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Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know Trilogy #1
Alvina Skyggesøster
Alvina Knightly. Ucensureret. Ude af kontrol. Uforglemmelig.
Beth og Alvina er enæggede tvillinger. De ligner hinanden på en prik, men er som dag og nat. Beth er gift med en flot, rig italiener, bor i en luksusvilla på Sicilien og har altid været deres mors favorit. Alvina bor på et værelse i London, drikker lidt for meget og bruger uforholdsmæssigt meget tid på Tinder og Twitter.
Da Alvina bliver fyret og smidt ud af sin lejlighed, siger hun ja til at besøge Beth på Sicilien. Her beder Beth en aften Alvina om at være stand-in for sig, så hun kan slippe ubemærket ud af villaen nogle timer. Da Beth den følgende morgen bliver fundet død på bunden af poolen, indser Alvina, at hun nu har en ideel mulighed for at træde ud af sin søsters skygge og få det liv, hun har ønsket sig. Hun opdager dog hurtigt, at det er sværere end som så at være Beth. For hvad skjulte hun for sin mand? Og hvorfor inviterede hun overhovedet Alvina til Sicilien i første omgang?
Skyggesøster er første del af Chloé Espositos trilogi om Alvina Knightly – en spændingsfyldt fortælling om jalousi, bedrag og hemmeligheder med en vild og original antiheltinde i centrum. Trilogien er solgt til udgivelse i mere end 25 lande, og filmrettighederne er solgt til produktionsselskabet bag Fifty Shades of Grey-filmene.
Beth og Alvina er enæggede tvillinger. De ligner hinanden på en prik, men er som dag og nat. Beth er gift med en flot, rig italiener, bor i en luksusvilla på Sicilien og har altid været deres mors favorit. Alvina bor på et værelse i London, drikker lidt for meget og bruger uforholdsmæssigt meget tid på Tinder og Twitter.
Da Alvina bliver fyret og smidt ud af sin lejlighed, siger hun ja til at besøge Beth på Sicilien. Her beder Beth en aften Alvina om at være stand-in for sig, så hun kan slippe ubemærket ud af villaen nogle timer. Da Beth den følgende morgen bliver fundet død på bunden af poolen, indser Alvina, at hun nu har en ideel mulighed for at træde ud af sin søsters skygge og få det liv, hun har ønsket sig. Hun opdager dog hurtigt, at det er sværere end som så at være Beth. For hvad skjulte hun for sin mand? Og hvorfor inviterede hun overhovedet Alvina til Sicilien i første omgang?
Skyggesøster er første del af Chloé Espositos trilogi om Alvina Knightly – en spændingsfyldt fortælling om jalousi, bedrag og hemmeligheder med en vild og original antiheltinde i centrum. Trilogien er solgt til udgivelse i mere end 25 lande, og filmrettighederne er solgt til produktionsselskabet bag Fifty Shades of Grey-filmene.
476 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2017
155 people are currently reading
3219 people want to read
About the author
Chloé Esposito
3 books102 followersChloé Esposito vive em Londres com o marido e a filha. Formada em Letras pela universidade de Oxford, foi professora, assessora de direção e consultora de moda na Condé Nast. Louca é o seu primeiro romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 566 reviews
July 10, 2017
I hated this book. The characters had no redeeming characteristics and the plot had more holes in it than a colander.
June 21, 2017
4☆ The Title sums this book up perfectly! Loved it!
Mad is the first book in the Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know Trilogy.
Mad is the perfect name for this book.
It's jam packed with Craziness, lots of laugh out loud moments, each chapter incorporated one of the 7 deadly sins.....
Sloth, Envy, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony, Greed and Pride.
When Beth contacts her identical twin Alvina asking her to come visit her and her family in Sicily, Alvina has always said no. It's really the last place she wants to be.
See they don't get on and Beth has the perfect family and Alvina is just cruising through life.
But on this occasion Alvina finds herself at a loss. She's just lost her job and has no money and no home.
So she reluctantly agrees.
So when Alvina finally makes it too Beth's she really isn't expecting what Beth has in store for her.
I mean really not expecting it!
It's completely out of Beth's character..... she might as well be Alvina!!!! .... I mean that could happen....they are identical after all!!!
Trust me from here on you are in for a roller coaster of events. From murder, to mafia, to hit men.....its fast paced, completely MAD!! But totally addictive.
Is it believable?.... nope but it would make a great movie!
It really doesn't matter that it was so far from believable, because it stretched my imagination and I loved it.
Beth and Alvina just don't get on.
Beth is definitely the favourite twin which is why Alvina resents her so much.
Alvina has always lived in Beth's shadow. Never good enough, the one to always make mistakes.
For me I had a love/ hate opinion of Alvina she grated on me. But I could understand why she acted the way she did. Never being good enough, So she may as well become what everyone expected of her.
I loved how they wasn't your typical twins.
Yes they were identical.... But they really didn't get on.
I have twins in my family and they are best friends.
Plus my Nan was a twin and she had the Twin vibe and if one hurt themselves so would the other twin.
So for me this book was really different to see the other side to twins.
I really don't know how to sum this book up or even what genre it might fall into, as there really is so much going on.
So I guess you will just have to read it for yourselves to decide where it should be placed.
You definitely won't be disappointed. Once you open the pages you won't be able to stop
It's gripping, family jealousy,thriller, very funny, sexy, dangerous, and just crazy!
I also would just like to point out that this book contains a fair amount of Sex and Adult themes.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
Mad is the first book in the Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know Trilogy.
Mad is the perfect name for this book.
It's jam packed with Craziness, lots of laugh out loud moments, each chapter incorporated one of the 7 deadly sins.....
Sloth, Envy, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony, Greed and Pride.
When Beth contacts her identical twin Alvina asking her to come visit her and her family in Sicily, Alvina has always said no. It's really the last place she wants to be.
See they don't get on and Beth has the perfect family and Alvina is just cruising through life.
But on this occasion Alvina finds herself at a loss. She's just lost her job and has no money and no home.
So she reluctantly agrees.
So when Alvina finally makes it too Beth's she really isn't expecting what Beth has in store for her.
I mean really not expecting it!
It's completely out of Beth's character..... she might as well be Alvina!!!! .... I mean that could happen....they are identical after all!!!
Trust me from here on you are in for a roller coaster of events. From murder, to mafia, to hit men.....its fast paced, completely MAD!! But totally addictive.
Is it believable?.... nope but it would make a great movie!
It really doesn't matter that it was so far from believable, because it stretched my imagination and I loved it.
Beth and Alvina just don't get on.
Beth is definitely the favourite twin which is why Alvina resents her so much.
Alvina has always lived in Beth's shadow. Never good enough, the one to always make mistakes.
For me I had a love/ hate opinion of Alvina she grated on me. But I could understand why she acted the way she did. Never being good enough, So she may as well become what everyone expected of her.
I loved how they wasn't your typical twins.
Yes they were identical.... But they really didn't get on.
I have twins in my family and they are best friends.
Plus my Nan was a twin and she had the Twin vibe and if one hurt themselves so would the other twin.
So for me this book was really different to see the other side to twins.
I really don't know how to sum this book up or even what genre it might fall into, as there really is so much going on.
So I guess you will just have to read it for yourselves to decide where it should be placed.
You definitely won't be disappointed. Once you open the pages you won't be able to stop
It's gripping, family jealousy,thriller, very funny, sexy, dangerous, and just crazy!
