I have really enjoyed Alex Michaelides' books, so I was excited to receive this one! However, I cannot say the hype remains as high as it once was. I really did not like this one. There was a point in the story, when the first twist comes out, that I was fully invested and hoping things would improve - but they didn't. From the start, I had a hard time getting into it. The narrator, Elliot, is so verbose and really needed to get to the point. I understand that that's who he is as a character, but it was just a little too much for me. I almost DNF'd around 20% if that tells you anything. I was very let down by the ending; it seemed very rushed and disconnected from the story as a whole. I truly cannot tell you what happened during this story other than everyone is crazy, self-centered, and fall into the actor stereotype.

This one clearly wasn't for me, but I hope someone loves it!

Crazy thriller. Entertaining, fast-paces, twists and turns, everything good about thrillers is right here! great new book by that already awesome author!

I could not put this down!!!

This is the first book that I read by this author and I must say I was pleasantly absorbed into every bit of it!

It felt like I was watching a true play unfold right in front of me!

Just as I thought I know what was going to happen next… I found out quickly that I did not!

Private Greek island, ex-movie stars, greed, betrayal and murder!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback

Absolutely amazing! What a rollercoaster of a book. If I didn’t have work I would have binged this book. That’s how fantastic it is. Alex is Fantastic!!


Received ARC through NetGalley

“Are you slightly charmed, even beguiled, as Lana used to be? Or like Kate, do you find me irritating, self-dramatizing, self-indulgent?”

This book is told in the narrative POV of one of characters, Elliot Chase. He attempts to tell the audience of the murder of the main character, Lana. I found him to be insufferable. Throughout the book the reader realizes his subtle obsession with Lana as he unravels his concocted plot to steal her away from her husband, Jason. Secrets are revealed within the friend group and there definitely are twists in the plot, but I didn’t find this book to be as enthralling as Michaelides’ first two. Maybe it was because I just couldn’t stand Elliot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for this advanced reader’s copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing me an advance copy of "The Fury" in exchange for my honest review. I was very excited for this book because I loved author's previous work so much. Alex Michealides's writing style is amazing (just like his other books), it definitely makes it an enjoyable &easy read. I found the beginning of the book interesting; however, I didn't enjoy the second half of the book at all. It got pretty boring for me, and I couldn't relate to any of the characters. The twist at the end didn't surprise me either. I am giving this book 3 stars because of the author's writing style but not for the plot unfortunately. Despite my feelings about "The Fury" I can't wait to see what's next for Alex Michaelides, and I would read another work by him.

What an incredible book! Alex Michaelides’s books have been an auto-buy for me since I read The Silent Patient years ago, and oh wow, The Fury did not disappoint! The Maidens was great, but The Fury reminded me more of The Silent Patient in how it had me hooked from the first page. I loved how the book was written as a play, with acts that each had their own mood and feeling, but blended seamlessly. I devoured this book and absolutely loved it.

I received a digital ARC of this book via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

As our narrator says in the beginning - this is not so much a whodunit but rather, a whydunit. The Fury by Alex Michaelides takes us on a fast paced ride through a fateful getaway trip on a small island in Greece. I was glued to the pages, finishing this in two sittings. Michaelides has this seemingly effortless writing style that just pulls you into his crazy plots, which he did again with The Fury. You may even recognize some characters if you've read his previous works.

There are some moments that feel a bit predictable to the murder-mystery genre, but overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants to cozy up with a book that will keep you guessing until the very end.

I received a digital ARC of this book via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD*

This is a tale of murder.

Or maybe that’s not quite true. At its heart, it’s a love story, isn’t it?

It’s not a whodunnit so much as a whydunnit. Our narrator Elliot tells the story of beautiful Lana Farrar and her murder. Or murders? But who would kill this movie star who’s beloved by all? And why? Although, can you always believe everything you read? Do you take it at face value and believe it for truth? Or wait until all the cards are on the table?

Trigger Warnings: Spousal Cheating, Spousal Death (happens prior to storyline but is mentioned) Murder, Stalking (minor), Drug Use (minor)

I’ve never been one for unreliable narrators. Or at least I never thought I was. But after “Verity” and “The Silent Patient”, I had a bit more respect for them. That’s my main hold back on this being a complete 5 star read; the narration kind of got on my nerves. It wasn’t as good as “The Silent Patient.”

