3.5 or 3.75 rounded up!

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC to read and review!

I had a fun time with this one - it's only my third book from the author, but just like the others I've read, it's quick, twisty, and entertaining.

There's not a massive amount of character building, but there's enough to give you a good idea of them and draw you into the story. It moved fast and was full of drama and tension. I actually wanted a lot more of the enigmatic, eerie texts! I think I would've enjoyed it a bit more if the YouTube aspect and text messages were a larger focus compared to the mother drama that took the forefront.

The characters were compelling and took me by surprise. I thought a lot of their decisions were illogical, but it makes the story go forward. The twists took me by complete surprise and made me rethink each character!

Again, it's another entertaining read from this author! I thought the mystery was compelling, the text messages intriguing, and the baking element a fun tie-in! While I guessed part of the truth about April, the main twist(s) I did not see coming, which I appreciated! There was a trope that was prominent throughout the whole story (cheating) that I personally don't like. Looking beyond that, though, I liked how the end and truth unfolded, and the additional twist in the epilogue was great!

After finishing it and thinking about the story as a whole, the hindsight requires you to suspend disbelief and ignore plot holes, but I've come to expect that going into these stories.

I think popcorn-thriller lovers and/or those looking for an easy read will have a good time with this one and some good twists!

3.2 or 3.5 (I think/for now)

Part of what really made me like this story was that it reminded me a lot of The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown, which I read last year and loved. This one had the added aspect of a little more fantasy and call back to 'classic'/historical figures, mythos, etc. I had a lot of fun with that and found myself learning a lot and looking up the characters! I feel like the story is at once a little dark (with the mystery and stakes) and whimsical - a mix I really liked!

I think the story was also really interesting, as the Codex, Dee, prophecies, Elders, and so much more built the tension. I honestly wanted a little more of the prophecy being explained, as I felt that there was some lack of clarity there and plot holes (though I appreciate that they may/will likely be further explained in the next books, I think it would've been good as foundation in this first installment). I loved how the magic of auras came into play and the unique details surrounding different types of magic, sorcery, and all of that! The characters, settings, and fantasy all just came together to create a pretty unique and compelling world (including Shadow Realms!).

The story is both a mystery and an adventure, both of which I liked following! Flamel and Scatty take the twins on quite a wild ride around different places, meeting different characters and their powers. I appreciated the humor that was integrated as the teens question the existence of things that they've only known as stories up until that point. I was really interested in the side plot of Perenelle being taken - I wish we got so much more page time with her!

Characters themselves were, again, interesting! Most of them have distinct personalities, like Scatty's spunkiness, Dee's arrogance, and Flamel's complicated motives and cares. The side characters were so much fun - from the 'creatures' to the 'known' figures like Hecate and Bastet. I will say that I feel like the twins could've been a little more complex. I think the historical figures got a good amount of development because they were being explained to the twins and already had a foundation for the author to work from. Sophie and Josh almost seemed to meld together - they never (or very rarely) fight, they care and only think about the same things most of the time, and they're obsessed with each other. As much as I love reading siblings who love and care for each other, and can acknowledge how some feelings of jealousy eventually arise (though it still doesn't negate the obsession or lack of expressed conflict between them), it didn't feel totally realistic to me. Siblings fight, bicker, all of it. I'm not saying they needed to be enemies, but I felt that their relationship was a little too 'perfect.'

I enjoyed the fast pace, but I will say that the ending felt chopped off. I didn't think it was super satisfying - the whole story is them going on a journey of evasion from their enemies and discovering powers to fight evil potentials. When the story ends, there's nothing 'new' that left me wanting more; it was more so that just another stop on their adventure/escape ended, and the book was left there. I also just felt unsatisfied about some plot holes and underdeveloped aspects - I wanted more of a lot of elements. Perenelle, the prophecy, the explanation of potential futures if certain events unfolded, etc. I just had a lot of questions and plot holes to contend with at the end. As the story went on, I started keeping a list of the increasingly confusing aspects, plotholes, and questions that made me frustrated even as I still enjoyed it.

