A man wakes up in a living room he doesn’t recognize, unable to remember anything about himself. All he has are the few remnants of his identity scattered throughout the house—clues to his past. He soon learns that he is Charles Lang, a brilliant scientist whose wife, Julie, and daughter, Jess, mysteriously disappeared several years ago. Soon, he begins to recover memories—memories that may or may not be his own—and as he does, he realizes that only by uncovering the details of his former life will he have any hope of being reunited with Julie and Jess.
A haunting tale of love and longing, fate and free will, and the easily blurred lines between fiction and reality, Glass Shatters explores the risks of trying to reinvent oneself, and the dangers of pushing science to its limits.
So I finished this book a few days ago and am finally going to try to accurately provide a review without giving too much away. When the book starts, we are introduced to a man who wakes up in an old decaying home, who has no idea who he is, and whose head is bandaged from numerous injuries. Fairly quickly, with the help of a neighbor and her daughter, he learns he is Charles Lang, a world famous scientist. Charles begins unraveling who he is, what caused the disappearance of his wife and daughter 2 years ago, and whether or not he played a part in their absence. That's about all that can be revealed without spoiling anything. Oh, and there is a cute cat named Einstein (coming from a dog person, that's a huge compliment).
I really enjoyed this book although if someone were to recommend it to me, I would probably pass. At one point my update for about 66 pages in was "What the heck." That says a lot. I did not initially find Charles a likable character, but I still wanted to learn more about him. I did enjoy his interaction with his neighbor and her daughter, as well as an old childhood friend, and was glad that he was at least kind to the old man living in his house, even though he had no idea his identity. The book alternates between the present and the past, which is how the mystery unfolds. Meyers writing flows very smoothly and I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. While I don't know that it rates a 5 star read for me, it is definitely well written and unlike anything else I have recently read.
"Glass Shatters" is a relatively short book and well worth the time it takes to read it. I would recommend it for anyone who likes thrillers/mysteries and science fiction. Although, truth be told, I'm not sure what genre it is considered. I hope people give this book a chance because as I mentioned, I would never have believed I would have enjoyed it, but I really did. Meyers knows how to do "weird" and "odd" the right way.
I received this book from the publisher and Netgalley, courtesy of Book Sparks.
A fast-paced and compelling read. Once started, I found it difficult to stop until I finished it. Every time, I thought I had a glimpse of what was happening, another twist appeared in this unusual plot. Meyers has captured the horror of losing those we love with the added dimension of the scientific experimentation world. Read my review http://bit.ly/1r4iUY4
This was the story of a man whose wife and daughter are missing. He wakes up with no memory and slowly pieces fall into place. It was a very interesting story. I can say the plot took a completely different direction than I thought it would. I read this book in one day. Once you get started it is hard to put down.
4.5 stars I really had absolutely no clue where this book was going, but it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. I think that’s what made this plot twist so much better. The only reason I’m not giving this one a 5 star rating is because I felt like the very ending was rushed and could’ve ended a bit differently. I’m still trying to wrap my head around what I just read, and I feel like I’ll be thinking about this book for a while.
A solid psychological thriller with a scientific twist. Suspenseful and well done. A little disappointing in the conclusion maybe it was a matter of expectations. Not to give anything away, but if it had been niched into sci-fi instead of literary genre so I knew what to expect or what lens to view from, I might be more adulatory.
At first this book did not seem to be my cup of tea, yet there were fragments of thins that I read that intrigued me. Just like Charles' memories. Also, Iris and Ava, Charles's neighbors. It was nice that Charles had an adult friend in Iris and the child like innocents of Ava. However the more I read the more I started to become invested in Charles' life. Even though I did not know Julie and his daughter, Jess before their disappearance in his life, as I read and became familiar with them I felt the love that Charles had for them both and their love for him.
In the beginning the back and forward switching from past to present to past past too a little getting used to the flow and I was not as interested in the past as I was the present, yet I found my groove and every time I read more about the past it was like finding another piece of the puzzle. The end result was a good one although it might have been a little bit of a slow journey. I would read another book by this author.
