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Nature

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  • 5
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It’s… just okay

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-04-21

I’ll say, it took me a minute to get used to the narrators voice; but once I did, she was quite good.
The story itself is just alright. Some parts are really drawn out, and the suspense never quite makes it. The ending is sort of rushed and wasn’t super satisfying.

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Give Matt Haig a Chance

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-15-21

I put this book on my wish list because I was curious. I know Matt Haig from his book “Reasons to Stay Alive” and I suggest that book 100% I read it in one day with tears running down my face. It made me feel heard, and understood in a way that is rare with mental illness.

So I decided to give this a listen, and it was a decent book to get me through a few long plane trips. Looking over Matt’s other titles, I get the impression that this is a new direction for his writing.

The premise of this story is pretty good, if slightly overdone. Think a Christmas Carol or It’s a Wonderful Life. Matt took an old idea and attempted to modernize it and view it from a lens focused on mental health. I wish he would have dove a little deeper, and focused a little less on the philosophical.

Overall, I think it’s a decent attempt. I enjoyed the book, but it could have been better. If you happen to read my whole review; go get Reasons to Stay Alive instead. It’s not a novel, but it’s worth every word on every page. (Especially if you struggle with suicidal ideation)

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Eh

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-11-21

Ok, I think if this had been marketed as a YA novel it would have been okay. But since it wasn’t, I was a little disappointed. The author also breaks the fourth wall, and speaks directly to the reader... which is strange because there’s no reason for it. No set up, it leaves you wondering “why are you talking to me?”

Also, it opens at the end of the story and then flashes back “let’s start from the beginning” which is super overdone. The real issue with this plot device is that it totally ruins the twist you’re supposed to get with a psychological thriller. The twist isn’t there, because the whole time you’re expecting the explanation.

Overall, it was a somewhat entertaining story, the actual writing was lackluster, and the structure was just off. I would have really enjoyed it when I was 17.

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Misrepresentation?

Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-05-19

Nowhere in the description or sample did it happen to mention that this book (written by a doctor) was based on religion. I would have never purchased it if I had known. Less than 2 minutes in, you hear about how the world is mad at god and a bible verse. Fair warning to anyone interested.

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165 people found this helpful