I am forever grateful to #netgalley and #saintmartinspress for the ability to read and review this novel before it publishes on February 23, 2021. I’m ready to just pretend it’s 2021 already. Is that okay with y’all?

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I’ve been a fan of Tatiana de Rosnay since Sarah’s Key, so when I spotted this new release, I knew I had to read it.
The themes of this new novel are ones we can all relate to (see description below), but the author so subtly takes you there that the act of reading seems like hypnosis (protagonist Clarissa happens to be a fan).

Reading this was like gliding on a kayak with your best girlfriend for several hours on a perfectly clear, sunny day, while leisurely eating a peach, and letting your guard down only to be pleasantly surprised by some rapids that aren’t terrifying — just entertaining and interesting — and then turning to your friend and saying, “well now! That wasn’t what I was expecting! Let’s do it again.”


Please check out this book when it is available and also get your hands on her backlist!






Description
New York Times bestselling author Tatiana de Rosnay's Flowers of Darkness explores how artificial intelligence tampers with love, sex, and the basis of artistic creation in a new future Paris.

CASA is a brand new artist residency in an ultra-modern apartment, with a view of all of Paris. A dream for any novelist in search of tranquility. But is this residency a dream or a nightmare? Since moving in, Clarissa Katsef has had ominous discomfort, the feeling of being watched. Who is behind CASA? Is Clarissa right to be wary or does she too easily give in to paranoia, falling victim to an overly fertile imagination? Meanwhile, Clarissa is still haunted by the betrayal that led her to divorce.

Staying true to her favorite themes—the imprint of the place, the weight of secrets—de Rosnay weaves an intrigue of thrilling suspense to explore the threats hanging over a precious asset: our privacy.




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This novel is told from the perspective of Clarissa, a bilingual English/French writer who is enamored of Virginia Wolfe and Romain Gary. She is currently in the midst of a separation and divorce during the post-Brexit era. Clarissa is searching for a place of her own, and finds an artist's retreat in Paris called CASA. This home becomes aless than nurturing place due to the constant monitoring by CASA founders- somewhat like Big Brother in 1984.
I found deMornay's writing rather stilted and forced in this book, much unlike her wonderful book Sarah's Key.

I was so excited by the premise of this book. However, it just could not capture my attention. From the start, the reader is enveloped by ominousness — which I loved — but there was nothing compelling me to keep reading. I was hoping there would be more tension or action early on. It's possible my expectations were off, and hopefully other readers find this to be a better fit for what they want.

Sarah’s Key is one of my top book choices, so I was thrilled to receive this advance reader copy from Netgalley. The author, and the setting of Paris is where this book is like Sarah’s key. They rest is a departure. That being said, this book is so thought provoking and flows at an excellent pace. Set in the future, but not hard to see how today’s event could lead there. Imagine how our phones and computers are keeping an eye on us. How unnerving would it be if you knew how much information they were collecting. If you’ve ever read 1984, pick up this updated edition. I think it would be an excellent book club discussion and can’t wait for its release.

de Rosnay's newest is set in Paris - in the future. A future that is sad, frightening in its possibilities, and delicious. I loved it. It kept me on the edge of my seat end I read it straight through in one sitting. Wow.

It’s THE place to be for an artist. CASA is housed in a sleek modern Paris apartment building and writer Clarissa Katsef feels blessed to be there. At least at first, then she begins to feel she’s being watched, but how can that be. Surely it’s just her imagination. Still, Clarissa can’t get over the feeling something is wrong. Is she still suffering from the fallout of a painful divorce, or is something more sinister going on. de Rosnay’s legion of fans will enjoy her newest, most original story