Not quite hitting the spot

When the story is actually happening it's interesting. I found it hard to get past what could only be described as a heavy peppering of really bad poetry at every emotive opportunity.

This book had a lot of good ideas but I find myself looking at it like a cake someone decorated poorly, thinking what a shame. At least it tastes nice.

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7 people found this helpful

Great idea for story

I felt the narrative was excellent and really aided the story
This book focuses on Hope who is forgotten by all who meet her as soon as she cannot be seen. This is a wonderful take on life and I found it interesting to consider.
At the start of the book we learn that from her teenage years Hope Arden is ‘forgotten’ by her family acquaintances and everyone else. As a result Hope ventures off alone excelling as a thief. Hope makes contact with a rich beautiful woman using the phone App ‘Perfection’. When the woman dies in mysterious circumstances Hope is determined to close down ‘Perfection’ in retribution.
‘Perfection’ is an app telling its followers what to do eat where to go. Points are given when the instructions are followed.
It was interesting to see Hope’s story mingling with her desire for revenge. The middle of the book did drag a bit and could have (in my opinion) been edited more
Its very difficult to take in that as soon as someone looses sight of Hope they have no knowledge of ever seeing her.
I would definitely look out for next book by this author and would recommend it.

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2 people found this helpful

Fascinating concept

Brilliant book, engaging, couldn't wait to finish it and definitely recommend. Great performance by the narrator.

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Not quite sure

The book itself seems really good, it's just the fact that the book itself doesn't seem to match to my taste. When I read the synopsis, I was hoping the story would focus on how The main character hope lives on a day to Day basis, and the challenges she faces, such as getting a job, dating, and other such things. Whilst all these things are mentioned in the book, the story seems to be more of a mystery or a thriller than just an interesting piece of fiction, which is good, but not really something I'm interested in, especially with the book being so long. I'll probably come back to it later, but I'd rather move on to a book with a plot that holds my interest instead at this moment. This is the advice I give to customers who just prefer stories that focus more on realistic issues and character development instead of drilling mysteries and heists, as you may be a bit disappointed. To anyone who is into that kind of thing though, I'd highly recommend the book, as it is truly seeming to be a good book.

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2 people found this helpful

Really thought provoking

I really enjoyed the book, thought twice about listening to it on audible, but I loved it and think Gillian Burkes performance really enjoyable, the narrators voice makes an audible book come alive and she did that for this novel. It’s on my repeat list I took so much from it

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1 person found this helpful

Interesting idea worth a listen

liked it alot but not as good as other Claire North books. Narration by Gillian Burke first class.

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Disappointing

I like to read Claire north books and have read a few so far. this story is possibly the worst I've read. it is in no way a selection of her writing but more an opinion that the story lasted too long and in that time it was easy to lose what was going on. the ending was disappointing too and lacked to flair I ha e come to know from Claire's books. not for me but others may find its meandering appealing

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1 person found this helpful

North is a wonderful writer

This is probably not quite her very best, but still a cut above most contemporary fiction

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Brilliant - and a little frustrating

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August is probably my favorite novel of the last few years - I re-listened to it while waiting for the publication date of this one - and on balance I have found both this new book, the Gameshouse novellas and Touch terrifically entertaining but not quite up to the first book's brilliance. That said, I am setting a very high standard for Claire here, her writing is hugely inventive, her themes genre-defying and her knowledge astonishing.

There is certainly a formula that works for her. Her protagonists have some sort of supernatural "quirk" and go on rather glamorous - almost James Bond like - road trips around the world as the plot develops. This time I found that the combination of thriller and philosophical pondering about the nature of individuality didn't quite gell perfectly. The book luxuriates in its characters and although it is fairly fast paced in the main, some sections feel overlong.

That said, I'd still rather listen to a Claire North book that is not quite perfect than almost any other author, so perhaps I am being a little over critical.

The reader is well-chosen. Hope is of mixed race, and so is Gillian Burke. Her voice has a faint twang to it that is hard to place so that she gives the main character an other-worldly quality that is entirely appropriate. She only loses a star for a rather distracting Scottish accent towards the end of the book that might have been better left unattempted. Otherwise, I enjoyed her epic performance and I'd like to hear her read other books.

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6 people found this helpful

Interesting story but one flaw.....

A realty good concept and a great narrative with brilliant narration. However the whole premise of the story, which is unusual, defies attempts to get your head around. If you put that to one side, or get your head in the right space, it does work.

Really worth listening to and contemplating what it might mean for all of us if you're that way included. Enjoyable and worth investing the time to listen and think.

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4 people found this helpful