Saturday, August 19, 2017

Review: We Were Swans

Author: G.J. Freeman
Started reading: August 1st 2017
Finished the book: August 3rd 2017
Pages: 368
Genres: Thriller
Published: February 25th 2017
Source: Got a digital copy from the author
Goodreads score: Not enough ratings
My score:
Synopsis
Tom and Sacha are ordinary people. They have no special skills which they are forced to resurrect, they aren't retired CIA or former Assassins. There are no puffs of smoke, no trapdoors, no sliding walls to swish magically open revealing a startling array of weaponry. They are normal people, like you and me.
Until their 3 year old child is abducted and murdered by teenage freaks, as a game, a joke, or at least, that's how it played out in court. In the style of the feral underbelly of modern society, these vile, sick delinquents even film what they did on a mobile phone. Eight years later, they're out, their debt written off, ready to begin their lives as blithely as they destroyed yours. That can't be how this ends. If it were me and I were given the opportunity offered to Tom, would I take it? Yes. In a heartbeat. Could I do it? I'd like to think so. But here's the thing. Would you? Could you?




My thoughts
The fact that I get review requests from authors makes me stumble upon books that surprise me! And that's what I like about a Bookblogger, to read unknown books and find this little gem in the huge pile of books that are around these days. They say don't judge a book by it's cover, and that's how I would define this book. It's a story about love, loss and most of all; revenge. It's maybe a bit far-fetched, but if you're willing to just go with it, you would probably like it!

Pros
  • Cover makes sense: This cover makes sense once you've read the book. I didn't get it at all when I first saw the cover and it even felt kinda weird, but I understand now! I like the choice to put the ladybug-mitten on the cover.
  • Good pacing: You just get dropped into the story and the pacing is great. The book is 368 pages long, but it doesn't feel that way, because something is going on all the time. I think the book shouldn't be shorter, it would strip away some parts of the book and it shouldn't be longer, because it would drag out the story. It's exactly the right length, and that's something that's hard to achieve in my opinion!
  • Well thought through: The main part of the book is about revenge and since this book contains pretty smart people, you don't go out and just murder somebody with all the traces and DNA and all. The way the main character is going into this is very clever and really well thought through.
  • Satisfying ending: I liked the ending! It's about more than just this main character and his feelings, after all. It gave me a pretty satisfying feeling! Can't tell you too much, because I do hope some people will try this book and pick it up.
Cons
  • Cover: Don't judge a book by it's cover, I know. I'm just a sucker for a good cover. I think that if a graphic designer would make something beautiful with the ladybug-mitten, the book would seem more appealing. I won't judge the book on itself by the cover, because I liked it and gave it 4 apples, but the cover just doesn't fit the great book that's inside.
  • Feels unfinished: The book doesn't have chapters and it feels kinda unfinished to me. There are no acknowledgements and stuff like that. It's a pity, really! The book could use a little polishing to attract more readers.
Overall
I do need to point out that this is not a book for people who want to read a sappy-lovemaking-hearts-and-flowers-book. I like those once in awhile, but don't pick this one up if you want that. This book is about feelings, raw feelings, loss, revenge and hate and doing anything to achieve your goal.
I was surprised by the book and actually liked the way it stands out because of all those raw feelings and emotions. The way this book slowly unfolds.. I felt like this:

What's your opinion on the "not-standard" genres in books?