Stockholm Syndrome by Richard Rider
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF at 11%. I've tried. I had actually wanted to go beyond 20% to see if things would work out for me and if the writing would improve, but unfortunately it kept grating on my nerves ever since page one. I might try again if I have nothing better to do.

What didn't work for me:

1) Writing Style - it sucks!
- The narrative structure is a mangled piece of framework. To sum up, it was inarticulate.
- Spent half of the time trying to figure out who is talking, who said what. It's a major distraction, a story flow breaker.

2) Characterization - also sucks!
- Absence/lack of motivations in the characters makes it hard to understand them or make sense of their action and rationality. They are so daft it's a pain to read on. I felt like putting a bullet into Lindsay and Pip's empty heads.
- They have zero common sense and the things they do is utterly unreasonable. Brainless bunch really.
- Exaggerated reactions like wanting to pass out just from someone licking cum off his fingers. One would think the poor guy was locked in chastity for eons.

3) Far-Fetched Storyline
- Just too many unrealistic situations to recount. Conflicts was resolved so sloppily that it does not make any sense.
- I am SO not buying the attraction between Lindsay and Pip. This is not even instant-attraction it's sudden-attraction.

Okay so these are the reasons I couldn't go on reading. Besides that the so called sexy scene in the car at the beach gave me goosebumps. Not in a good way kind. Ugh! Pip is just so slutty and Lindsay was behaving like an overexcited fumbling teenager.

I would have to have the willpower of a saint to re-attempt this book again. I am still puzzling over all those 5 stars ratings. What really happened? Why all the rave and hype? Damnit! I am still curious bout this and I am dying to find out for myself. If only I could push on.



* Reviewed on May 27th, 2014

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Purified by Brian Robert Smith My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Recommended to Kynthos-the-Archer by: This is a Review Copy

Read from March 19 to 21, 2014 — I own a copy, read count: 1

Purified has a promising premise and theme, I loved the prose and I believe it could have been great if it wasn't for the weaknesses in the plotting and characterization. I find it difficult to relate to the characters as I felt their motivations and behaviours are unrealistic. It made me constantly question their actions and reasonings. This is sad because I really do like the premise alot and it failed all because of a wonky execution.

If you wonder about the details to my conclusion especially the part about the plotting, please read this review because I wholly agree with that reviewer -- She. Nailed. It. Although please be warn that the review in the link is somewhat spoilerish.



* Reviewed on March 29th, 2014

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* The author contacted me and extended this Review Copy to me for reviewing purpose.

P/S: I am not going to say I got this book in return for an honest review, because I think the word 'honest' here has been raped and exploited many times over. I am dead tired of it. I deemed that word redundant in a review disclaimer.


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