I also would just like to point out that this book contains a fair amount of Sex and Adult themes.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
June 2, 2017
I'm not by any means a prude, but this book felt like a cheap attempt at porn at times. The graphic descriptions and language not only become distracting but also make you hate the lead character - common as muck comes to mind. As an aside, some of the things described in these scenes are pretty much logistically impossible - sex scene with Nino mainly.... It just felt uncouth and tacky all the way through. The lead character is wholly unlikeable and the story is way too far fetched. It's like the author tried to fit too many things into a small space (brings us back to my earlier point weirdly...) Not one for me. Feels a bit vulgar and trying too hard to be shocking.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
February 9, 2018
Que livro! Adorei e fartei-me de rir! Agora nem acredito que o 2º só sai em inglês daqui a alguns meses! Louca (desculpem lá!) para continuar a ler as aventuras da nossa Alvie!
Se gostam de humor negro e sarcástico não hesitem em ler este livro!
---
(...)
''Louca'' é a estreia desta autora e meus amigos que estreia! As primeiras linhas deste livro são de chorar a rir. acto que se repete ao longo do livro. Alvie Knightly é uma jovem que neste momento não tem nada a perder: foi despedida do emprego que odiava, a sua vida amorosa está pior que nunca e não tem amigos nenhuns. Isto tudo contrasta com a sua gémea idêntica - Beth - que aos olhos de Alvie é perfeita. Beth casou-se com um italiano rico, foi mãe recentemente de um bebé lindo e mora numa vila italiana de luxo. A convite de Beth, Alvie viaja até à Sicilia e é lá que começa a nossa aventura.
(...)
A narrativa do livro é uma autêntica montanha russa mas quase sem baixos, porque acontece muita coisa a um ritmo alucinante. Gosto de livros assim, porque agarram-me e o resultado foi de ter lido este livro de uma forma compulsiva, porque estava sempre ansiosa por descobrir o que ia acontecer a seguir com Alvie e Nico.
Como o livro tem muitos rasgos de humor, os assuntos mais sérios podem parecer superficiais mas é de atentar os pontos que a autora aborda, especialmente o facto de nunca conhecermos ninguém a 100%, nem mesmo a nossa irmã gémea.
O final deixa-nos com pontas soltas para o segundo volume que pelo continua em terras italianas. Infelizmente ainda não está sequer publicado lá fora, portanto tenho de esperar.
Alvie é louca, má e perigosa mas também é irónica, divertida e sarcástica. Se gostam deste tipo de humor nos livros, não percam ''Louca''!
Opinião completa: https://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogs...
Se gostam de humor negro e sarcástico não hesitem em ler este livro!
---
(...)
''Louca'' é a estreia desta autora e meus amigos que estreia! As primeiras linhas deste livro são de chorar a rir. acto que se repete ao longo do livro. Alvie Knightly é uma jovem que neste momento não tem nada a perder: foi despedida do emprego que odiava, a sua vida amorosa está pior que nunca e não tem amigos nenhuns. Isto tudo contrasta com a sua gémea idêntica - Beth - que aos olhos de Alvie é perfeita. Beth casou-se com um italiano rico, foi mãe recentemente de um bebé lindo e mora numa vila italiana de luxo. A convite de Beth, Alvie viaja até à Sicilia e é lá que começa a nossa aventura.
(...)
A narrativa do livro é uma autêntica montanha russa mas quase sem baixos, porque acontece muita coisa a um ritmo alucinante. Gosto de livros assim, porque agarram-me e o resultado foi de ter lido este livro de uma forma compulsiva, porque estava sempre ansiosa por descobrir o que ia acontecer a seguir com Alvie e Nico.
Como o livro tem muitos rasgos de humor, os assuntos mais sérios podem parecer superficiais mas é de atentar os pontos que a autora aborda, especialmente o facto de nunca conhecermos ninguém a 100%, nem mesmo a nossa irmã gémea.
O final deixa-nos com pontas soltas para o segundo volume que pelo continua em terras italianas. Infelizmente ainda não está sequer publicado lá fora, portanto tenho de esperar.
Alvie é louca, má e perigosa mas também é irónica, divertida e sarcástica. Se gostam deste tipo de humor nos livros, não percam ''Louca''!
Opinião completa: https://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogs...
May 28, 2017
When this arrived unexpectedly I was really excited, looking at the front cover and reading the blurb I couldn't wait to get started, so I did, straight away! I read this book in 24 hours, as soon as I started I was hooked and needed to get to the next chapter.
This book is set over the period of a week and oh my word does a lot happen, I had to keep reminding myself that it was just a week, which when you read it will agree that that is insane!
'Mad' is such an easy book to get into, Chloe's writing is almost conversational and flows well, I guess this is because it is written in the first person, you feel you know the main character very well. Our main character is Alvina, a identical twin of a sister she hasn't seen in two years, who now lives in Sicily.
Alvina is the 'poorer' sister, the 'outcast' of the family, the one that no one loved and this is evident through flashbacks in the book. Her behaviour most of the time is unacceptable, but at times I was warming to her in the book, feeling sorry for her and starting to perhaps understand at times why she was the way she is, however this does wear off at I read further into the book. She is not particularly very likable and if you are looking for a lovely protagonist this book is not for you.
Beth, Alvina's sister wants her to go and visit but Alvina cannot think of anything worse, that is until she loses her job, gets kicked out of her flat and has no money. She is then on the next flight to Sicily.
I won't go into too much detail from here as I don't want to spoil it for you. What I would stay is that I was very surprised about this. At times I was unsure what genre it was as there are elements from women's fiction, thriller, erotic fiction and even has humour in it. I think that is a major asset this book has as it could appeal to many audiences.
I really, really enjoyed the first half of the book and as I said I couldn't put it down, towards the end though and I suppose indicates how the book got it's title 'Mad' it got a bit far-fetched for me and perhaps loses reality. However, it did not spoil the enjoyment for me and I continued to whiz through the novel. This is not like any book I have read and I really enjoyed it for that reason, I hope to get my hands on the next in the series as I can't wait to find out what Alvina gets up to next one.
I would recommend this as a summer beach read, it is highly addictive and will have you racing through it.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
This book is set over the period of a week and oh my word does a lot happen, I had to keep reminding myself that it was just a week, which when you read it will agree that that is insane!
'Mad' is such an easy book to get into, Chloe's writing is almost conversational and flows well, I guess this is because it is written in the first person, you feel you know the main character very well. Our main character is Alvina, a identical twin of a sister she hasn't seen in two years, who now lives in Sicily.
Alvina is the 'poorer' sister, the 'outcast' of the family, the one that no one loved and this is evident through flashbacks in the book. Her behaviour most of the time is unacceptable, but at times I was warming to her in the book, feeling sorry for her and starting to perhaps understand at times why she was the way she is, however this does wear off at I read further into the book. She is not particularly very likable and if you are looking for a lovely protagonist this book is not for you.
Beth, Alvina's sister wants her to go and visit but Alvina cannot think of anything worse, that is until she loses her job, gets kicked out of her flat and has no money. She is then on the next flight to Sicily.
I won't go into too much detail from here as I don't want to spoil it for you. What I would stay is that I was very surprised about this. At times I was unsure what genre it was as there are elements from women's fiction, thriller, erotic fiction and even has humour in it. I think that is a major asset this book has as it could appeal to many audiences.
I really, really enjoyed the first half of the book and as I said I couldn't put it down, towards the end though and I suppose indicates how the book got it's title 'Mad' it got a bit far-fetched for me and perhaps loses reality. However, it did not spoil the enjoyment for me and I continued to whiz through the novel. This is not like any book I have read and I really enjoyed it for that reason, I hope to get my hands on the next in the series as I can't wait to find out what Alvina gets up to next one.
