What did you think of this book?
I had such high hopes for this book. (I, like almost every other person who has read this book as well as the authors first book, says more or less the same thing. Sigh.) I wanted to like the premise. I wanted to be spooked. I wanted to delve into this story and enjoy. But, I didn't.
One word: DULL. Okay, three words: DULL. DULL. DULL.
Gawd. The plot was weak and predictable. There was no action, no excitement. And at the end of the day, I didn't give one ounce of crap about ANY of the characters (including Valentina and her ultimate demise. I think I even uttered, "whatever, go Valentina...")
Here are some comments/questions I wrote down after reading the book:
1. Why did Valentina choose to die? Was her life so awful that she couldn't get past her twin and the control she felt with Julia? Didn't she have plans? Wasn't she in love/lust with Robert?
2. I think it was Elspeth's plan all along to inhabit Valentina's body. What did you think? I believe Elspeth didn't care that it was her daughter...she wanted life back.
3. At the very end of the book what was Robert's "a-ha" moment that made him laugh? What did I miss? Where do you think Robert goes at the end? Obviously he was no longer interested in being with Elspeth in her new form. But, since he didn't want to leave London (he mentions that several times during the story) did he choose to die as well? Was he really in love with Valentina?
4. What is with the story of (crazy) Martin and his wife?!? Why were they even given so much space in this story? I really hate one thing in books: when authors use characters SIMPLY FOR THE PROGRESSION OF THEIR STORY. If they are needed for a certain movement and purpose, then make them PURPOSEFUL! Make them meaningful. Drives me crazy. And Martin and his estranged wife provided NOTHING to the story other than to be another body in the building. Annoying. And frustrating.
5. I liked the concept of this book but it was boring and lacking thrill and excitement. It was also totally predictable and the "twist" (I'm using that word loosely) was not original and added to my annoyance because, come on, we readers are smarter than this!!
6. Bottom line: it bored me. It was disappointing. I was expecting more. It was unoriginal. I gave it only 2 stars. However, I believe it deserved more like 1.5 stars. The half/other full star was ONLY because I loved the ghost/cool cemetery element, otherwise, one star.
Tomorrow I will announce our May "O" selection.
Now it is your turn...please, tell me what YOU thought of "Her Fearful Symmetry". Liked it? Hated it? Decent read? Your turn...go!