This book started a bit slow to me at first. After a few chapters it took off. Telling the story of a man who wakes up and does not recognize his surroundings at all. After awhile memories start coming back, but are they actually his memories? Reading the book will give you those answers.
As the story goes on that is the premise, as Charles delves deeper into his memories and with the help of coworkers he finally finds the answers he is looking for. Glass Shatters is definitely one of those novels that can be categorized as a mystery/ sci fi/ thriller. I don't think it fits into exclusively into any of those genres, kind of all mixed into the three genres. I found the story to be very interesting, plausible and believable what with the advances in science, anything is possible.
I received a copy of the book to read from BookSparks for my honest thoughts.
This book most definitely lives up to its genre of thriller. There are surprises at every turn--just when you think you have a hold on what is going on, something happens that you were definitely not expecting and you are once again at a loss.
The book moves back and forth between the past and the present, as Charles has memories which may or may not be true. It is a well-written mystery, a tragic love story, and a tale of scientific ethics.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery, suspense and/or thriller. I also hope the author will have another book like this out soon.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
Glass Shatters is a fantastic read by first time novelist Michelle Meyers. I couldn’t put this book down. It reminded me a lot of something that Paul Auster or Haruki Murakami would have written. I loved almost everything about this book, although the ending felt a little rushed. The story jumps between the present and past as Charles remembers past memories that may or may not be true. This book has everything. It is a great mystery and love story. It even delves into the ethics of science. This is a wild ride, something you might see on the Twilight Zone. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to see what Meyers writes next.
Wow, I mean... just WOW. I love an unreliable narrator and this one did not disappoint. The story is not chronological, so it was very difficult to see any of the twists coming, and boy, there are some insane twists. I read it ages after reading the blurb (they're never included in ebooks for some reason), so I went in blind, which made it 10x better, seriously, so read the blurb, read reviews and totally forget this book exists for a while then don't even glance at the blurb, you'll thank me later. I was as clueless as our amnesiac narrator, so I experienced every little revelation right alongside him, and there were some WHOPPERS. I can't even describe the experience. I kept trying to put a timeline together, keep track of the things WE had learned, figure out the mystery and I foresaw so little. I firmly believe that had I refreshed my memory of the blurb, I would have found it far more predictable... So buy this book, tape paper over the blurb with a note to yourself not to look, then leave it deep in your to-read pile and only once you've forgotten the premise beyond the amnesiac idea, read it and go on an amazing journey. You will be wowed, you will be shattered, you will feel a great sense of awe for Meyers' ability to write something so incredible.
A gem among hidden gems. This book is a good reminder that Goodreads ratings are essentially meaningless. Sure, this book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s a bit weird and not action-packed, but man is it well written. It’s about the atmosphere. There is a pervasive feeling of creepiness and suspense that is subtle but compelling. The mystery unravels slowly and just as yon think all questions have been answered, there’s more. To top of all off, the emotional element was absolutely gut wrenching. This is one of those books that was impossible to put down and will leave a lasting impression. My only complaint is that I would have loved for it to be longer!
Glass Shatters is a beautify written science fiction mystery story which explores grief and reaction to loss, identity and blind scientific ambition. Readers who enjoyed the movie "Moon" or the Netflix series "The Frankenstein Chronicles" might enjoy this book. Haunting, tragic, thought provoking and literary.
I really enjoyed this. I can't even think of a bad thing to say. It keeps you guessing, which isn't easy for me. It's a captivating, creepy, and intelligent story. Characters are really well done, the pacing and timeline jumping just all fit together.
Charles Lang is, by all accounts, a famous and gifted scientist. Sadly, he has no memory of who he is, what he's been doing for the past few months or years, or even where he's been. The only thing he does seem to remember is that his wife and daughter have disappeared in Glass Shatters by Michelle Meyers.
