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A Disappointing Sequel to 'My Worst Enemy' - Why the Author Missed the Mark
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You're Dead, Stas Shutov. Eli Froy
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You're Dead, Stas Shutov. Eli Froy

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A Disappointing Sequel to 'My Worst Enemy' - Why the Author Missed the Mark

summarizeEditor's Summary

I was really looking forward to reading the sequel to 'My Worst Enemy', but unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The story felt disjointed and lacked the depth of the first book. The characters' motivations and actions seemed inconsistent, which made it hard for me to become invested in their journey. I was hoping for a thought-provoking and engaging read, but this book just didn't deliver. The author's attempt to explore complex themes like trauma and psychopathy fell flat, and the pacing was slow and plodding. I was left feeling disappointed and wondering what could have been.

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settingsSpecifications

KararKötü
Dönem6/10
HikayeKalitesi4/10
KarakterGeliştirme5/10
Hello again!
I've talked about 'My Best Enemy' before, and it's a book that sparks a lot of debate among readers. I only recently shared my thoughts after reading it.
Now, here's the continuation of that story. For me, it was two books in a row, but for some dedicated fans, it's been seven years since they last read it.
Just to remind you, or bring you up to speed, the first book is about the complex relationship between Toma and Stasa. The story is told from Toma's perspective, and it's about how their friendship turned into a bitter rivalry after a traumatic event. Stasa becomes increasingly unstable and even exhibits signs of psychopathy, while Toma becomes his victim. The book explores some heavy themes, like violence, Stockholm syndrome, and more.
The author described this book as a continuation, so it's not a mistake. Many fans were eagerly waiting to see what would happen next in Toma and Stasa's lives. Spoiler alert: the story takes a punch to the gut right from the start. It turns out that this is the same story, but told from Stasa's perspective. The events are similar, but we see them through the eyes of the antagonist, his emotions, and his feelings.
At the time of the story, Stasa is in a special school, and the events that unfold there are intertwined with his memories of the events from the first part.
I have to admit, I was expecting a more thought-provoking exploration of violence and its consequences in this book. Unfortunately, it felt like I was re-reading the same story all over again, but from a different perspective. The author's attempt to delve deeper into Stasa's thoughts and feelings fell flat for me, and I found myself getting a bit bored with the repetition.
One thing that stood out to me is that reading two books in a row can be a bit tedious when you're re-reading the same scenes, but told from a different perspective. Maybe the author was counting on the fact that the first part was read five to seven years ago, or maybe it's just me, but I get annoyed when I have to re-read the same content.
Initially, I was curious to see if there would be any unexpected twists or insights into Stasa's feelings and thoughts. But after a while, it started to feel like I was just going through the motions.
I have to admit, I was expecting more depth from Stas' character, but his thoughts and reactions were pretty predictable. The portrait of him was clear from the first part, and I could easily fill in the gaps myself.
Don't get me wrong, there's a bit of tragic drama in some of Stas' thoughts, but I didn't find myself getting too emotional about it. Reading about his childhood and the stereotypical 'sweet' girl he bullies was a bit of a snooze-fest for me.
What really caught my attention was Stas' life in special school. This part of the story raised some thought-provoking questions about the nature of violence, the relationships between victims and tormentors, and all that. I was both interested and unsettled by the characters' musings on this concept. To be honest, I don't entirely agree with the author's take on it. In special school, Stas becomes more of a victim and, almost consciously, slips into that role. He's trying to change his aggressive behavior, but if he gives in to provocations, he'll just fall back into the same old pattern.
One of the key moments for me was when Stas meets Krutch, that guy from the first book who, by the way, was the one who basically set off the whole chain of events involving Stas. Through their interactions, Eli Frey illustrates the exhausting and complex nature of violence - someone who's been hurt goes on to hurt others, and this terrible cycle just keeps spiraling out of control, from person to person.
I have to admit, it's a bummer to see how a victim of abuse can spend years analyzing the abuser's behavior and living with that trauma, while the abuser just sees it as another item on their list. And in the end, it's just sad and kind of pointless - I was hurt, so I hurt you. This theme runs through all the characters, and in this particular case, it reaches a dramatic peak with the Kruch scene, which I found pretty intense, although maybe a bit obvious. I'm not sure why, but I actually liked the way the story unfolded, even though the concept itself really gets to me.
The story then smoothly transitions into what the first part ended with. To be honest, I was already on edge, trying to figure out how this story was going to end this time around.
The last attempt to tug at my emotions felt a bit forced, but the ending was organic and, for once, I actually liked it. Thanks to Eli Frey for that! Maybe my opinion on the whole story and the awfulness of these abusive relationships is a bit too much to handle, but I'm okay with that. After the first book left me feeling super uncomfortable at the end, I'm actually relieved that this one turned out better. It's clear that this couple's story can't go any other way.
I also noticed that the author's writing style has improved, but unfortunately, the repetition is still there. It would be even harder to avoid it in a retelling of the story. Weirdly enough, this book was actually more engaging than the first part, but reading it out of order is pointless.
Thanks for sticking with me and for taking the time to read this review! ❤️

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What are the main themes explored in this book?

The book explores complex themes like trauma, psychopathy, and the blurred lines between good and evil, but they feel underdeveloped and lacking in depth.

How does this book compare to the first one in the series?

Unfortunately, this book doesn't live up to the standard set by the first book. The story feels disjointed, and the characters' motivations and actions are inconsistent.

Are the characters well-developed and relatable?

The characters' backstories are rich and detailed, but their relationships with each other feel superficial and unconvincing.

What are the main criticisms of this book?

The pacing is slow and plodding, and the themes and ideas explored in the book feel underdeveloped and lacking in depth.

Is this book suitable for readers who enjoyed the first book?

Unfortunately, this book doesn't meet the expectations set by the first book. If you're a fan of the series, you may be disappointed by this sequel.

What are the book's strengths and weaknesses?

The book's strengths include its descriptive and immersive writing, as well as its exploration of complex themes. However, the story feels disjointed, and the pacing is slow and plodding.

Can I recommend this book to others?

I wouldn't recommend this book to fans of the series or readers who enjoy complex, thought-provoking fiction. However, if you're looking for a light, easy read, you might enjoy this book.

What are the book's themes and ideas?

The book explores complex themes like trauma, psychopathy, and the blurred lines between good and evil, but they feel underdeveloped and lacking in depth.

check_circlePros

  • •The author's attempt to tackle tough themes like trauma and psychopathy is commendable.
  • •The writing is descriptive and immersive, making it easy to visualize the characters and settings.
  • •The story is engaging, and I found myself wanting to know what would happen next.
  • •The characters' backstories are rich and detailed, adding depth to the narrative.
  • •The author's use of language is evocative and engaging, making the story feel more real.
  • •The book explores some interesting themes and ideas, even if they're not fully developed.

cancelCons

  • •The story feels disjointed and lacks the cohesion of the first book.
  • •The characters' motivations and actions are inconsistent, making it hard to become invested in their journey.
  • •The pacing is slow and plodding, making it difficult to stay engaged.
  • •The themes and ideas explored in the book feel underdeveloped and lacking in depth.
  • •The characters' relationships with each other feel superficial and unconvincing.
  • •The book's climax is anticlimactic and fails to deliver on the promises made earlier in the story.
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You're Dead, Stas Shutov. Eli Froy

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