layawaydragon
Written on Jan 17, 2017
A rocky start but it pays off in the end as an entertaining, thrilling scary read. However, the representation of mental illness might be questionable as it is outside of my experience. The physical disability though was painfully accurate.
The Gist:
➜Didn’t immediately grab me
➜Almost put it down and didn’t come back after Jake and Bullseye’s downfall
➜Was really confused with the switch to their honeymoon and hated Jake the paranoid stalker of his wife
➜The Russian aspect is especially terrifying given current events
➜Did not see any of the twists coming
➜Not much action until the last 25% or so
➜The ending is amazing, made up for the lackluster beginning
➜Jake is paranoid, used to be on medication, and his symptoms start coming back. I don’t remember a specific diagnosis though. I’m not sure how well the representation is though because I’ve never had this specific issue. It seems accurate from my outsider perspective as I saw from my mother’s ex. But just saying that makes me nervous. I could be completely wrong.
➜“Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you”
➜I do like the inclusion of the later physical ailments and limitations. That’s entirely accurate from my chronic pain experience and my mother’s, who's had 4 surgeries up and down her spine. It highlights what often taken for granted and never think about, like how a wheelchair means freedom, not confinement.
➜The last puzzle was very clever and fit perfectly
➜The change of POV and epilogue were chilling and a great way to end the story.
➜It’s wrapped up so if you don’t want to continue, you don’t have to, but leaves enough open that a follow up won’t be a stretch.