I think it was a fun, quick story, and I did have a good time with it, but I don't think I'm gripped enough to keep going with it.

Questions that irked me (not all of them, but these are the major ones) SPOILERS???:

• Why didn't the last two pages just get destroyed? Easy fix - the book can never be completed, it was insinuated that those pages would only bring back the Dark Elders and weren't needed for the immortality potion, etc.
• Why didn't Abraham just destroy the book after The Flood? That way, it could never be used to bring back the Elders. Even if the prophecy said it would be important because it would be needed for the twins to save the world (potentially), none of that would have even mattered if the Codex had just been destroyed because then there would be (according to the logic that the book is the only thing that can allow the Elders to come back) no way for Elders to be brought back.
• If Abraham forced Elders to leave the Earth, how are there still some roaming around?
• How did the Elders 'escape' (?) the first time after Abraham forced them out, and if they supposedly ruined civilization with their returned fighting, how did humanity come back? (since the fall of the Elders' world and "The Flood" are noted as separate things)
• quite a few more plot holes lol

3.75 rounded up

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for an eARC to read and provide an honest review.

This is a quick read that broke up my typical genres, and I had a lot of fun with it! It's quick but captivating, particularly given that the 'setup'/setting is a reality TV 'game' show. The premise had me hooked, and I was not let down.

It's at once humorous and reflective, shifting from the former to latter as the story goes on. I was immediately drawn in by the author's note before the story even began, but aside from that, the opening chapters are drama-evoking. There's tension and entertainment upon learning about the contestants/workplace villains and their 'crimes,' along with the rules and workings of the game show.

From there, the schemes and antics in the mock break room, though in reality low-stakes, were just as fun to read about. Each character tries different things just to get hints and try to win the prize money up for grabs, and it makes each trivial 'crime' seem much more impactful than it really would be in a normal workplace break room (even if it would still be frowned upon and inappropriate), which had me wanting to keep reading.

The characters themselves are all super distinct, and I loved how they were given aliases for the show according to their break room 'crimes.' The element of the game show that came into play with hints and recordings was a fun aspect that I would've loved more of! I thought the game show aspect overall was very creative and engaging to read about!

The characters are built up, and the nature of the story and its messaging makes it so that it's (intentionally) difficult to land on an opinion of any of them. That said, I do wish we got a little more page time with each one - while we get the story told from one POV, I even felt 'left out' of it, as though Ice Cube was playing the game on the show and I was still left out of what he discovered and observed; I wanted to be more immersed in it so that I could try to guess the mole, too.

While it is a short novel/novella, I again would've loved to have more time with the characters and game, and I felt the ending a tad rushed and underwhelming. I would've read a long novel if this was expanded!

This is a fun, quick read that is also really reflective under the surface. Just like the author's and translator's notes describe, it makes you think about how you interact with others. It's hard to think about why someone dislikes you when you only know them through snippets of conversations or interactions (even just observations), as in a break room. It's also hard to acknowledge that, while we are all on the receiving end of that hasty judgment, we are also on the other end. We judge others based on little actions and interactions. We never have the full picture, which I think this story does a great job of conveying, especially as it goes on and we learn a little more about some of the characters. It leaves you thinking about how you can't be liked by everyone, no matter what you do. It's a hard truth, but an important one. You have to be enough for yourself, easier said than done, but a resonating message/lesson nonetheless.

That message is what bumped up my rating a bit - I really saw myself reflected in the story. It's exhausting to always be wondering what others are thinking of you based on 5 minutes together, based on one observation or fleeting glance. It's exhausting to do little things to try to be liked, to do things you think are good or will get that approval just for those things to be thought of as weird or negative. It's hard to know and be exhausted by all of this while sitting with the uncomfortable fact of doing the same thing to others unwittingly.