I would recommend this as a summer beach read, it is highly addictive and will have you racing through it.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2019
Well that was a Mad journey that I thoroughly enjoyed, full of murder, craziness and sex. Hold on tight for a roller coaster of a ride that won’t disappoint!!
Alvie and Beth are identical twins but in personality couldn’t be any more different. When Beth invites her to visit at their villa in Italy Alvie has nothing to lose after being sacked and about to become homeless. Beth has a small favour to ask of her.
From the moment she arrives in Italy the story is Mad and absolutely addictive!! I was never quite sure where this story was going to go and I cannot wait to read the next instalment in this trilogy.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review
Alvie and Beth are identical twins but in personality couldn’t be any more different. When Beth invites her to visit at their villa in Italy Alvie has nothing to lose after being sacked and about to become homeless. Beth has a small favour to ask of her.
From the moment she arrives in Italy the story is Mad and absolutely addictive!! I was never quite sure where this story was going to go and I cannot wait to read the next instalment in this trilogy.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review
February 14, 2018
Louca é o primeiro livro de uma trilogia e também o primeiro livro da escritora inglesa Chloé Esposito. É inegável que este é um lançamento recente de que se tem falado muito na blogosfera e no qual a Bertrand Editora apostou bastante. Obviamente, estava cheia de curiosidade em saber, afinal, qual o motivo de tanto hype e senti-me entusiasmada perante a perspetiva de uma história com uma protagonista que o leitor adora odiar.
Alvie Knightly tem um emprego que odeia, vive numa casa alugada com dois homens que odeia, odeia a irmã gémea pela boa vida que leva em Itália e odeia a vida, de um modo geral. O estado de espírito de Alvie, contado pela própria na primeira pessoa, é apresentado ao leitor cheio de observações sarcásticas e repletas de humor negro. O tom da narrativa cativou-me no início da história e, ainda que com o decorrer da história tenha começado a perder a frescura, acabou mesmo por ser um dos pontos mais positivos deste livro.
A partir do momento em que Alvie ruma a Itália a pedido da irmã, o enredo ganha uma dinâmica quase imparável a nível de acontecimentos, o que não quer necessariamente dizer que a leitura tenha sido, para mim, muito cativante. A sensação que tive é que os acontecimentos sucedem-se de forma algo algo aleatória e que se destinam, única e exclusivamente, a enfatizar a espiral de destruição em que Alvie está a cair.
Mas aquilo que acho que falhou em me cativar e que fez com que esta leitura tivesse ficado longe de ser memorável foi a personagem principal. Não tenho nada contra personagens com caráter ou ações duvidosos (lembro-me, assim de repente, de Sebastian Bergman), mas não vi em Alvie qualquer característica redentora. Chloé Esposito tenta dar-lhe um passado de carências afetivas da parte da mãe, em detrimento da irmã, mas nunca chegamos a perceber o motivo das atitudes da mãe e por isso, quanto a mim, a maldade de Alvie torna-se gratuita.
Louca é um livro com alguns méritos – reconheço-lhe humor e a tentativa de criar uma história original. Pessoalmente, a falta de empatia com a personagem principal não me deixou desfrutar deste livro da forma como gostaria e, por isso, não me convenceu. Foi pena.
Alvie Knightly tem um emprego que odeia, vive numa casa alugada com dois homens que odeia, odeia a irmã gémea pela boa vida que leva em Itália e odeia a vida, de um modo geral. O estado de espírito de Alvie, contado pela própria na primeira pessoa, é apresentado ao leitor cheio de observações sarcásticas e repletas de humor negro. O tom da narrativa cativou-me no início da história e, ainda que com o decorrer da história tenha começado a perder a frescura, acabou mesmo por ser um dos pontos mais positivos deste livro.
A partir do momento em que Alvie ruma a Itália a pedido da irmã, o enredo ganha uma dinâmica quase imparável a nível de acontecimentos, o que não quer necessariamente dizer que a leitura tenha sido, para mim, muito cativante. A sensação que tive é que os acontecimentos sucedem-se de forma algo algo aleatória e que se destinam, única e exclusivamente, a enfatizar a espiral de destruição em que Alvie está a cair.
Mas aquilo que acho que falhou em me cativar e que fez com que esta leitura tivesse ficado longe de ser memorável foi a personagem principal. Não tenho nada contra personagens com caráter ou ações duvidosos (lembro-me, assim de repente, de Sebastian Bergman), mas não vi em Alvie qualquer característica redentora. Chloé Esposito tenta dar-lhe um passado de carências afetivas da parte da mãe, em detrimento da irmã, mas nunca chegamos a perceber o motivo das atitudes da mãe e por isso, quanto a mim, a maldade de Alvie torna-se gratuita.
Louca é um livro com alguns méritos – reconheço-lhe humor e a tentativa de criar uma história original. Pessoalmente, a falta de empatia com a personagem principal não me deixou desfrutar deste livro da forma como gostaria e, por isso, não me convenceu. Foi pena.
June 8, 2018
*1,5/5
Fiz um derradeiro esforço para o terminar e lá conseguí...
Logo que possa farei review no blog, mas para já deixo um "aviso" aos potenciais leitores:
na minha opinião dizer que se trata de um thriller é enganoso: sim, tem alguns elementos que se assemelham a um thriller, mas sobressaiem mais os elementos de chick lit + de literatura pornográfica (não erótica, erótica é outra coisa) . Contém linguagem obscena, drogas, mortes violentas e devia ter algures um aviso M18. Podia ter isso tudo em bom, mas não, não é bom, é vulgar. Uma história completamente tresloucada (aqui o título português faz justiça à história) que só faria sentido se no fim se revelasse que de facto tudo o que tinha lido era uma mega alucinação da protagonista (que estaria internada numa instituição de saúde mental) :)
Um livro cujo lançamento foi muito bem divulgado e publicitado, mas que induz um pouco em erro.
Não gostei de "ter sido enganada", mas isso não teria sido problema se tivesse gostado do livro. :)
Literatura de puro mas fraco entretenimento, cujo "sucesso" me intriga . Terei tempo para digerir e pensar melhor sobre isto, até à minha review final, pois teve um ou outro aspecto positivo, mas não foi de todo um livro que tivesse gostado de ler. Trilogia? a sério? mesmo mesmo?... lol...estou fora!
Nota: E quem é Channing Tatum??? Este livro deve ter batido um qualquer record de menções a esta pessoa, e outro de quantidade de marcas de luxo referidas (marcas de sapatos, de malas, de roupas, de maquilhagem, de...eu sei lá... foi até ao enjoo...).
Fiz um derradeiro esforço para o terminar e lá conseguí...
Logo que possa farei review no blog, mas para já deixo um "aviso" aos potenciais leitores:
na minha opinião dizer que se trata de um thriller é enganoso: sim, tem alguns elementos que se assemelham a um thriller, mas sobressaiem mais os elementos de chick lit + de literatura pornográfica (não erótica, erótica é outra coisa) . Contém linguagem obscena, drogas, mortes violentas e devia ter algures um aviso M18. Podia ter isso tudo em bom, mas não, não é bom, é vulgar. Uma história completamente tresloucada (aqui o título português faz justiça à história) que só faria sentido se no fim se revelasse que de facto tudo o que tinha lido era uma mega alucinação da protagonista (que estaria internada numa instituição de saúde mental) :)
Um livro cujo lançamento foi muito bem divulgado e publicitado, mas que induz um pouco em erro.
