REVIEW: GONE GIRL

I know I'm late to the party. The book is out, and so is the movie. But if you haven't read it yet, skip it and pick up something else from Flynn.

I really wanted to like Gone Girl. I'm a big fan of unreliable narrators, and I've used them myself, so I was excited to delve into Flynn's twisted tale. It's indisputable that she is a talented writer.

However, the cons of this book far outweigh the pros. As the story progresses, both Nick and Amy (unlikeable from the start) become increasingly awful. By the halfway point, I couldn't care less who was guilty of what and who was going to get in what trouble.

While the writing is technically proficient, it often veers into overwrought territory. The constant stream of metaphors and adjectives can be overwhelming, and I found myself skipping pages just to escape the excessive prose.

Ultimately, Gone Girl is a disappointing read. Two stars.

REVIEW: THE KILLER COLLECTIVE

Although Barry Eisler had been on my radar for a while—my Upgrade series covers were designed by the same artist as some of his books—I only recently picked up The Killer Collective. It turned out to be an incredibly enjoyable page-turner that brings together a crew you can't help but root for. The novel expertly blends intense action with a gripping plot, tackling some sensitive and thought-provoking topics. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Eisler himself, and his skill in giving each character a distinct voice truly elevated the experience. Five stars.

REVIEW: THE SPY COAST

Tess Gerritsen's "The Spy Coast" delivers a thrilling tale of a retired CIA operative, Maggie Bird, forced to confront the ghosts of her past. The fast-paced narrative follows Maggie as she navigates a deadly game, unraveling a mystery that stretches across the globe.

Gerritsen's strengths shine through in this novel. Her writing is crisp and engaging, bringing the characters and settings to life. The story unfolds at a steady pace, weaving flashbacks seamlessly into the present-day action, keeping the reader hooked. The characters, particularly Maggie and her "Martini Club" colleagues, are well-developed and relatable, each possessing unique personalities and skill sets. The exotic locations, from the tranquility of coastal Maine to the bustling streets of Bangkok, add an immersive quality to the story.

While "The Spy Coast" excels in many aspects, a couple of elements might not appeal to all readers. I found the romantic subplot taking center stage too often, sometimes almost driving the novel out of the thriller genre into romance and potentially distracting from the central mystery. Additionally, the character of Jo Thibodeau, initially presented as a potentially intriguing figure, feels underdeveloped. Her role primarily becomes that of comic relief, and her story arc lacks a meaningful connection to the main plot.

Despite these minor drawbacks, "The Spy Coast" remains a thoroughly enjoyable read. 4.5 stars.

REVIEW: LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND

"Leave the World Behind" attempts to capture the tension of an undefined apocalypse and the clash of two families navigating the unknown. However, the execution is marred by pretentiousness and pomposity, rendering the novel a boring and tedious read. The author seems more preoccupied with showcasing an extensive vocabulary than weaving a compelling narrative. The constant insertion of fancy words feels forced. "Oh, look at me, I'm so literary!"

The book also indulges in unnecessary details, exemplified by the excruciatingly long descriptions of mundane activities such as grocery shopping. Almost two full pages are dedicated to detailing the contents of a character's shopping cart, a tiresome exercise that adds little to the plot and comes off as self-indulgent. The narrative's attempt at cuteness falls flat, leaving readers grappling with boredom rather than the intended intrigue.

Ironically, the Netflix movie adaptation boasting an impressive cast (Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Kevin Bacon) may end up being more compelling than its literary counterpart. With the potential for visual storytelling to alleviate the burden of excessive prose, the film might overcome some of the book’s shortcomings. But I think I’m going to skip this one nonetheless.

Idea: 3 stars
Execution: 1 star

Overall: 2 stars

REVIEW: A FLICKER IN THE DARK

A Missed Opportunity.

I had high hopes for Stacy Willingham's thriller, "A Flicker in the Dark." I really wanted to like it.