... My heart melts for Monologue.

3.25 or 3.5 (rounded down)

I'm kind of conflicted about this one. The first McFadden I read/listened to was The Intruder, and I really enjoyed that one!

Like with The Intruder, I listened to this one as an audiobook and it kept up my attention throughout the whole thing. I think a lot of the intrigue and strengths of it were Adrienne's POV chapters and the patient session transcripts. Those were really entertaining sections, whether getting more about Adrienne's character and storyline, which is where the real mystery is at (in my opinion), and/or about her patients and relationships. That said, once the twists happened towards the end, Tricia's perspective became equally gripping.

For most of the story, though, Tricia was an insufferable FMC. The way her perspective and inner monologue was written made me wince, as it felt very superficial, 'cringey,' and unrealistic. More than that, she seemed quite airheaded about everything, mainly Ethan and their relationship. Ethan was slightly less insufferable, though his willful (?) ignorance and disregard came for the very overt and real indications of suspicious behavior at the home. Tricia was appropriately concerned, but he always wrote everything off. Their relationship was a very odd to me, even more so after the ending.

The plot itself is the highlight in terms of figuring out what really happened regarding Dr. Hale. Again, those patient sessions and her POV were the most well-developed and well-written parts. The 'twists' made sense in that 'storyline,' if you will. However, a big problem I had with the story is that the twists, which I appreciate not having predicted, made the rest of the story not make sense. It created many plot holes and illogical elements regarding the characters. Also, I found myself slogging to get to the twist because one character was written so clearly to be made as the 'you should think it's this person who did it' suspect that it became too much to the point where you knew it WASN'T going to be them just because it was pushed too much.

All of my struggles considered, I (perhaps ironically) still had a good time with this. It's entertaining, it's melodramatic, it's a good mystery and has that fun multimedia-type element with the patient sessions. The twists do twist (even if in this one it makes things twist beyond reason/logic and believability), and I really enjoyed how things picked up and got a little wild towards the end with everything that happened. I did really enjoy Dr. Hale's character, too, and some of the side characters. The reveals kept coming once they started, taking the story in lots of new directions; so, as much as the twists muddled the story, there were multiple, and they were surprising.

I'm not sure whether I'd totally recommend this one, and I definitely enjoyed The Intruder more, but I'll still pick up more from the author as quick, engaging stories with some twists.

4.25

Thank you to The Nerd Fam and M.S. Masood for the eARC to read and review!

This had me HOOKED from start to finish. It plunges you headfirst into the conflict, action, emotions, and fast pace, which I loved.

The world building was fantastic, and you can truly feel the tension between the Vuorians and the Unnamed (truly just between the Vuorians and everything/everyone outside the Keep/Citadel) through the characters and politics. I was always compelled to learn more about it and how relationships, the economy, politics, all of it functioned.

Following the story as Reim and the healer make a deal and start changing the kingdom kept my attention peaked, and I loved their 'deal' and the book that comes into play. I found myself wanting that storyline (with the book and all that it added to the story) to come into play more because it was so interesting!

There is a big focus on the characters - correspondingly, they had incredible depth! Reim is frustrating, but it's because she's real. She feels inadequate because she's grown up being told that she is, that she is a curse, is weak, is unlovable and not fit to rule. She's been marked as 'different' by the very people who are supposed to support her. That said, she avoids getting close to people and struggles a lot with allowing and believing in others loving her while simultaneously being desperate for it. Following the issues this causes as her relationship with the healer develops was frustrating but, again, real. She struggles to trust that she's not just being used, and I could feel her anxiety while still wanting to shake her. I also really admired her. Despite all this insecurity and her fear about speaking out against the "Order" she's grown up with, she does it anyway - she acts according to what she believes is right and just, regardless of the continued backlash. She makes a change because she knows it's right, even if it's hard.

