BOOK REVIEW – Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan

Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

I’m the daughter of murdered parents.
I’m the friend of a dead girl.
I’m the lover of my enemy.
And I will have my revenge.

In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process.

DNF 55% – The truth is, I don’t even care how it ends.

I know something is wrong when I’m able to stop reading at 55% without waiting for the end, especially given the fact that it’s a thriller. A fucking thriller and I can’t bring myself to go on because … well, that’s what we’re gonna see, okay?

▧ Reason 1 : The writing is giving me a headache.

✘ SO. MUCH. TELLING, I can’t even. Indeed while I completely understand the need to show how Frances is a master of manipulation, strangely all these braggings about her ability to deceive people aren’t convincing me at all. No, because I’m too busy being annoyed as fuck. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that the fact she is supposed to be a manipulative revenge bitch is annoying, not at all. In the contrary, that’s what I was seeking out here, so no, it’s not what bothers me. Nope. What aggravates me is the fact that there is TELLING everywhere, and never SHOWING.

► Frankly, it can be read like a fucking textbook.

✔ Lesson 1 : How to appear embarrassed
“Keeping my head ducked, I bite my lipe and squinch my eyes closed, as thought I’m too embarrassed to face him.”

✔ Lesson 2 : How to appear vulnerable
“I cross my arms over my chest, cupping my elbows in my palms and allowing my shoulders to hunch so that I take up less physical space. It makes me appear vulnerable and weak.”

✔ Lesson 3 : How to appear awkward
“His shoulders relax a bit, my apparent awkwardness having done the trick of easing the tension.”

✔ Lesson 4 : How to appear unsure
“No.” I twist my lips, ensuring that the uncertainty of my tone undermines the response.”

✔ Lesson 5 : How to appear overwhelmed
“My breathing’s a bit ragged, my chin trembling as though I’m overwhelmed.”

► Are you tired yet? I am tired yet.

I don’t want to read a textbook. I want to read a STORY. Frances, a master of deceiption? Not convinced.

✘ REPETITIONS. Sometimes it made me think that I was supposed to be stupid, you know. So, I’m writing it here : I don’t need a refresher every second. I got it right the first time, thank you very much. Perhaps if I did these thoughts wouldn’t have crossed my mind : I was here. I know. You already said it. Yes, I know. Stop repeating yourself. Just stop. Please, stop. Oh come on!

▧ Reason 2 : I can’t suspend my disbelief anymore.

Let’s overlook the fact that Frances can pretend to be Libby without nobody finding out (view spoiler)[except one person, so far (hide spoiler)]. I’d like to believe that nobody could take my place so easily (even my own sister, and we look alike… Kind of), but… Anyway, let’s be generous and overlook this.

Here’s the thing : I can’t buy this so-called 2 weeks love-story at fourteen. There. I said it. Frances is going on and on about how intense it was and how touching Grey again brings so many memories and feelings and OMG it’s so heartbreaking and intense –

– Except it’s not. Except I’m rolling my eyes something fierce. Because come on.

This : “I have the sudden urge to rest my cheek against his leg, to let the edge of my lips press again the soft flesh inside his knee. To see if he tastes the same as he did four years ago. I’m almost dizzy at the force of my own resistance.”

This is ridiculous. I’m not buying. The fact is, Grey is her enemy and she intends to make him pay. In my opinion there aren’t near enough reasons to be torn between her revenge and her “love” attraction for him. Nope. Not after 2 weeks at 14. Sorry. I might be an old nasty bitch after all.

► Okay. I’m pretty sure that I just gave a 1 star rating to a book which will be part of many favorite lists, and when I reread the blurb, really, I can understand why – it sounds fascinating, and no, everything isn’t bad in this book and that’s not what I’m saying. But while I can only hope that it won’t be the case for you, to me the way the story was executed felt flat and frankly? I was so bored I can’t bring myself to finish. So yeah – maybe don’t take my word for it and go read other reviews. The only thing I can say is ME, Anna, didn’t like it, and I’m not going to feel sorry for that.

*shrug*

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