The premise promised a unique twist on the psychological thriller genre, with the daughter of a notorious serial killer facing her past as a psychologist and stumbling upon another mystery that echoes the nightmares of her childhood. But alas, the execution left much to be desired.

The protagonist, Chloe Davis, should have been a character we could empathize with, given her traumatic past and the challenges she faces as an adult. However, she comes off as unlikable, bordering on irredeemably annoying. It's challenging to root for a heroine when you find yourself wishing for the story to shift focus away from her.

Despite its promising foundation, the storyline is plagued by inconsistencies and sizable logical holes that make it difficult to immerse oneself in the narrative fully. The novel's constant descent into romantical fluff further blurs the lines between thriller and romance, leaving readers searching for the gripping suspense they anticipated.

One of the significant flaws lies in using the "I can't go to the police yet" trope, a narrative tool that can be effective when executed convincingly. In this case, however, the reasons for Chloe's hesitation lack the necessary depth and believability. With multiple pieces of compelling evidence, the reluctance to involve law enforcement feels forced, becoming a glaring issue for those desperately trying to suspend disbelief.

Ultimately, "A Flicker in the Dark" falls far short of its potential. While Stacy Willingham's writing style shows promise, the novel's shortcomings, from an unlikable protagonist to an inconsistent plot, result in a lackluster thriller that struggles to deliver on its initial premise. What could have been a heart-pounding thriller earns a modest 2.5 stars.

REVIEW: THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F*CK

You don’t read self-help books, you say? Well, I don’t give a f*ck as I don’t read them either. I think the vast majority of them are filled with fluffy, feel-good affirmations and vague bullsh*t that never quite translates into real-life solutions.

I’ve come across this book by accident. And by accident, I mean someone gave it to me. I said thank you, as any person with manners should put it on the shelf, and forgot about it for a few years. Then, one day, as I was looking for something to read, I picked it up, leafed through it, and didn’t put it back until it was finished.

Beyond the provocative exterior lies a book that delves into the raw, uncomfortable truths of life. Instead of sugarcoating things and proclaiming you beautiful because that’s what makes you feel good, Manson explores the idea that embracing life’s struggles and acknowledging our limitations is the true path to a meaningful existence. What’s more, by choosing what to suffer for, we can get a better grip on our lives and steer them in the direction we want.

What resonated with me the most is the central idea around which the entire book is built - we have a limited amount of f*cks to give in life, and we should be extremely discerning about where we invest them. This concept, while seemingly simple, carries profound implications. The joy in life doesn’t come from the absence of problems. It’s earned when we solve them.

In the end, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” is a refreshingly honest and insightful book that transcends its provocative title. For a person, who avoids self-help books like the plague, this one left a lasting impression and challenged my perspective on what it means to truly give a f*ck about life.

Go read it now. You won’t be disappointed.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck

REVIEW: The Rules Of Supervillainy

Aren’t you tired of shiny, holier than thou superheroes? Here comes Gary and he wants to be a supervillain. Merciless: The Supervillain without mercy. Oh, it sounds redundant, you say? Well, it’s a work in progress. Just like Gary himself. Gary is… well, let’s just say he’s got some issues to work out. When a magic cloak that used to belong to a superhero and grants its wearer superpowers (and brings a lot of attitude) shows up on his doorstep, Gary is hooked. And so is the reader.

Quick-witted, hilarious, and enjoyable from start to finish, The Rules of Supervillainy is a laugh-out-loud affair you’ll want to read in one sitting. Five stars.

REVIEW: THE PRICE OF TIME

What would you do if you could live forever? And what would you be willing to pay for such a privilege?

The Price Of Time is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that asks those very questions. While immortality is not exactly a new idea, Tigner does a great job of looking at the possibility of eternal life through the prism of morality. Will you share that discovery with the world? Will you keep it for yourself and a few chosen ones? Will you… kill for it?

Given the advances in technology in the past two decades, I find the story particularly compelling. It is not entirely unthinkable to imagine that at some point in the not-so-distant future, a process will become available to those fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time with the right amount of money.

All in all, a very entertaining read. Five stars.