I had to mull this one over a bit before writing my review. I was a big fan of The Silent Patient, but The Maidens didn't quite hit the same high notes for me, therefore my expectations weren’t set high for The Fury, which was probably advantageous.
First off, if you haven’t read The Silent Patient and plan to, I suggest reading it first since there is a spoiler in the epilogue of The Fury, although one could feasibly skip the epilogue and not miss out on anything crucial. If you have read it, it’s imperative to approach The Fury with the understanding that it deviates significantly from its predecessor.
What I liked: I’m a sucker for unreliable and unlikeable narrators, and Elliot Chase is very much both. I enjoyed how he broke the fourth wall and spoke to us as readers, gradually feeding us the story bit by bit.
I loved the theme and setting. The Island served as a compelling and evocative backdrop for the unfolding events. The theatre theme throughout, to include the book being in Acts like a script, were on point with our characters.
Short chapters, with important details missing, often ending on a cliffhanger, kept me invested and turning the pages quickly.
What I didn’t like:
The exclusive reliance on Elliot as the singular narrator for all characters resulted in an elongated exposition of backstories, making the story feel repetitive and drag at times. Around the two-thirds mark there was a sudden shift in narrative momentum, like a bomb dropped, and suddenly it's a mad dash to the finish line. I prefer a more balanced pace.
For me, it ended up being more of a character study of the multiple characters instead of the whodunit or whydunit thriller I was expecting at the start.
If you are someone who needs to have a likeable character to cheer on, this may not be a book for you. There are no likeable characters. They're all awful lol.
Overall, I didn’t love it or hate it. I was invested throughout, so it’s a solid 3 stars for me.
Expected Publication Date January 16, 2024
Thank you Celadon and Bookish First for my review copy
First off, if you haven’t read The Silent Patient and plan to, I suggest reading it first since there is a spoiler in the epilogue of The Fury, although one could feasibly skip the epilogue and not miss out on anything crucial. If you have read it, it’s imperative to approach The Fury with the understanding that it deviates significantly from its predecessor.
What I liked: I’m a sucker for unreliable and unlikeable narrators, and Elliot Chase is very much both. I enjoyed how he broke the fourth wall and spoke to us as readers, gradually feeding us the story bit by bit.
I loved the theme and setting. The Island served as a compelling and evocative backdrop for the unfolding events. The theatre theme throughout, to include the book being in Acts like a script, were on point with our characters.
Short chapters, with important details missing, often ending on a cliffhanger, kept me invested and turning the pages quickly.
What I didn’t like:
The exclusive reliance on Elliot as the singular narrator for all characters resulted in an elongated exposition of backstories, making the story feel repetitive and drag at times. Around the two-thirds mark there was a sudden shift in narrative momentum, like a bomb dropped, and suddenly it's a mad dash to the finish line. I prefer a more balanced pace.
For me, it ended up being more of a character study of the multiple characters instead of the whodunit or whydunit thriller I was expecting at the start.
If you are someone who needs to have a likeable character to cheer on, this may not be a book for you. There are no likeable characters. They're all awful lol.
Overall, I didn’t love it or hate it. I was invested throughout, so it’s a solid 3 stars for me.
Expected Publication Date January 16, 2024
Thank you Celadon and Bookish First for my review copy