Oh boy, where to start with this one. I had really high hopes for The Maidens as I got sucked into the hype, but argh was this book frustrating. I thought The Silent Patient was mediocre but I ended up liking The Maidens even less. I think the best way to express my feelings is to put together a pros and cons list:
Pros:
- Greek mythology is badass
- Short chapters
- Tiebacks to TSP were fun
- Cults are fascinating
Cons:
- The misportrayal of psychotherapy
- Major holes in the plot
- Story seemed flat / one-dimensional
- Lack of character development
- Annoying AF main character
- Too many (unnecessary) characters
- Way too many red herrings
- Consent was nonexistent
- Grooming & statutory rape were included (TW / CW, obvs)
I think this could've been a great book had it been written better. It almost feels like the author tried way too hard to incorporate Greek mythology to the point that the story suffered. And why was Mariana, her occupation being a psychotherapist, so invested in finding the murderer? How can she just up and leave her clients for weeks at a time? Is it really plausible that a psychotherapist jwould possess the necessary skillset for detective work? I mean, yes, law enforcement were involved but they were in the background the whole time and it seemed like they were only mentioned for the hell of it. With that being said, I do wish the author success, but man, this book was frustrating at times.
Rating: 2.5 stars (rounded up to 3; 1.5 stars for Greek mythology and 1 star for the mention of Antigone - the play I was in, in high school!)
Thanks to Celadon Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Pros:
- Greek mythology is badass
- Short chapters
- Tiebacks to TSP were fun
- Cults are fascinating
Cons:
- The misportrayal of psychotherapy
- Major holes in the plot
- Story seemed flat / one-dimensional
- Lack of character development
- Annoying AF main character
- Too many (unnecessary) characters
- Way too many red herrings
- Consent was nonexistent
- Grooming & statutory rape were included (TW / CW, obvs)
I think this could've been a great book had it been written better. It almost feels like the author tried way too hard to incorporate Greek mythology to the point that the story suffered. And why was Mariana, her occupation being a psychotherapist, so invested in finding the murderer? How can she just up and leave her clients for weeks at a time? Is it really plausible that a psychotherapist jwould possess the necessary skillset for detective work? I mean, yes, law enforcement were involved but they were in the background the whole time and it seemed like they were only mentioned for the hell of it. With that being said, I do wish the author success, but man, this book was frustrating at times.
Rating: 2.5 stars (rounded up to 3; 1.5 stars for Greek mythology and 1 star for the mention of Antigone - the play I was in, in high school!)
Thanks to Celadon Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.