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Aubrey Jean Scott

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Really loved the story

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

Reviewed: 01-11-23

I loved the book, and highly recommend it. Amanda Plummer, though, was so distracting that portions of the book became nonsense if you weren't reading along. Her inflection was consistently misplaced, giving benevolent characters sneaky whispering voices, sad moments excited or apathetic emotion, etc. It was largely dialogue where she suffered, which is a large part of the book.

I can't wait to keep reading the series, but I am for sure returning this audible title as I wouldn't listen to it again.

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I'm not going to lie

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

Reviewed: 01-04-23

I really struggled to finish this book. once the big twist was revealed, I lost all motivation to continue reading, I just didn't care anymore about what was going to happen to any of the characters. (Spoilers incoming)







I know it's a personal reading preference, but reading stories where the worst people win is anything but fun. Once it was revealed that literally everyone was gods awful (except for poor Luke, but he had dead man walking written on him from the start) I just didn't care. I don't care if a serial killer gets a happy ending, and I think it's a bizarre choice to give us that reveal and then draw out the end of the book. I'm also grappling with my opinion on the ethics of directly lying to the reader for the sake of a plot twist. misdirect us, yeah thats the name of the game with plot twists, but McFadden directly lies to the reader and, in my opinion, it cheapened the puzzle.

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It's not the worst

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

Reviewed: 01-02-23

It's a book about an incredibly dislikeable man who looks down on pretty much everyone, especially if you have hobbies.

On top of the characters being shallow (both in personality and development) the plot is honestly boring. This book is described as a thriller, but the only suspense I ever felt was for the last chapter to finish. Ultimately, nothing happens storywise, I'd recommend skipping it.

side note: every woman is introduced with a description of her mouth, breasts, and hair, which is honestly a huge red flag for me when reading so I feel it's worth noting.

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Not a great book, but a fantastic story

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

Reviewed: 12-21-22

I thoroughly enjoyed the writers voice throughout the book, and the fact that this book evokes a lot of genuine emotion. I definitely cried. However the weak spot is a really big one, (spoilers to follow).


I could not suspend my disbelief concerning Death Cast being explicitly endorsed by the government, especially since we are given first person glimpses of the founder of the program. If Joaquin remained a mysterious figure, even to the reader, that would make sense. But it feels like an oversight to put the reader in the shoes of the people who do know how Death Cast works but never actually reveal it.

I sincerely hope there will be a third book that chronicles the fall of Death Cast, because I genuinely want to see this world built up more than the average TikTok AU stories. If that one piece of the puzzle were included, I genuinely would make this an annual reread.

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Don't Read

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

Reviewed: 03-08-22

Honestly, I made it 4 chapters in before I had to investigate the overall reception of this book. The writing was a combination of blunt and flooded with SAT words in a way that made the interactions of characters reminiscent of human.

I desperately wanted to feel connection with this book as my partner is chronically ill and conversations we have frequently reflect the situations in this plot. However the characters are written in such an unlikeable way, it's hard to connect. The author makes sure everyone comments on Janet's weight gain and makes sure it's defended as it's only because of the medicine, otherwise she wouldn't dare be a larger person. (A larger person in this case being a person who is 6 foot 2 and 200 lbs).

I wanted to have sympathy for Alex, Janet, and Bernice, but it's nigh impossible. Alex is egotistical and treats everyone around him as though they are stupid. Grief can alter behavior, sure, but that doesn't make the behavior acceptable. Janet is pushy and insistent. I hated David but oddly I agree with his annoyance at her constant bids for Alex's attention, especially since they are never reciprocated. Bernice is the saddest of all, being the last of her family alive with only Alex as a connection to her daughter. I understand her interest in reaching out to the family Isabella's heart went to. I don't understand her tryst with Alex.

This book makes me upset with Audible's return policy.

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