And the healer, ugh, my heart. I adored him. His compassion, his truth, his vulnerability, his care, his protection. He's such a selfless character who is at once lonely and also shrouded in adoration from others. While guarded, he trusts and loves with his full self, his whole heart. He wants nothing more than to bring change to the kingdom for the good of everyone. He is not afraid to be bold and speak out, to protect those he loves.

The romance between them is a slow burn that I was itching and rooting for the whole time! I also really enjoyed the side characters (shoutout to sifr)!

There's such great commentary and themes in this story, as well. So, it's not only a great story, but also an important one. It absolutely speaks to prejudice, fear, and unjust power. It speaks to oppression, the impact of names, the danger and cruelty of marking people as 'others' and treating them differently, of encroaching on and stealing land, history, and identity. Despite these harder, darker messages, it is also hopeful. Through the story and characters, there is the hope of change, of something different. There is a reinforcement of doing what is right to bring about good change even when everything, everyone, and all that you may have known or been told seems to be against you. Again, just a great story with great messages.

The ending was fantastic and I did NOT see it coming! It absolutely makes me ache for the next book!

Briefly, here's what didn't work for me:

• I did want a bit more explanation/clarity about certain aspects about the world and some characters (this may be expanded in the second book, but I felt that some details would have been good to establish in this first one).
• While I loved the fast pace, I wanted a little more time with/development of some pivotal moments. I also wanted more of the book that comes into play, as it seemed to drive the plot's premise but only came to the fore at the end.
• Sometimes I found Reim's contradictory feelings hard to follow, and there was one aspect of the 'deal' made with the healer that didn't seem logical in the way she approaches it towards the last 1/3.

4.25

This was SUCH a great snowed-in mystery/thriller!

I was absolutely hooked from beginning to end. The multiple timelines and perspectives worked so well and were crafted perfectly. As much as it jumps around, the story is still so cohesive and addictive. Usually multiple timelines or POVs can end up with me preferring one over the other[s] and finding myself dragging through my less-preferred sections, but every perspective was equally gripping in this one.

Following the 2000 timeline, when the crime[s] took place, had me hooked on the investigation, the clues, the evidence and suspects. In the present day timeline, I was compelled to find out more about the child, about the woman lost in the snow, about Wiley trying to not only survive but also figure out what happened to the child. Finally, in the sections told from the little girl's POV, I was absolutely enthralled to simply just learn about her and her mother's entrapment in the basement; figuring out more about their imprisoned lives, the girl's father, and their survival. Perhaps the little girl's POV was my favorite, so technically I did have a preferred one, but still each different timelines and POV kept my attention just the same!

The pacing is perfect - not slow, not rapid, but just right. Everything unfolds at a speed that gives you time to sit with the new details and events, to ponder up and explore theories along with the characters, and then to meet the next new addition or twist/reveal with a good foundation. That said, I was able to guess quite a few of the reveals/twists, but I still enjoyed following it all as it unfolded.

There is a big cast of characters, but each is distinct and I enjoyed following them all! As for the main characters (Wiley, the woman, and the little girl), I found myself invested in and caring for them. I wanted to learn more about them and was rooting for them; I wanted them to be safe and loved. I think each had good development!

The mystery/crime itself was super compelling, too! From getting to see the crime itself take place to following the investigators, I was always wanting to know more and figure out the truth.

The ending was super heart wrenching and heartwarming - loved it!

All of this said, there were some things that didn't totally work for me:

• I was able to guess quite a few of the reveals/twists (though I still enjoyed following it all unfold)
• Some aspects didn't seem fully closed up by the end (primarily Brock Cutter and Levi)
• The 'why' behind the 'who' wasn't fully explained or satisfying to me (there is indications as to a surface level 'why,' but the actual reasoning and connections to what was done and the 'why' aren't really clear)
• Wylie's decisions were frustrating at times and didn't seem to always align with common sense