Charles is, or rather was, a renowned scientist in the fields of biotechnology and bioengineering. As his story is gradually revealed, we learn that he had disappeared for six months. His neighbors, Iris and her daughter Ava, have missed him and are glad for his return. Charles realizes that he has only vague memories of these two, as well as vague memories of his life before his disappearance. As he begins to reacquaint himself with his past, he begins to have memories of his wife Julie and his daughter Jess. But these memories seem almost false as if he's remembering on behalf of someone else. As he tries to rationalize his memories with what he's being told, he also has a mysterious roommate; an older gentleman that he initially presumes is his father. Memories gradually return and he realizes his parents died when he was just eighteen-years-old, so this person can't be his father, but who is he? The more Charles uncovers, the more he feels that things are off. The more questions he answers, the more questions arise. Where are Julie and Jessica? Whose memories is he remembering? Who exactly is he?
Glass Shatters was a relatively fast-paced read, but one that kept me off-balanced from beginning to end. It is highly probable that Ms. Meyers has done this intentionally in an effort to keep the reader as off-balanced as the main character. Charles's story is revealed in alternating glimpses of the past and the present. One minute we're dealing with the thirty-four-year-old Charles and the next he's eight, thirty-one, twenty-three, eighteen, four, etc. It isn't until the last few chapters that Ms. Meyer's reveals all and it is quite the shocker (no, I'm not going to tell you what happens . . . read the book!). Glass Shatters is part mystery, part psychological thriller, and part science-fiction. Am I glad I read it? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Well, I'm still trying to decide simply because this was a vastly different read for me (okay, I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either). This confusion isn't because Glass Shatters is such a mash-up of genres or even that it was told in alternating past and present; it's more because of the strange ending. Yes, it makes sense when you read it and provides closure, but it is still a little strange and came at me from left field. In the end, I can say that if you're looking for a quick read that offers something vastly different from most mystery-thrillers, then you'll definitely want to grab a copy of Glass Shatters to read. Although I'm still up in the air about liking this book, I look forward to reading more from Ms. Meyers in the future.
A digital review copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. This review originally posted on www.thebookdivasreads.com.
When I first started reading this book, I was thinking that it just wasn't going to be my kind of thing. As I kept reading, the book became more intriguing so I kept reading...
We learn first about Charles, who wakes up having no idea who he is or why his head is bandaged from numerous injuries. With the help of a neighbor, Iris, and her daughter Ava, he learns he is Charles Lang, and that he is a world famous and brilliant scientist. Charles's story is revealed in alternating glimpses of the past and the present.
Charles begins to have memories of his wife Julie and his daughter Jess. and starts to unravel the reason why they disappeared 2 years go. He begins to wonder whether or not he played a part in their absence. To reveal much more about the plot of this book would be a spoiler, so what I'll say is that this book kept my attention with its twists and turns from cover to cover. It seemed to drag just a bit in the middle, but picked up before it was a problem for me.
My only warning: be prepared for a strange ending. I'm not telling you if "strange" means good, bad, weird, shocking, normal or whatever - I'm just saying strange. You read it and let me know what you think!
Glass Shatters is a relatively short book (228 pages in my paperback copy). It's well worth the time it takes to read it. Overall, I'd say I read it in two sessions over the course of two days, If you are big on thrillers/mysteries with a touch of sci-fi and a touch of love story, this is a book for you. Author Michelle Meyers did a great job with this book.
Thanks to BookSparks and She Writes Press for the advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review as part of their Blog Tour!
She Writes Press is a kind of incubator publisher dedicated to publishing women based solely on the quality of their writing. I wasn't disappointed with the first book I read from She Writes Press (you can read my review here) and I wasn't with another title they've published, Glass Shatters. Michelle Meyers's story is part Frankenstein and part Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde--throw in a little amnesia and you'll see right away that this is out-of-the-box reading for me.
We meet Charles waking up on the couch, confused. A young neighbor rings the doorbell with an invitation from her mother for dinner that night. Except that Charles doesn't remember the little girl's name (Ava), nor does he realize he's been gone for six months until she tells him so. Then there is the business of his gauze-wrapped head and several obvious incisions. There's an old man scuffling wordlessly around the house, skulking in the shadows. And the fact that all of the picture frames in his house are empty.