I love Alex’s writing style and was very, very honored to be selected to read this prior to its release. Alex has a way of sucking you in and putting you in a choke hold until the very end. While it did pull me in, it just didn’t have the same wow factor as “The Silent Patient”. Maybe it was because we knew exactly what was happening from the beginning; that Lana was being murdered but why and how? It was great don’t get me wrong but it didn’t hold the same power that “The Silent Patient” did. Though I did appreciate the nod to “The Silent Patient” in the epilogue.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. It just seemed a bit redundant going back and forth in time two or three times because the narrator couldn’t figure out the best way to tell the story. If you’d like “The Silent Patient”, you’ll probably enjoy this one as well. Please check trigger warnings before reading.

Lana Farrar has decided to go on holiday to get Greek Islands Aura. She and her husband invite a group of friends. Chaos erupts.

I have enjoyed each and every oneof this author's books. The Silent Patient is still my favorite. However, this remains a very good book.

Many thanks to Celadon Books and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book - I felt like the ending had the twist that I wanted from Alex Michaelides ever since The Silent Patient. It's the same writing style as the Silent Patient, which initially drew me in. There were characters you loved to hate, like Kate - God she was awful!! Then as the story unfolds, you start to wonder if she has reason for her hatred. Great book!!

Although slower paced than his best-selling novel, The Silent Patient, I really enjoy Michaelides' writing style. He really throws you for a loop while directly leading you to know exactly where the path will lead all at the same time. A true psychological thriller writer that loves the use of an unreliable narrator (to which he confesses from the very beginning of the book). I also really enjoyed the little Easter egg he threw in the end there as well; really clever.

This is the first book by Alex Michaelides that I’ve read although I’m familiar with his other works. I was drawn in by the way the story is structured, as though we’re being told the story first hand. It has a very intimate quality to it, like you’re being let in on a secret. But soon it’s all too apparent that our unnamed narrator (later revealed as Elliott Chase) is completely unreliable.

We’re told early on that the events that transpired - where a group of people holiday on a remote Greek island and someone ends up dead - are told entirely from Elliott’s perspective even going so far as to fill in thoughts of others and dialogue for moments that he was absent for.

Clearly, he’s leading the story which I was happy to allow because as I said you’re pulled in by the intimacy of feeling like you're getting in on the secret of finding out what happened. Considering one of the people in the group that day was a famous and beloved actress and it adds another layer of almost salacious gossip. But don’t get too comfortable as the narrative quickly twists to add other unforeseen layers.

Told like the acts of a play, I really appreciated the way in which Alex Michaelides added those layers of the story. It lends itself well to the performative aspect of Elliott's iteration of events. The repetition between the "acts" while also revealing new morsels of information was done really well.

While I like the reframing of the story as we go - which allows for a lot of change of perspective - I think it treads too fine a line and for me just crossed over into being too much. Too much unreliability in the things I was reading. Little to nothing that I could believe in without a shadow of a doubt which is an aspect I need in my books, even if it's just a morsel of truth. Unfortunately, all of this boils into the conclusion of the book, so it's not until then that I could confidently say that these were issues for me.

Beyond that, I did like the narrative choice. Despite being unlikable and unreliable, I like Elliott. He has a charisma about him that comes across so well. You can't help but lean into the story to see where he takes you.

Overall, I think it's a worthy read (or listen). I'd say it's more of a character study than a hard-hitting mystery. Maybe that's the key that I was missing while reading.

Thank you to Net Galley and Celadon Books for the advanced readers' copy in exchange for my honest review.

This amazing and twisty story is told from Elliot Chase's first person point of view. He speaks to you like an old friend having coffee or cocktails. His diversions are informative and never detracting. Every so often, he would retell a scene from another character's perspective, speculating what they were thinking or feeling in that moment. His storytelling and character building is exceptional. Then you get thrown for a loop, then there's a twist, and just when you think the Rollercoaster is coming to an end... you get a couple more loops.

I loved this novel. Alex Michaelides has again given us a novel that beautifully merges psychology and Greek mythology to explore the depths of love, loss, and mental illness. I will say it again, he is one of my FAVORITE contemporary authors. Do not pass on this book... you will enjoy every moment!!

This is my firsy Michaelides novel, after seeing so many great things about TSP and TM I thought it would be a good idea to try and form my own opinion with this ARC.

