libraryoftori
I feel like the author was so desperate for readers to believe her red herring that she ignored the all set up for the actual twist.
From chapter seven I was angry that I was being spoon fed these very coincidental “clues” and then I ended even angrier because we are literally in the MC's head for the whole book and only at the magical point of the twist does she suddenly reveal she knows so much more information than she let on. Girl has literally been in the house so many times yet acts like it's the first time she's seen it?? She's listening to herself and yet acts like she doesn't know who it is. She put herself in this very specific situation and acts like she can't wait to get out. And it would make sense if it was third person pov but we are literally reading her thoughts like it does not work!
The more I think about it the more mad I get. Don't deliberately mislead your readers just to have a shock reveal. It's a shock because it doesn't make any sense.
I started this review with a two star rating but you know what? It deserves a one.
I want to give the first half of this book a 3 and the last like 30% a 5 so we've settled on 4.5 stars.
For the hype around this one I thought it would be so much better than ACOTAR and I think that's where I got let down. Don't mistake me, it is better than ACOTAR - the world building and character development and even the plot had a lot more depth but it was just that little bit too overhyped.
I think my biggest problem was with the pacing. The first part of the book was such a snooze fest I'm so sorry I didn't give a shit about her being in the spring court and her inner turmoil about leaving Tamlin literally was such a drag. Also why do I need to be told every time she changes into leggings and an oversized sweater? I just feel like so much could've been shortened for better pacing leading up to the climax. But I have to give it to SJM, the ending was so good. Like she really knows how to tie it all together and leave you wanting more and I'm so keen to read the next book. I just hope the pacing gets better because those books are thickkkkkk
This was so so fun!
I was so pleased with how well rounded the characters were and how much I found myself really caring for them (before their inevitable deaths) - for a novella, I feel like that's pretty hard to do but McAuley did it so well.
I also really enjoyed the lore behind the Candy Cain Killer and the fact that there was real reason behind their killings.
Literally the perfect Christmas slasher - fun, festive, gory, and lowkey emotional?
Thank you so much to Shortwave Publishing for providing me with the eARC! Candy Cain Kills by Brian McAuley will be released 14 November 2023.
