Scan barcode
seyoban's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
urat_forta's review against another edition
4.0
A solid entertaining read. Some surprises/twists. Didn’t feel like there was enough evolution of the culty aspects (both in regards to the pacing and the final form… I’m not sure how to better describe). Nothing truly unique and the writing isn’t mind blowing, but summer read on the beach ? Totally fits the bill!
taking_tea_with_the_hatter's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nickyskene's review against another edition
5.0
As a big fan of Louise Jensen’s previous books I jumped at the chance to read this and I have to say I was not disappointed! The Family is by far my favourite (perhaps my favourite book this year)! The storyline is fantastic, the characters very well written and the twists unseen. I had so many questions and suspicions throughout the book - the answers unexpected. I loved how the story was told from certain characters perspectives - especially between mother and daughter. It really made me think about how others perceive the same situation/conversations in a different way. If you’re looking for a great read - I cannot recommend this enough. Could not put this down!
calturner's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book I’ve read by Louise Jensen, but it definitely won’t be my last. The Family is a brilliantly written and suspense filled psychological thriller that I could not put down. It captured my imagination from the very first word and didn’t let go until the final page had been turned. Gripping and fast paced, this book is a thrilling and exhilarating read that I did not want to end.
Laura is grieving after the sudden death of her husband and is struggling to cope. When local community Oak Leaf Organics offer her and her 17 year old daughter, Tilly, a home, Laura is hopeful this new life will be exactly what she needs. But just as Laura and Tilly begin to settle into life with their new ‘family’, sinister things start to happen. And as enamoured as Laura is by Alex, the leader of the community, she makes the decision to pack her bags and go. But then Tilly refuses to leave with her mother, completely under the spell of the charismatic Alex. Desperate to save her daughter, Laura uncovers a horrifying secret, one that could change everything. But just as she’s been digging into their past, they’ve been digging into hers and Laura soon discovers exactly why she and Tilly were invited to stay in the first place… and why Alex and his family will never let them leave.
The story is told from the perspective of Laura, Tilly and Alex, which I felt worked very well here as it gave an insight into what each character was thinking or feeling at any given time. There are twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout, the tension rising with each chapter as the horrifying truth is slowly revealed. I could see why both Laura and Tilly were enamoured by Alex as I have to admit I was quite taken with him myself! Although I knew from the start things weren’t right, I found myself hoping everything really was as lovely as it at first seemed. But oh my goodness, I certainly didn’t expect the story to go in the direction it eventually did. I was completely sucked into the story and then, bam, I was hit by surprise after surprise. The story moved along at breakneck speed, leaving me breathless as it hurtled towards its final, shocking denouement.
Wow, I really did not expect this book to be as fantastic as it turned out to be. Louise Jensen’s exquisite writing drew me into the lives of these characters, with the beautifully woven plot taking me on an intoxicating journey of discovery as I tried to work out who I could trust and who I most certainly could not. A dark, chilling and creepy read that kept the surprises coming right up until the final big reveal. Simply outstanding!
The Family is a brilliantly written psychological thriller that I would highly recommend.
Laura is grieving after the sudden death of her husband and is struggling to cope. When local community Oak Leaf Organics offer her and her 17 year old daughter, Tilly, a home, Laura is hopeful this new life will be exactly what she needs. But just as Laura and Tilly begin to settle into life with their new ‘family’, sinister things start to happen. And as enamoured as Laura is by Alex, the leader of the community, she makes the decision to pack her bags and go. But then Tilly refuses to leave with her mother, completely under the spell of the charismatic Alex. Desperate to save her daughter, Laura uncovers a horrifying secret, one that could change everything. But just as she’s been digging into their past, they’ve been digging into hers and Laura soon discovers exactly why she and Tilly were invited to stay in the first place… and why Alex and his family will never let them leave.
The story is told from the perspective of Laura, Tilly and Alex, which I felt worked very well here as it gave an insight into what each character was thinking or feeling at any given time. There are twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout, the tension rising with each chapter as the horrifying truth is slowly revealed. I could see why both Laura and Tilly were enamoured by Alex as I have to admit I was quite taken with him myself! Although I knew from the start things weren’t right, I found myself hoping everything really was as lovely as it at first seemed. But oh my goodness, I certainly didn’t expect the story to go in the direction it eventually did. I was completely sucked into the story and then, bam, I was hit by surprise after surprise. The story moved along at breakneck speed, leaving me breathless as it hurtled towards its final, shocking denouement.
Wow, I really did not expect this book to be as fantastic as it turned out to be. Louise Jensen’s exquisite writing drew me into the lives of these characters, with the beautifully woven plot taking me on an intoxicating journey of discovery as I tried to work out who I could trust and who I most certainly could not. A dark, chilling and creepy read that kept the surprises coming right up until the final big reveal. Simply outstanding!
The Family is a brilliantly written psychological thriller that I would highly recommend.
literati2000's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
definitely a strong thriller. got me out of a slight reading slump. i didn’t predict the twists, good ending!
rmarcin's review
4.0
This is a dark psychological thriller that opens up with a bloody scene. Laura and her 17 year-old daughter, Tilly, are grieving the death of Gavan, their husband/father. Financial, medical, and social struggles lead them to accept an offer to live on an organic farm commune. Mysterious things happen along with strange rituals, but there are a lot of twists that you likely won’t see coming, although one or two are obvious. All of the drama ends with a thought provoking question, which the author leaves for you to decide.
blogginboutbooks's review
3.0
I find books about cults and other closed societies interesting, so I was eager to give THE FAMILY a go. While it definitely pulled me in and kept me reading, overall I found it a disappointing read. Why? It lacked subtlety in many ways. The characters, for one, just drove me crazy. Although Laura's sympathetic, she's kind of an idiot. I just couldn't understand her thinking and actions throughout her time on the farm—she seemed so clueless and dumb about everything. Tilly's actions are equally stupid, but they're more believable since she's a teenager. As charming as Alex is supposed to be, I found him creepy from the get-go. It made no sense to me that all the women were in love with him. Why? Ick. Plot-wise, the book moves along at a steady pace. I saw most of the twists coming, but not all. By the end of the novel, I was just reading to get it over with, really. In the end, then, THE FAMILY just felt like another cult thriller with nothing unique or original about it (except the Wales setting). It's melodramatic and unsatisfying. As far as the characters go, they're mostly an unlikable lot who get what they deserve. Needless to say, this was only an average read (maybe less) for me. I won't be returning to this author.
nickymaund's review
4.0
The Family starts with what is left of Laura’s family, literally falling apart. Her husband Gavan has recently died and his death is being investigated. She’s got no financial support, her own parents kicked her out as a teen and now her husband’s brother and his family have turned their backs. All she’s got left is her 17 year old daughter Tilly, their grief and spiralling debt. She’s desperate. Then a beacon of light sends her to the ‘family’ living at Gorphwysfa, a farm in the country. And its charismatic (but mysterious) leader Alex, charms her and Tilly and life with the family is so much easier. But then niggling doubts appear. Something mysterious is going on. I have to say this book had me gripped. It was tense and had me guessing which way it was going to turn. One thing that took a way that last star (and it’s nothing directed at Jensen) was that secrets play a huge part to this story and none of the characters redeem themselves at the end. I just want to smash their heads together to knock some sense into them. (But I’m guessing that was Jensen’s intention!) A brilliant read, but I really want to slap the characters.