Gradually, Charles pieces together his story. He learns he is a renowned biologist who was on the brink of a possible breakthrough--and might have discovered the secret of immortality. That his wife and daughter had disappeared several months earlier. When the head of the lab where he worked welcomes him back without a single question, Charles returns to his work in cell transdifferentiation. We learn what has happened to Charles right along with him in a series of dreams that slowly unravel his memory.
Glass Shatters is a chilling story asks us to consider whether or not, when it comes to controlling the origins of life, we need to ask how far is too far. This is one you won't soon forget. [read more at www.thisismysymphony.net]
A man wakes up and has no idea who he is and his head wrapped in bandages.. He finds out that he is Charles Lang, a brilliant scientist and his family has inexplicably disappeared. He sets out on a quest to find out what happened to him and his family. I really enjoyed this novel. It is like nothing I have read before. I have found that I can usually predict twists in a plot before they happen. With this novel, I had not idea of where it was going to go next. It was definitely a deep novel that makes you question what is ethical and what is sane. I found the beginning and ending fast paced. It did drag a little in the middle but the ending more then made up for that. Would recommend for those that love a good psychological thriller.
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
First-time novelist with an intriguing idea and a semi-uninspired title.
I just finished reading this. Don't know how to quite review it without giving anything away, so I'll be vague. There are some nice twists and turns, all of which make perfect sense once you get to the end. That's a rare and pleasant occurrence in and of itself. The central mystery of the book and the emotional power of the book also tie together brilliantly. This was a great book. Very well-structured and executed almost flawlessly. I look forward to reading this again in a year or so to see how it holds up upon multiple readings. Also look forward to her next novel.
What I thought would be a mystery/thriller book ended up being a mystery/thriller with an interesting sci fi twist. I don't tend to read much sci fi, but this was still rooted in the mystery feel, so I sort of enjoyed the amount of science fiction in this book.
Charles Lang wakes up and doesn't know where he is, who he is or what is going on around him. With a young girl and woman as a neighbor who seem familiar and an old man roaming around his home. Hopefully his neighbors can help him find the truth.
This one was probably more like 2.5 but I'm going off of what the star ratings actually say in Goodreads and for me this was just ok. I found it a bit difficult to connect with any of the characters so it was hard to care about anything that happened to them. Overall I think it's a compelling idea and the writing was enjoyable to read. Just maybe didn't land for me.
This book by first-time novelist Michelle Meyers is really awesome - I could NOT put it down. The mystery, sci-fi-ness, love story, and suspense was all so expertly woven into a really great book that I heartily recommend. I loved the way the book was set up, as well, moving back and forth from current happenings to memories, leaving something continually lurking beyond the next page. I look forward to the next books this author writes!
This book was pretty good. It wasn't predictable and the author was very good at making you feel slightly off-balance (which is needed in a mystery). I will say that sometimes the language was a bit too flowery and would take me out of the story, but this didn't happen often enough to turn me away from the story. I kinda wish the whole Iris/Ava thing would've been solved, but the rest of the questions were tied up nicely. Overall, pretty good. That's how I felt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What would you do if you woke up and didn't know who you were? That is what happens to the main character in Glass Shatters. If you like thrillers/mysteries with science fiction thrown in, check out this book. I really enjoyed it and it will make you think about how far science can be pushed.
Thank you to BookSparks for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very different story for me. It was mystery, but with a sci-fi twist. I found it a quick read. I was satisfied with the story, though it was a little confusing at times. I think I would recommend it to a reader that enjoys sci-fi. As a mystery reader, I did not enjoy it as much. Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to try this book.
Kind of difficult to follow his train of thought. In the end the narrator/author is found to be mentally unstable and most of the book is his thoughts not reality. Quite a bummer read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book blew my mind. I had some ideas, but never got anything 100% correct. The ending made me just stop and think. I am still not sure as to what happened, but I am good with it!