I enjoyed this. If you're a strictly linear with little to no flashbacks or forwards kinda reader, I would steer clear. The way this novel jumps back and forth in time reminds me of the final few chapters of Prisoner of Azkaban.

I'm glad I got my first taste of this author with this book and I plan to read the rest of his work.

Alex Michaelides with another of what I would call a deeply unintelligent page turner. I only get through his books because I want to confirm how bad they are. The characters in this book are flattened and unsympathetic, their actions and motivations rarely make sense. Every chapter ends with a full cliffhanger. I honestly cannot believe that people read these.

Unreliable narrator? Check!
Remote location? Check!
Murder? Check!

Michaelides has put together a fun, quirky, twisty, locked-room style mystery with The Fury. Set on a remote Greek island, our main character, Lana, has gathered her closest friends. What lies below are secrets that threaten to tear everything apart. But what’s real? Our narrator, Elliot, takes readers on a trip that lets you decide just what truths he has to tell. I loved the way that Michaelides structured this with glimpses into the past and the days that led up to everyone meeting on the island. The pacing was just right to keep the reader hooked and coming back for more.

The less you read about this book’s plot before picking it up, the better. Let it take you for a ride!

(3.5)
i don’t really know where to begin here.

i enjoyed it…kind of? i love the way this story had an unreliable narrator and how it had different time jumps and twists that made it feel a bit like whiplash. but there were so many little things that annoyed me.

starting off, i didn’t like the ending. endings are what make or break thrillers for me and unfortunately, it’s what broke this for me. the several twists that were thrown it felt like they were cheap and just to throw the reader for a loop but didn’t care enough to actually flesh anything more out. like, oh kate was actually acting, oh this was a ploy, etc. it felt almost as cheap as the “everything was a dream” plot device. made me detached from the characters.

second, elliot annoyed the hell out of me. i get he’s supposed to because he’s the narrator and the bad guy here but like, he just was awful. there was nothing that ever made me root for him even before the plan was revealed. i wanted him to just shut up and get on with it. kate was pretty annoying too, but she was slightly more redeemable.

lastly, i just didn’t like how long this was. and it’s not even that long. one of the twists was revealed at like 50% and the last half just felt like there were things there just to pad out a full length book.

the epilogue is also a spoiler for the silent patient (his books always tie back there) so don’t read this yet if you haven’t read the silent patient (which i do recommend, highly)

overall, this was a disappointment as someone that has read and liked alex’s other two books.

Book description: "A masterfully paced thriller..."
It'll be a good murder mystery for beginners, not a thriller. It's a meta version of 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. And some people will love it, I'm sure of it.

Some thoughts on certain passages:
"The less said about my childhood, the better."
Proceeds to write 5 paragraphs about it.

"I was creative because, when I was a child, I was dissatisfied with the reality I was forced to endure. So, in my imagination, I created a new one."
It's a really nice quote but pretty much described this whole story. It was just kinda predictable, but in a poor way - I usually don't mind when something I thought of before actually ends up happening, it's never a dealbreaker for me.

"Every character has a goal. This is fulfilled by an intention designed to achieve it. The third component is the most important, and without it, characters remain two-dimensional. The motivation."
He talked about depth for characters, but he ended up making that exact mistake, choosing cliché - and hollow - characters and therefore unconvincing.

"A human being will act to remove pain."
The said motivation... great but that's like, first page. A preview. How you develop it and utilizes to make us connect with the characters matters more.

'"When we are young," Mariana said, "and afraid-when we are shamed, and humiliated-something happens. Time stops. It freezes, in that moment. A version of us is trapped, at that age forever."'
This is a really nice way to put it into words. It'll make a lot of people put a light on certain things.

I'm writing this review right after I finished it because I know I'll forget about it by the end of the week. It was just bland. Not bad, but not great. 'The Silent Patient' by him was a better read for me.

This was such a good, twisty thriller!
I loved The Silent Patient by this same author, so if you loved it too, I think you’ll enjoy The Fury!

Alex Michaelides knows how to write a twist!! I really enjoy his writing and his characters as well. They’re always very dynamic and add so much more to the story.

The first half of this book was a little slow compared to the second half, but I didn’t really mind, as I was so entertained by the characters and their drama. The author was setting everything up and it really pays off in the end!

I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers, juicy celebrity drama, and wants to travel to a Greek island to escape the winter! 🌬️ It will be available on January 16th, 2024!

Thank you to Celadon Books + NetGalley for this advanced copy!