Não gostei de "ter sido enganada", mas isso não teria sido problema se tivesse gostado do livro. :)
Literatura de puro mas fraco entretenimento, cujo "sucesso" me intriga . Terei tempo para digerir e pensar melhor sobre isto, até à minha review final, pois teve um ou outro aspecto positivo, mas não foi de todo um livro que tivesse gostado de ler. Trilogia? a sério? mesmo mesmo?... lol...estou fora!
Nota: E quem é Channing Tatum??? Este livro deve ter batido um qualquer record de menções a esta pessoa, e outro de quantidade de marcas de luxo referidas (marcas de sapatos, de malas, de roupas, de maquilhagem, de...eu sei lá... foi até ao enjoo...).
April 6, 2017
My mouth hung open throughout the reading of this book, which definitely pushed its limits.
I laughed out loud so many times while reading this and my boyfriend probably has a bruise from the amount of times I poked him in order to get his attention because I just had to share the amount of hilarious things that were written.
Alvie is abrasive. She's over the top. She's ridiculous. She's absurd. You're not meant to like her. I loved her--I loved to hate her, really. I cannot fathom so much as contemplating the actions that she took or having her priorities and desires, but she sure cracked me up.
I felt like the latter half kind of got too much for me--I enjoyed the lighter side of things, but the mafia did get involved, there were guns, and there was blood. I laughed less and was open-mouthed more with incredulity at the absurd events that were taking place. Very few of the characters in this book were actually as they seemed or as I had predicted them to be.
The plot similarly became ridiculous. The book started off as a more explicit sort of Kinsella novel with a less likable protagonist and much stranger scenarios, but then turned into a kind of mystery, then to a thriller, then just to an absurdist telling of a story.
Put your judgemental side away and read this book right now--it's sure to have you in hysterics. I'm cautiously but eagerly anticipating the next book.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I laughed out loud so many times while reading this and my boyfriend probably has a bruise from the amount of times I poked him in order to get his attention because I just had to share the amount of hilarious things that were written.
Alvie is abrasive. She's over the top. She's ridiculous. She's absurd. You're not meant to like her. I loved her--I loved to hate her, really. I cannot fathom so much as contemplating the actions that she took or having her priorities and desires, but she sure cracked me up.
I felt like the latter half kind of got too much for me--I enjoyed the lighter side of things, but the mafia did get involved, there were guns, and there was blood. I laughed less and was open-mouthed more with incredulity at the absurd events that were taking place. Very few of the characters in this book were actually as they seemed or as I had predicted them to be.
The plot similarly became ridiculous. The book started off as a more explicit sort of Kinsella novel with a less likable protagonist and much stranger scenarios, but then turned into a kind of mystery, then to a thriller, then just to an absurdist telling of a story.
Put your judgemental side away and read this book right now--it's sure to have you in hysterics. I'm cautiously but eagerly anticipating the next book.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2018
Sinceramente eu adorei este livro. Adorei o facto de Alvie dizer tudo o que lhe vem à cabeça e todos os seus pensamentos estarem descritos. Adorei a mistura de vários temas como amor, traição e crime. Mal posso esperar pelo próximo. Não podia ter um título melhor.
January 23, 2019
Hiç bu kadar hasta ve manyak bir karakter okumamıştım. Filmi çıksın hemen izlemeyi düşünüyorum.
March 1, 2018
Livro de estreia da autora. É o primeiro de uma trilogia.
Este livro tem tudo: sexo, drogas, suspense, romance, traição, violência, crime, paixão...
continua: https://livrosepapel.blogspot.pt/2018...
Este livro tem tudo: sexo, drogas, suspense, romance, traição, violência, crime, paixão...
continua: https://livrosepapel.blogspot.pt/2018...
May 7, 2017
This book was insane for all the right reasons – I banged through it, once you meet Alvie Knightly you won’t want to turn your back on her, no way!
Mad is a whole pile of fun, sexy, sassy, murderous and intensely funny at times, I sat there reading it giggling away to myself I’m fairly sure people around me thought I might be mad. What? Sssh…
Anyway, Alvie has a twin. She hates her twin. Alvie is also a bit crap at life but kind of takes it all in her stride. Off she goes to visit her sister in Italy, her sister with the gorgeous husband, tons of cash and beautiful home, a baby and the life Alvie feels she should be living. When circumstances turn slightly, well, mad, Alvie seizes her chance to step into those high high heels.
This novel cracks along with frenetic, addictive style, beautifully descriptive in hot and heavy fashion, the author sets the scene, pops Alvie into it and off we go on a purely brilliant ride. Alvie has no filtered thoughts, finds she has a violent streak, observes life with a wittily intelligent outlook and manages to get into a whole load of trouble, using only her intuitive impulses to keep herself out of the danger zone. It is highly entertaining, first page to last, also quite bloody, gorgeously racy and beautifully provocative. I loved it.
So glad this is a trilogy. Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know. I’m in it all the way. Bring on book 2.
Alvina Knightly: Uncensored. Unhinged. Unforgettable.
Yep – you got that right.
Highly Recommended.
Mad is a whole pile of fun, sexy, sassy, murderous and intensely funny at times, I sat there reading it giggling away to myself I’m fairly sure people around me thought I might be mad. What? Sssh…
Anyway, Alvie has a twin. She hates her twin. Alvie is also a bit crap at life but kind of takes it all in her stride. Off she goes to visit her sister in Italy, her sister with the gorgeous husband, tons of cash and beautiful home, a baby and the life Alvie feels she should be living. When circumstances turn slightly, well, mad, Alvie seizes her chance to step into those high high heels.
This novel cracks along with frenetic, addictive style, beautifully descriptive in hot and heavy fashion, the author sets the scene, pops Alvie into it and off we go on a purely brilliant ride. Alvie has no filtered thoughts, finds she has a violent streak, observes life with a wittily intelligent outlook and manages to get into a whole load of trouble, using only her intuitive impulses to keep herself out of the danger zone. It is highly entertaining, first page to last, also quite bloody, gorgeously racy and beautifully provocative. I loved it.
So glad this is a trilogy. Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know. I’m in it all the way. Bring on book 2.
Alvina Knightly: Uncensored. Unhinged. Unforgettable.
Yep – you got that right.
Highly Recommended.
April 7, 2017
This turned out to be a lot more fun than I expected it to be. Maybe there will be a review coming.
January 26, 2019
Well that was a Mad journey that I thoroughly enjoyed, full of murder, craziness and sex. Hold on tight for a roller coaster of a ride that won’t disappoint!!
Alvie and Beth are identical twins but in personality couldn’t be any more different. When Beth invites her to visit at their villa in Italy Alvie has nothing to lose after being sacked and about to become homeless. Beth has a small favour to ask of her.
From the moment she arrives in Italy the story is Mad and absolutely addictive!! I was never quite sure where this story was going to go and I cannot wait to read the next instalment in this trilogy.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review
Alvie and Beth are identical twins but in personality couldn’t be any more different. When Beth invites her to visit at their villa in Italy Alvie has nothing to lose after being sacked and about to become homeless. Beth has a small favour to ask of her.
From the moment she arrives in Italy the story is Mad and absolutely addictive!! I was never quite sure where this story was going to go and I cannot wait to read the next instalment in this trilogy.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review
May 25, 2017
ARC received in exchange for an honest review
Warning: this book is bonkers! The good kind of bonkers.
