the story was its advocacy of the power of kindness and friendship. Although Gail Honeyman's writing style was splendid, the story and characters she created were quite remarkable. I found myself laughing-out-loud at Eleanor's outrageously blatant responses while also smiling at Raymond's compassionate deeds. Despite Honeyman creating a magnificent story of friendship and acceptance, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is more than a heartwarming tale. This novel addresses significant topics such as mental health, trauma, emotional abuse, suicide, and so many other issues that people around the world struggle with everyday. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine serves to remind every individual that no matter how hopeless you feel, you're never alone and unloved. Have YOU picked up a copy of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine?  Welcome back readers! Today, I'll be discussing my thoughts on a beloved New York Times bestseller! A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (5 stars) Meet Ove. He has strict principles, inflexible routines, and a very short temper. One November morning, a family of four move into the neighborhood and accidentally wreck Ove's mailbox. This accident leads to a funny and heartwarming story of unanticipated pets, surprising friendships, and eventful afternoons- all of which change the ill-tempered old man and his daily routine. Review Okay booksters... I haven't loved a book this much in quite some time. The moment I read the very last word I knew I wouldn't read anything like this for a while- that realization prompted an enormous amount of tears. A Man Called Ove is much more than a story filled with comical anecdotes. This piece is made up of genuine and candid characters- all of which moved me (and other readers) in ways nonreaders couldn't understand. Each character was not only outspoken and unique, they were lovable. Without "the foreign pregnant woman," "the lanky one," the cat, or any of the others, this story wouldn't be beautiful and unforgettable- it wouldn't be A Man Called Ove. Every single personality featured in this novel contributes to Ove's story immensely. As I got further into the story, I came to find that each character is a sort of puzzle piece, and each piece fits perfectly to create a breathtaking tale. Despite this, it wasn't until I read the very last word that I realized how much each character had affected me personally. I thought of Ove, Parvaneh, Sonja, and all the other characters and wished that I could go back to the very beginning and read the book all over again. A Man Called Ove is a brilliant novel filled with sensational characters and truly great writing. Whoever picks this novel up can expect to smile, laugh, and cry their eyes out. Nonetheless, it's totally worth it. If you have yet to read A Man Called Ove, I hope I've convinced you. Read this book already? Share your thoughts down below! |