Very slow. Read about half the book. Tried to give it a chance. It was like the author did not know where he was going with the plot. ( )

If I was one to cuss a lot, this would be an instance where I cuss out of shock from this book. "Pines" started out how I expected...but then just escalated up and up and up and the THREW ME FOR A GIANT SPINNING LOOP. I mean, I heard this was creepy and unexpected but that did nothing to prepare me for this wild ride.
I quite literally had to pace while reading parts of this, it made me so nervous and on edge! "Pines" has a staggeringly mysterious and intense plot. While the writing style itself is a bit stilted and could be more robust and descriptive, it's that achingly gasp-worthy plot that's gonna reel people in to the story. I can't WAIT to read the next book! I'll add more detail this review once I can get my thoughts together. ( )

Five Star Entertainment from Start to Finish!

I listened to the audible version of this. Very entertaining, every time I thought I had it figured out, something else would happen going in another direction. Excellent character development, and an original story unlike any I've ever read.

Kind of reminded me of a cross between Michael Crichton and Stephen King (the **good** Stephen King, the one who wrote The Stand and The Shining, not the body snatcher from another planet currently occupying his body, churning out crap like "The Dome"...).

I've read Blake Crouch before but nothing that made an impression on me. This, however, was different and I couldn't stop until I finished it. I've already purchased the sequel and look forward to listening to it. ( )

Raamat, mis mind üllatas. Tagakaanel on lubatud midagi, mis sobib "Twin Peaksi" ja "Losti" fännidele, kuid lugema hakates tundus see kõva ülepingutusena. Aga mida edasi läks, seda paremaks. Seda kahtlasemaks, seda süngemaks. Imelikumaks. Segasemaks. Enne kui arugi sain, oli tagumine kaas vastas, aga õnneks on teine osa kohe võtta. Loodetavasti tase püsib.

( )

I found it to be really fun and exciting to compare and contrast the way the television show was done as compared to the source material, the book series. I loved seeing where things were similar and where they were vastly different. And boy! Were they vastly different for the most part! And, that's not a critique. I loved the television show and I love the first book (haven't read the others yet, so can't comment on those) as related works and as completely separate and individual works. They're wonderful.

The way Crouch writes is very easy to read and follow and understanding. This was a page-turner that I could hardly put down and I practically devoured it. The book answered a lot of the lingering questions that I had after watching the first season of the show and almost all of the questions that the book itself with all of its differences raised for me as I read it.

The only critique that I have is that there are places where it seems like Crouch could have done a little more research into certain things, but nothing altogether too drastic. I don't expect perfect adherence to science, for example, because when dealing with sci-fi elements you absolutely have to tweak things or even make things up. I just thought some of the tweaking and making-up-of-things in certain areas could've benefited by a bit more research. But, it's a nitpick rather than a true detraction. The book doesn't hurt for it.

I would absolutely recommend this book series to someone else. In a heartbeat. ( )