Without giving away too much this book is about a selfish heroine, Alvie. She's a twin and her sister, Beth is living the high life in Sicily. When Alvie finds herself jobless and homeless, at Beth's invitation, she goes to visit her in Sicily. There she gets involved in murder, men and mafia.
This book is really funny, silly and at times will leave your jaw hanging open.
I kinda loved it though
Warning: this book is bonkers! The good kind of bonkers.
Without giving away too much this book is about a selfish heroine, Alvie. She's a twin and her sister, Beth is living the high life in Sicily. When Alvie finds herself jobless and homeless, at Beth's invitation, she goes to visit her in Sicily. There she gets involved in murder, men and mafia.
This book is really funny, silly and at times will leave your jaw hanging open.
I kinda loved it though
January 23, 2019
Romanul incepe de la rivalitatea dintotdeauna dintre doua surori, Alvie si Beth. Beth e mereu cea perfecta, pe cand Alvie e cea nedreptatita, desi ambele arata la fel:
“Oamenii presupun intotdeauna ca gemenii sunt cei mai buni prieteni, au o conexiune cerebrala, o legatura nemuritoare. Ce dracu’ stiu ei? Scutiti-ma. V-ar placea sa fiti pusi in umbra toata viata de o dublura care va intrece la orice? Pe care o plac toti baietii de la scoala?” (p. 51)
La un moment dat lui Alvie i se implineste visul de a avea viata lui Beth, care e bogata si a carei viata e aparent perfecta. Insa, in cele din urma, se pare ca viata lui Beth in Sicilia era chiar foarte complicata, ea fiind in pericol impreuna cu sotul si copilul ei din cauza mafiei. Mai mult, Beth nu era cea buna, pentru ca o invitase si ii propusese sa schimbe locurile pentru un timp urmand ca apoi Alvie sa fie ucisa pentru ca Beth sa fie in siguranta.
Jucand rolul lui Beth, Alvie complica lucrurile, mai ales ca afla o multime de amanunte despre ce se intampla de fapt pe parcurs. Ajunge sa se bucure totusi ca Beth nu ar fi putut face fata atator senzatii tari si crime ca ea, aici ea intrecand-o. Alvie are o alta personalitate si un alt mod de a privi lucrurile. Desi e in pericol si se afla de multe ori in situatii limita, ea nu ezita sa se bucure de anumite momente si sa se distreze.
Povestea e un amestec de thriller si comedie, datorita modului lui Alvie de a face fata situatiilor.
Citate:
“Cred ca ar trebui sa-i cunosc pe oamenii astia, reali sau fictionali.” (p. 216)
“-De ce? De ce voia sa fuga? Nu are nici un sens. Viata ei parea absolut perfecta.” (p. 302)
“Oamenii presupun intotdeauna ca gemenii sunt cei mai buni prieteni, au o conexiune cerebrala, o legatura nemuritoare. Ce dracu’ stiu ei? Scutiti-ma. V-ar placea sa fiti pusi in umbra toata viata de o dublura care va intrece la orice? Pe care o plac toti baietii de la scoala?” (p. 51)
La un moment dat lui Alvie i se implineste visul de a avea viata lui Beth, care e bogata si a carei viata e aparent perfecta. Insa, in cele din urma, se pare ca viata lui Beth in Sicilia era chiar foarte complicata, ea fiind in pericol impreuna cu sotul si copilul ei din cauza mafiei. Mai mult, Beth nu era cea buna, pentru ca o invitase si ii propusese sa schimbe locurile pentru un timp urmand ca apoi Alvie sa fie ucisa pentru ca Beth sa fie in siguranta.
Jucand rolul lui Beth, Alvie complica lucrurile, mai ales ca afla o multime de amanunte despre ce se intampla de fapt pe parcurs. Ajunge sa se bucure totusi ca Beth nu ar fi putut face fata atator senzatii tari si crime ca ea, aici ea intrecand-o. Alvie are o alta personalitate si un alt mod de a privi lucrurile. Desi e in pericol si se afla de multe ori in situatii limita, ea nu ezita sa se bucure de anumite momente si sa se distreze.
Povestea e un amestec de thriller si comedie, datorita modului lui Alvie de a face fata situatiilor.
Citate:
“Cred ca ar trebui sa-i cunosc pe oamenii astia, reali sau fictionali.” (p. 216)
“-De ce? De ce voia sa fuga? Nu are nici un sens. Viata ei parea absolut perfecta.” (p. 302)
June 24, 2018
No ha acabado de convencerme la narración soez de esta novela. No he conectado con ninguno de los protagonistas aunque la historia en sí no está mal y puede llegar a enganchar.
August 11, 2018
RECENSIONE COMPLETA QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...
Alvina Knightley è una ragazza decisamente particolare: intanto ha una gemella omozigote, Elisabeth, e già questo non è proprio comune, poi per un caso è nata con gli organi interni posizionati specularmente rispetto al normale ed è sempre stata l'esatto opposto della sorella. Elisabeth è solare, amata da tutti, ha sempre avuto tutto quello che voleva dalla vita, in particolare Alessandro, il ricchissimo e bellissimo italiano che l'ha sposata e dal quale ha avuto un figlio. Alvina invece è problematica, imprevedibile, sembra quasi che la vita abbia deciso di darle tutto il contrario della sorella fin dalla nascita, ma il suo spirito combattivo e ribelle l'ha sempre aiutata ad andare avanti, ad adattarsi agli eventi, con un pizzico di cattiveria e ogni tanto una spintarella della fortuna. Possibile che il mondo sia così ingiusto? Tranquille, Alvina è determinata a raddrizzare le vie del karma a suo favore. Ma siamo sicuri che sia poi così bello e facile vivere la vita privilegiata di Beth? Alvina lo scoprirà presto… invidia con tutte le sue forze sua sorella, tanto da non esitare a prendere il suo posto quando il caso le porge questa assurda possibilità su un vassoio d'argento. Presto comincerà ad avere a che fare con vicini di casa aitanti, preti inquietanti e un misterioso amico di Alessandro che ha tutta l'aria di essere un tipo proprio pericoloso. Con stile fresco e dinamico l'autrice ha inventato quella che è una farsa noir talmente inverosimile e assurda che risulta irresistibile, divertentissima e adrenalinica.
