Just as good as the first time I'd read it. Madeline Miller has a pen that breaks hearts. Her prose is just genuinely so beautiful and melancholy. I also enjoyed just how in love Patroclus was, how doomed he was in a relationship with a Greek hero meant to have a tragedy. When did heroes have a happy ending? The focus on all the side characters, especially Briseis grounded me further into the story. This is such a fun way to know about the Trojan War but also a very very devastating way to know about Patroclus and Achilles. I loved them so so much.

3 ⭐ I'm genuinely so annoyed by the constant fourth wall breaks. Like, I was interested in learning the story of Cleopatra but not with constant spoilers in THE BOOK ITSELF.

The book enticed me into reading it, in fact every time it didn't flash-forward, it was pretty interesting to read. But I got spoiled so much that I don't understand what I was reading the book for?

Maybe I'll appreciate the book more when I'm less annoyed at the fourth wall breaks.

How is everyone always insane in a Freida McFadden book?

A fast-paced book with extremely short chapters, you're bound to finish it in a few hours. The one thing I love about these books are the fact that they may not be the epitome of psychological thrillers, but they provide reading with so much dynamism. You could read a complex, multi-layered book and you could also read a quick thriller, both are valid.

Spoilers ⭐⚠️☣️

Summary

The book begins with an exploration of Jeremy and Naomi's seemingly perfect marriage. Things seem excellent, but cracks begin to show. Naomi notices that Jeremy is acting abnormal before she gets served with the divorce papers. Naomi is astonished at the audacity of Jeremy to end things, to end their family of three (They have a little boy aged 5 years) without prior thoughts or consultations. Naomi digs deeper to find out that there is another woman, and naomi is not going to let anything or anyone destroy her family.

Further review

I quite enjoyed this book. Again, a popcorn thriller but with a twist I did not really see coming. For once, I was rooting for Naomi. I was convinced she was innocent and definitely deserved some 'unhinged' experiences on her resume. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Veronica and Dominic's storyline. At one point, child stealing is illegal. But at another, Naomi did save a baby from potential death. Well whatever it is, Teddy is a loved child 😭

Also Ezra, you deserve the biggest apology. One of the first characters in a Freida book without a shady twist, past or story. A sweet, talented person caught up with the wrong circumstances. It was refreshing to see a character with some depth who was also completely innocent and did not hide psychopathic tendencies that would've been revealed in the epilogue 💀

5⭐ When I die, donate my middle finger to Oliver Lavoy. I've never wanted to punch a character made of words but this guy got me.

Five Survive is an intense, fast-paced thriller that keeps you hooked after getting 10% into it. This is going to be the best thriller of your life. Holly Jackson has a way of writing thrillers where the nail biting sensation remains without sacrificing characters' dimensions and personalities.

Red is a brilliant protagonist, one that resonates with my own thought processes a lot. Absolutely loved how Holly displayed the way grief can twist, writhe and find a home in your body. Red's constant internal monologue, her insecurities, her questions resemble so much of what a teenager goes through when introduced with tragic events. She's not perfect and nobody thinks she's perfect but she's trying her best.

SPOILERS ⚠️

Also please the ROMANCE. WHY DOES EVERY HOLLY JACKSON BOOK HAS TO HAVE THE BEST COUPLES AND THE WORST ENDINGS? The couples in the author's book are so doomed but also have such better chemistry than actual romance books. They make YOU feel butterflies and then bawl because every couple has to be doomed. Arthur and Red please tell me you met, and are living your happily ever after. Both of you deserve it so so much.

Also, five survive is so cool because I'm happy with who didn't survive. I feel like a bad person saying this but THAT GUY????? IF I SEE HIM I'M GOING TO HAVE TO BE RESTRAINED LITERALLY. HOW CAN A CHARACTER, LITERAL WORDS ON PAPER, GET ON YOUR NERVES SO BAD???

Anyway, the best thriller of Holly 🌸🔮