I really enjoyed reading this book. I can't say enough to recommend it - in fact, the only thing that could possibly ruin it for you, is if you read this post before reading the book. What am I saying? Oh...I don't know...Stop, stop right now. Stop reading. Stop. Reading. Now. Go on Facebook or Deathbycute.com* or something.
There. I've done my duty and made the world a better place.
Now, to ruin the experience, here are a few things that I really enjoyed about this book, aside from solid writing, and plot twists. There's a lot I could talk about here, but I will control myself, and only mention these:
Fantasy Fulfillment #1: You know that saying, that cardinal rule, how you can never change the person you're with - how you have to accept them as they are? Well, apparently, if you conspire to frame your significant other for your death - he will become a better, stronger, more intelligent person to rise to the challenge you have laid for him, and he also will not kill you.
Fantasy Fulfillment #2: Breaking up twins. Ever been with someone great, but who came with a complete @$$ of a sibling or friend? And you have to be nice to that person, right? Because for some God-forsaken reason, these two are bound together for life, and you just have to suck it up. Well...no. It was unbelievably satisfying how Amy managed to break up a Nick's twinship (twins dammit!) with Margo. I didn't like Margo.
Writing a solid male character while being a female: I realize this is a skill, being able to portray the other gender, but I usually notice if male characters are too sensitive and talk about their feelings too much (female authors), or female characters who are too whiny and superficial (male authors). I thought Gillian did an excellent job with this one.
Awesome female character: Yes, Amy is a sociopath, and a sociopath who gets her way in the end, and some who, on some level, I was hoping would die. Basically - you know that person who you are happy to see die, but you respect them enough to go to their funeral? Well, that circumstance applies here. I don't often come across enough interesting female characters, particularly ones who are willing to self-rape and kill in cold blood, and that often makes me sad.
Sheer Ballsiness: I wasn't sure if Gillian was actually going to go there - was she really going to have Amy and Nick get back together for a truly psychotic ending? With a child?? I'm always afraid to go over the top in my work, in case it wouldn't be believable, lose credibility, lost reader interest, etc. There were many ways I could have seen her ending it, but she decided to go for the gold by laying out a believable reconciliation and choke-out scene.
* I don't ever actually go on Deathbycute.com. That's just some website I googled for the hell of it.