L'affresco pomposo e caricaturale che la Esposito ci dipinge in Mad è quanto di più inverosimile, incredibile e amorale potrete leggere, ma è divertentissimo e in alcuni tratti si ride di gusto e a voce alta delle avventure di questa sprovveduta e spontanea casinista, così naturalmente portata al male da risultare simpatica e alla fine suscitare nel lettore sentimenti positivi. Mentre la trama via via si infittisce, ogni cosa mostra la sua vera faccia, ogni personaggio fa vedere il lato vero della sua personalità che non è quasi mai quello ufficiale. Così Beth si dimostra non proprio così buona, Alessandro perde quell'alone di grandezza che Alvina gli aveva costruito attorno negli anni, e gli altri strani personaggi che gravitano intorno alla villa si incastrano e arricchiscono il quadro generale, accompagnando Alvina nella sua trasformazione da bruco sfigato a farfalla letale. Alvina si sente cattiva e le piace, vuole essere così, è naturalmente portata al lato oscuro della forza e si avvicina al misterioso Nino, amico di Alessandro inquietante e pericoloso. Si ritrova coinvolta in traffici loschi, in una vita non sua, rincorrendo un sogno accarezzato da tempo, questa è la sua personale rivincita su una esistenza che l’ha sempre vista perdente, all’ultimo posto sia in famiglia sia nella società…
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
Alvina Knightley è una ragazza decisamente particolare: intanto ha una gemella omozigote, Elisabeth, e già questo non è proprio comune, poi per un caso è nata con gli organi interni posizionati specularmente rispetto al normale ed è sempre stata l'esatto opposto della sorella. Elisabeth è solare, amata da tutti, ha sempre avuto tutto quello che voleva dalla vita, in particolare Alessandro, il ricchissimo e bellissimo italiano che l'ha sposata e dal quale ha avuto un figlio. Alvina invece è problematica, imprevedibile, sembra quasi che la vita abbia deciso di darle tutto il contrario della sorella fin dalla nascita, ma il suo spirito combattivo e ribelle l'ha sempre aiutata ad andare avanti, ad adattarsi agli eventi, con un pizzico di cattiveria e ogni tanto una spintarella della fortuna. Possibile che il mondo sia così ingiusto? Tranquille, Alvina è determinata a raddrizzare le vie del karma a suo favore. Ma siamo sicuri che sia poi così bello e facile vivere la vita privilegiata di Beth? Alvina lo scoprirà presto… invidia con tutte le sue forze sua sorella, tanto da non esitare a prendere il suo posto quando il caso le porge questa assurda possibilità su un vassoio d'argento. Presto comincerà ad avere a che fare con vicini di casa aitanti, preti inquietanti e un misterioso amico di Alessandro che ha tutta l'aria di essere un tipo proprio pericoloso. Con stile fresco e dinamico l'autrice ha inventato quella che è una farsa noir talmente inverosimile e assurda che risulta irresistibile, divertentissima e adrenalinica.
L'affresco pomposo e caricaturale che la Esposito ci dipinge in Mad è quanto di più inverosimile, incredibile e amorale potrete leggere, ma è divertentissimo e in alcuni tratti si ride di gusto e a voce alta delle avventure di questa sprovveduta e spontanea casinista, così naturalmente portata al male da risultare simpatica e alla fine suscitare nel lettore sentimenti positivi. Mentre la trama via via si infittisce, ogni cosa mostra la sua vera faccia, ogni personaggio fa vedere il lato vero della sua personalità che non è quasi mai quello ufficiale. Così Beth si dimostra non proprio così buona, Alessandro perde quell'alone di grandezza che Alvina gli aveva costruito attorno negli anni, e gli altri strani personaggi che gravitano intorno alla villa si incastrano e arricchiscono il quadro generale, accompagnando Alvina nella sua trasformazione da bruco sfigato a farfalla letale. Alvina si sente cattiva e le piace, vuole essere così, è naturalmente portata al lato oscuro della forza e si avvicina al misterioso Nino, amico di Alessandro inquietante e pericoloso. Si ritrova coinvolta in traffici loschi, in una vita non sua, rincorrendo un sogno accarezzato da tempo, questa è la sua personale rivincita su una esistenza che l’ha sempre vista perdente, all’ultimo posto sia in famiglia sia nella società…
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
June 18, 2018
I’m sure you all know what attracted me to this book! Yes it’s a TWIN BOOK!! But I have to start by saying that, this is NOTHING like any twin book that I have ever read before! And thankfully my twin daughters are nothing like Alvie and Beth the identical twins in Mad. Actually, Alvie and Beth are mirror image twins who have an extreme case of mirroring as their internal organs are also mirrored. But that’s not the only difference between them as personality wise these girls are poles apart! Beth is the golden girl, living the life in Sicily with the rich, gorgeous husband and the perfect child. Alvie is living in a flat share London in a job she hates and who’s closest relationship is with her favourite sex toy! When she’s sacked from her job for watching porn she decides to accept her sisters seemingly generous invitation to visit her in Sicily. But it looks like Beth has an ulterior motive for the invite and Alvie is about to have all her dreams come true…if only she can just stay ahead of the game!
Alvie is the antithesis of her twin sister and I think she is a character that you will either love or hate! Thankfully I adored her from the moment I met her! She’s uncouth and self centred with no volume control but I couldn’t help but take to her! She also has a very open attitude to sex so be prepared for some very adult scenes and mature themes. This black comedy had me laughing out loud in so many places, so much so that my hubby banned me from reading it in bed as I kept waking him up with my snorts! But I just couldn’t help but cheer Alvie on, especially once the real reason for her requested presence becomes clear. Yes she’s a liability but when the flashbacks show how her relationships with her mother and twin sister have developed then I was able to understand exactly why she behaved in the way she did. As a twin mum myself I got really ANGRY about the differences between the twins upbringing! Yes, my emotions were running very high as I read some of those rather distressing scenes and it was a real shock after the hilarity of the early stages of this book.
Chloe Esposito is a real find for me! And her debut novel Mad is exactly that….MAD!! It’s a crazy and addictive romp that triumphs over the nature versus nurture debate with plenty of unexpected turns and a heroine who should be unlikable but whom you just can’t help but cheer on. This is the first book in the Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know trilogy and I’m full of excited anticipation to read the next in the series. Mad is the ultimate beach read and I guarantee that if you see anyone reading it on your holiday this summer, they will be laughing out loud at the outrageous adventures of the irrepressible Alvie.
Very highly recommended by me.
Alvie is the antithesis of her twin sister and I think she is a character that you will either love or hate! Thankfully I adored her from the moment I met her! She’s uncouth and self centred with no volume control but I couldn’t help but take to her! She also has a very open attitude to sex so be prepared for some very adult scenes and mature themes. This black comedy had me laughing out loud in so many places, so much so that my hubby banned me from reading it in bed as I kept waking him up with my snorts! But I just couldn’t help but cheer Alvie on, especially once the real reason for her requested presence becomes clear. Yes she’s a liability but when the flashbacks show how her relationships with her mother and twin sister have developed then I was able to understand exactly why she behaved in the way she did. As a twin mum myself I got really ANGRY about the differences between the twins upbringing! Yes, my emotions were running very high as I read some of those rather distressing scenes and it was a real shock after the hilarity of the early stages of this book.
Chloe Esposito is a real find for me! And her debut novel Mad is exactly that….MAD!! It’s a crazy and addictive romp that triumphs over the nature versus nurture debate with plenty of unexpected turns and a heroine who should be unlikable but whom you just can’t help but cheer on. This is the first book in the Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know trilogy and I’m full of excited anticipation to read the next in the series. Mad is the ultimate beach read and I guarantee that if you see anyone reading it on your holiday this summer, they will be laughing out loud at the outrageous adventures of the irrepressible Alvie.
Very highly recommended by me.
June 10, 2018
This book is crazy! Now I mean this in the best possible way as you become addicted and trapped in this surreal world with a character that is off her rocker, rude, self-absorbed, and unknowingly funny, but this book is definitely off the charts on the crazy factor so if being realistic and true to life is important to you in a novel, than this one is probably not for you.
Alvie hates her twin sister Beth with a passion. Always has and always will. Having grown up in a household where Beth was the perfect one who got their mother's love and attention as well as all of the presents, Alvie learned to release her anger and resentment in many ways (like with fire!!) but she never loved her sister. But when she loses her job and is about to be thrown out of her disgusting flat-share, an email from her perfect sister is the last thing she needs. But Beth wants her to come out to Sicily to stay for a while and she sounds desperate. Can Alvie spend time with the twin she despises and watch Beth with her husband, the man that should have been Alvie's? Too right she can. After all, Alvie can milk it for all that it is worth and when the trip takes a very deadly turn, maybe Alvie will have the life she always knew she deserved ...
