Review - The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

 

5 in 5 star review book

TW: this book have several triggers so please make sure to read them before reading the book: rape (mention of) and extreme violence described) are 2 of them

Ok after 3 chapters done I had 4 questions: 

Who is Anna? 

Who and why Aiden is there? 

Who is the Footman? 

The Black Plague Doctor is an ally or an enemy?

In the first 30 pages of this book I got very confused as I was expecting that Aiden was introduced as a guest and only after the host situation will start... but to think that I was as confused as Aiden itself was something that the author took time to plot and I simply loved it! 

Aiden (that have no memories of his life) need to solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle in 8 days otherwise he need to start over and without the information he collected so far. But the Plage Doctor advise him: 2 more persons also are trying to solve that mystery.

While Aiden start his journey he want to know who is Anna and if she is a friend or not as it's the only name that he remember so far. 

He will make allies and 1 big enemy that have also a say so to the infamous Footman (who's mission is making sure Aiden's hosts dye)

During my reading I was certain that the killer was one person and BAM a twist making sure it was not that person.... change my mind to point to another suspect and BAM another twist! So after a while my mind started to work to find answers and to seed if a new clue was there but always with the theory of a suicide going wrong.

I was grabbing my book and my mind was like this: 

I was thrilled by all the information and was trying to find answers but some mentions in the book was like clues to solve this mystery and the biggest question was indeed why the guns was different! 

I can tell that the last 10% of the book was not easy to follow as it was so much information that I needed to re-read some parts because I wanted to know the true! 

Not only we can finally understand who is the killer of Evelyn Hardcastle as we uncover the truth about Thomas death, a missing boy, why Helena Hardcastle went missing the full day and some more mysteries.

Also I got under the impression that the Plague Doctor will simply accept any proof and name from Aiden as it was clear that he wanted him out of that situation.

Did the Plague Doctor got his hand all over this situation to make sure Aiden's wish came true?

Also the last information given from The Plague Doctor suggest that this never happened and that actually events change according with what Aiden decisions was.  So my biggest mystery question is: The killer is anyone that Aiden's events lead on and any name could have free then at any moment?

Simply Genius! 

Syndicate X by Thomas M. Marsula Jr.

Language: English

Format: eBook

Pages: 163

Genre: Si-Fi

Rating: 2.5⭐

"The world of Ralkeilia is falling into chaos and despair as creatures begin to rampage throughout the area. Zeak Dartail joins Jessica Dalu, Tony Sindas and Dajh Dartail and they form a group called Syndicate X. They claim to be the new super heroes that will save the world however the way they conduct themselves starts to have new comers question their style."

The story is promising and having several POV make it complete BUT it’s a mess! The POV change a lot in the same chapter (I personally think that Each chapter need only 1 or 2 POV max and making sure we can follow all characters.) and it make complicated to follow correctly the plot line. And I need to add that a lot of sentences should have been together to avoid me reading the same name again and again.  I phrase ending by "and I ran" and the other starting "I then stoped to check..." should have been "and I run until I needed to check...." I mean for me it make more sense than starting a new phrase as complement. Also we miss a prequel! I mean at least an explanation about why they are there in that planet… Again good story idea but messy written for me

Chrysalis by Harrison Murphy

 

Language: English

Format: Ebook

Pages: 299

Genre: Si-Fi 

Rating: 5⭐

"An implant with the potential to save humanity, but only if in the right hands.

The UK’s blood reserves vanish overnight.

The government’s response – make blood currency.

The stolen blood is sold by dealers seemingly controlled by a mysterious implant.

Ginley & Sara, two rival political journalists with opposing agendas cover the government’s handling of a country thrust into crisis.

As they find out more about the blood heist and the implant, the more they have to put their differences aside and work together to unravel a colossal conspiracy, risking their loved ones’ lives, and all that they’ve ever known, in the process"

Is really this Crime Organization alone and not working with the Government? At the beginning I was thinking it will be easy to solve and point fingers but as soon as I got into the 50% of the book I knew that the MC will have a bad moment Got a little confused why some parts was set of in the future but I made the link very fast and was hooked to the story! As I reach the end I was totally in chock and I'm still processing the last 5% of this book

Bug Out by Charlie Dalton

Language: English

Formar: Kindle

Pages: 96

Genre: Si-Fi

Rating: 4⭐

Ok I'm not a real fan of Si-Fi.... really not a genre that I will get over and over (like any thriller book) but Bug Out was actually a pretty good book! (Ok ok novella since only have 96 pages) 

The description of the book got me intrigued: 

"Rigel 4 was the setting for our victory over the Bugs. We claimed the territory and installed a colony. We haven’t heard from them in over a month. Something was wrong.

Setting down, we search the colony. No shots had been fired. Children’s toys lay scattered. Clothes hang on washing lines. Meals sit half-finished on desks piled high with papers.

The colonists had vanished without a trace.

Then we hear something, something none of have heard since the Ultimate Victory.

Chitter.

The sound of Bugs. They’re back."

Basically this pages show how humans (even after destroying Home) still manage to make the same mistakes and still use War as a solution for any situation...

After a while I understood what happened to the colony of Rigel 4 but I was thinking the reason of the Bugs for that.

We, humans, are clearly not the stronger in the Universe.... 

It was not a fully 5 ⭐ only because it was not cleared when it was present and past. I figured out after when I got some clues but was wondering the why of that. Last part of the book was actually pretty clear the reason.