MAD by Chloé Esposito is a madcap adventure through the eyes of a woman who sees her actions as perfectly plausible and acceptable. There is sex, mobsters, murderers, and art theft, all set against the opulent backdrop of Italy, with some serious sibling rivalry and betrayals seething just below the surface ready to explode. To really enjoy this story you will have to suspend reality a little bit and you will struggle to relate to Alvie as she really is so unique (I hope!!) but that doesn't mean you won't enjoy her story and you will certainly get caught up in the craziness of it all.
MAD by Chloé Esposito is exactly like the title describes and I completely understand why it has been optioned as it would certainly make a cracker of a film. I cannot wait for the next instalment!!!!
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
Alvie hates her twin sister Beth with a passion. Always has and always will. Having grown up in a household where Beth was the perfect one who got their mother's love and attention as well as all of the presents, Alvie learned to release her anger and resentment in many ways (like with fire!!) but she never loved her sister. But when she loses her job and is about to be thrown out of her disgusting flat-share, an email from her perfect sister is the last thing she needs. But Beth wants her to come out to Sicily to stay for a while and she sounds desperate. Can Alvie spend time with the twin she despises and watch Beth with her husband, the man that should have been Alvie's? Too right she can. After all, Alvie can milk it for all that it is worth and when the trip takes a very deadly turn, maybe Alvie will have the life she always knew she deserved ...
MAD by Chloé Esposito is a madcap adventure through the eyes of a woman who sees her actions as perfectly plausible and acceptable. There is sex, mobsters, murderers, and art theft, all set against the opulent backdrop of Italy, with some serious sibling rivalry and betrayals seething just below the surface ready to explode. To really enjoy this story you will have to suspend reality a little bit and you will struggle to relate to Alvie as she really is so unique (I hope!!) but that doesn't mean you won't enjoy her story and you will certainly get caught up in the craziness of it all.
MAD by Chloé Esposito is exactly like the title describes and I completely understand why it has been optioned as it would certainly make a cracker of a film. I cannot wait for the next instalment!!!!
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
July 18, 2018
Esta historia es pura locura y adicción, me ha dejado totalmente loca y alucinada con la trama que tiene. Ese FINAL me ha dejado con ganas de más 🙊
Este libro ha sido un constante subidón porque jamás me hubiera imaginado encontrarme con una protagonista como Alvie y menos una historia como la suya, para morirse. El principio pintaba muy bien, pero es que ido avanzando y más, más, más me iba gustando y no podía parar de leerlo. Es que nos encontramos con un libro que tiene muchísimos giros y cada uno más sorprendente que el anterior, posee momentos donde no puedes parar de reír y otros que te mueres intriga. Si buscáis, un libro con una protagonista diferente y una trama rocambolesca este es vuestro libro. La pluma de Chloé Esposito es sublime, intensa y directa, nos ha deleitado con una historia que se sale de todos los patrones establecidos dentro de la literatura romántica.
Loca es la primera parte de la trilogía Loca Mala Peligrosa. Es el espléndido comienzo de una historia que te enredara desde la primera página con unos giros sorprendentes y con una protagonista que desprende locura en todo su esplendor. Una lectura intensa, adictiva y repleta de intriga, no la dejéis pasar.
Reseña completa: https://aprovechalavidacadadiaa.blogs...
Este libro ha sido un constante subidón porque jamás me hubiera imaginado encontrarme con una protagonista como Alvie y menos una historia como la suya, para morirse. El principio pintaba muy bien, pero es que ido avanzando y más, más, más me iba gustando y no podía parar de leerlo. Es que nos encontramos con un libro que tiene muchísimos giros y cada uno más sorprendente que el anterior, posee momentos donde no puedes parar de reír y otros que te mueres intriga. Si buscáis, un libro con una protagonista diferente y una trama rocambolesca este es vuestro libro. La pluma de Chloé Esposito es sublime, intensa y directa, nos ha deleitado con una historia que se sale de todos los patrones establecidos dentro de la literatura romántica.
Loca es la primera parte de la trilogía Loca Mala Peligrosa. Es el espléndido comienzo de una historia que te enredara desde la primera página con unos giros sorprendentes y con una protagonista que desprende locura en todo su esplendor. Una lectura intensa, adictiva y repleta de intriga, no la dejéis pasar.
Reseña completa: https://aprovechalavidacadadiaa.blogs...
April 11, 2018
It was the perfect murder, and only my second! What can I say, I'm a quick learner.
Wow, this is a blast from start to finish! Alvie is the ultimate demented anti-heroine whose rude, lewd and crude voice brings this book to life. From getting sacked from her dead-end job for watching porn at her desk to stealing a Louis Vuitton suitcase off the baggage reclaim because she wants new clothes, Alvie does all those things that we might dream of but which are censored by our rational minds (hope that's not just me?!)
Visiting her 'good' twin in Sicily, things soon take a darker turn but the ever-resourceful Alvie is more than a match for the Cosa Nostra and soon finds she's a natural at killing... With sexy Italian men galore (and Alvie's not a girl to just look and admire from a distance) this zips along effortlessly. It's pure escapism, for sure, but is written with a verve and assurance that makes it stand out from the crowd. Alvie may not have gone to Oxford like her twin, but her literary references are spot on and don't you love a girl whose idea of upbeat reading is Siegfried Sassoon?!
Many thanks to Penguin for an ARC via NetGalley.
June 8, 2017
Well, I can say with utter certainty I will not be reading the other two books in this trilogy. This is an awful, vulgar, disturbing, sick, twisted, f****** ed up book about awful, vulgar, disturbing, sick, twisted, f***** up people. Don't get me wrong, horrible people have every potential to be hilarious. But this book was not hilarious. Not a single character had a redeeming quality. I don't think there has ever been a character I've hated more, and I read a lot of books. Alvie is elated that her sister is dead, Alvie loves killing, poor little Alvie is a victim of her upbringing. I think the author wanted readers to feel sorry for her, but I just kept thinking, "Good Lord, we get it; mommy loved your twin more than she loved you. Get help, for God's sake!" I could find no sympathy. About 70 pages in, I started skimming. I just wanted it to be over. I kept hoping it would get better, but it didn't. It was all downhill from there.
June 23, 2017
(This is taken from a comment I wrote on another review.)
I'm with the negatives on this one... I just couldn't even skim past her crude, rude, utterly irredeemable personality to even find dark humor in this one. I get that she's supposed to be unlikable, and understand that's the contrast and the point. Maybe that's enough of a redeeming quality for some readers, but it didn't do anything for me and with so many other books out there, I couldn't justify spending the time on this one...
I'm with the negatives on this one... I just couldn't even skim past her crude, rude, utterly irredeemable personality to even find dark humor in this one. I get that she's supposed to be unlikable, and understand that's the contrast and the point. Maybe that's enough of a redeeming quality for some readers, but it didn't do anything for me and with so many other books out there, I couldn't justify spending the time on this one...
July 29, 2018
Viršelis tooks vasariškas ir tikrai labai traukiantis akį. Nekantraudama kibau į šį pasakojimą. Istorija pasakoja apie dvi seseris dvynes Elizabetę ir Alviną. Nors jos yra identiškos išvaizda, tačiau charakteriai visiškai skirtingi. Alvina pavydi savo seseriai jos tobulo gyvenimo.. Nuostabaus kūdikio, žavaus vyro bei prabangios vilos. Vis dėlto paaiškėja, jog Betės gyvenimas nėra toks tobulas, kaip gali pasirodyti iš pirmo žvilgsnio. Savaitė Secilijoje Alvinai virsta super ekstremaliu nuotykiu.
Jei tikitės kažkokios rimtos kriminalinės istorijos, tuomet čia to nerasite. Kvatojau iš pagrindinės veikėjos, ji laisvai galėtų būti komike 😀 Ši knyga tikrai skirta atostogoms, vasaros metui, kai norisi visiškai atsipalaiduoti ir paskaityti šį tą neipareigojančio. Prižadu, juoko dozė - garantuota!
Jei tikitės kažkokios rimtos kriminalinės istorijos, tuomet čia to nerasite. Kvatojau iš pagrindinės veikėjos, ji laisvai galėtų būti komike 😀 Ši knyga tikrai skirta atostogoms, vasaros metui, kai norisi visiškai atsipalaiduoti ir paskaityti šį tą neipareigojančio. Prižadu, juoko dozė - garantuota!
February 19, 2018
Foi simplesmente hilariante. E estou curiosa com a continuação da história. Esta vilã ainda tem muito para dar e para nos fazer rir.
January 15, 2024
Tocmai ce am terminat de citit cartea si in mintea mea se îngrămădesc multe idei. Nici nu stiu ce sa spun despre această poveste. Clar nu este ceva la care sa ma fi așteptat, dar este fără discuții genul de carte pe care n am putut sa o las din mana până n am dus o la final.
Intriga pare relativ simplă, Alvina si Beth sunt două surori, gemene identice, (aici se termina asemănarea lor), ce deși au crescut in aceeasi casa, au avut o copilărie diferita. Beth a fost copilul mult dorit, Alvina a fost bonusul pe care mama nu l a vrut.
Sunt precum soarele si luna. Alvina este o epavă din toate punctele de vedere. Beth este cea mai cea dintre cele mai cele.
La început nu înțelegeam de ce este Alvina atât de supărată pe viata si cum de se afla intr o situație atât de nefericită, dar lecturand, am realizat ca întâmplările din copilărie au făcut-o sa ajunga sa fie asa.
Cand Beth o cheamă la ea, m am gandit ca va urma sa citesc o poveste de dragoste încălcita, o dragoste interzisă, dar am primit mai mult de atat.
Soțul lui Beth este băgat în afaceri cu mafia. Vor sa scape si pt asta au nevoie de Alvina.
Ea urma sa fie alibiul perfect pt ca cei doi, împreună cu fiul lor de numai 10 luni, sa isi înceapă viata in alta parte, numai ca planul lor eșuează atunci când lucrurile iau o alta intorsatura.
O serie de crime, mult sex si o intamplare de neașteptat face ca alegerea Alvinei sa nu fie una dintre cele mai strălucite.
N are rost sa spun mai mult pt ca daca veti citi veti descoperi toata aceasta imbarligatura, însă ce pot sa spun e clar ca povestea mi a plăcut mult.
Ard de nerăbdare să descopăr ce urmează să facă "nebuna" in continuare.
Citind, ma întrebam dacă e normal sa iti placa un personaj atât de defect, criminal chiar? Nu stiu, dar zau ca imi place de Alvina.
Chiar dacă e o criminală cu sânge rece, o femeie fără scrupule, eu o plac.
Fiecare rând m a făcut sa o descopăr si sa zic ca nu e chiar atat de rea... nebună da, dar nu rea. A fost un copil nefericit care a strigat tot timpul "Uite ma, mama! Sunt si eu aici!", dar care a fost ignorat voit. Era clar ca toate aceste lucruri vor avea repercusiuni.
Nu stiu cum, necum, dar autoarea a creionat niste personaje super interesante si pline de viata.
Acțiunea cărții, atât de alertă, plină de umor și amețitor de antrenanta te face pur si simplu parte din poveste.
Este a doua serie in care descopăr o criminală cu sânge rece (seria Maestra,Domina) si de care ma declar îndrăgostită... ceea ce incepe sa mi se para suspect. Cum doamne iartă ma ajung sa empatizez cu nebune din astea nu stiu, dar iată că o fac?!
Oricum, cartea e de citit si nu e deloc timp pierdut. Pt mine cel puțin, nu a fost.
5 stele și zic fără discuții ca din ce am citit pe anul acesta, până acum, asta e preferata mea. Sper ca si continuarea seriei sa fie la fel de interesanta.
Ps: e teribil de enervant ca seria nu a mai continuat sa fie tradusa, astfel am ajuns sa rămân în aer cu povestea editura oprindu-se la al doilea volum.
Intriga pare relativ simplă, Alvina si Beth sunt două surori, gemene identice, (aici se termina asemănarea lor), ce deși au crescut in aceeasi casa, au avut o copilărie diferita. Beth a fost copilul mult dorit, Alvina a fost bonusul pe care mama nu l a vrut.
Sunt precum soarele si luna. Alvina este o epavă din toate punctele de vedere. Beth este cea mai cea dintre cele mai cele.
La început nu înțelegeam de ce este Alvina atât de supărată pe viata si cum de se afla intr o situație atât de nefericită, dar lecturand, am realizat ca întâmplările din copilărie au făcut-o sa ajunga sa fie asa.
Cand Beth o cheamă la ea, m am gandit ca va urma sa citesc o poveste de dragoste încălcita, o dragoste interzisă, dar am primit mai mult de atat.
Soțul lui Beth este băgat în afaceri cu mafia. Vor sa scape si pt asta au nevoie de Alvina.
Ea urma sa fie alibiul perfect pt ca cei doi, împreună cu fiul lor de numai 10 luni, sa isi înceapă viata in alta parte, numai ca planul lor eșuează atunci când lucrurile iau o alta intorsatura.
O serie de crime, mult sex si o intamplare de neașteptat face ca alegerea Alvinei sa nu fie una dintre cele mai strălucite.
N are rost sa spun mai mult pt ca daca veti citi veti descoperi toata aceasta imbarligatura, însă ce pot sa spun e clar ca povestea mi a plăcut mult.
Ard de nerăbdare să descopăr ce urmează să facă "nebuna" in continuare.
Citind, ma întrebam dacă e normal sa iti placa un personaj atât de defect, criminal chiar? Nu stiu, dar zau ca imi place de Alvina.
Chiar dacă e o criminală cu sânge rece, o femeie fără scrupule, eu o plac.
Fiecare rând m a făcut sa o descopăr si sa zic ca nu e chiar atat de rea... nebună da, dar nu rea. A fost un copil nefericit care a strigat tot timpul "Uite ma, mama! Sunt si eu aici!", dar care a fost ignorat voit. Era clar ca toate aceste lucruri vor avea repercusiuni.
Nu stiu cum, necum, dar autoarea a creionat niste personaje super interesante si pline de viata.
Acțiunea cărții, atât de alertă, plină de umor și amețitor de antrenanta te face pur si simplu parte din poveste.
Este a doua serie in care descopăr o criminală cu sânge rece (seria Maestra,Domina) si de care ma declar îndrăgostită... ceea ce incepe sa mi se para suspect. Cum doamne iartă ma ajung sa empatizez cu nebune din astea nu stiu, dar iată că o fac?!
Oricum, cartea e de citit si nu e deloc timp pierdut. Pt mine cel puțin, nu a fost.
5 stele și zic fără discuții ca din ce am citit pe anul acesta, până acum, asta e preferata mea. Sper ca si continuarea seriei sa fie la fel de interesanta.
Ps: e teribil de enervant ca seria nu a mai continuat sa fie tradusa, astfel am ajuns sa rămân în aer cu povestea editura oprindu-se la al doilea volum.
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