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Member Reviews

Thank you Netgalley, Celadon Books, and Alex Michaelides for free e-ARC in return of my honest review of The Fury.

The narrator, Elliot Chase, tells the story of an ex-movie star who returns to her idyllic Greek island to celebrate Easter with a group of friends—a cherished annual tradition. But this year, the serene holiday quickly unravels into something much darker, as the gathering takes a deadly turn and spirals into a tale of murder.

Overall, the novel is quite gripping, with a few unexpected twists and turns that kept me intrigued. I found myself drawn into the narrative and finished the book in just a few days. The pacing was strong, and the unfolding mystery held my attention throughout.

That said, the characters felt somewhat underdeveloped to me—more like archetypes than fully fleshed-out individuals. While the plot was engaging, the emotional depth and complexity I look for in a thriller were somewhat lacking. It wasn’t the most thrilling thriller I’ve read, but it was certainly entertaining and held enough intrigue to make it worth the read.

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Was this my fav Alex M book? No. Did I still enjoy the ride? Yes. The little nod at the end to one of his other characters from a previous book, might have been my fav little tid but. Very Agatha Christie vibe. Enjoyed, but didn’t love like the rest of his books. Proved a little slower than my murdery tastes.

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I just couldn't get into the narrating, and the characters I could've cared less about. It didn't seem to get too thrilling and the reveal didn't jog my interest either.

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3.5 stars. I was so excited to get an advanced copy of this book, as I loved The Silent Patient & enjoyed the Maidens, and love Alex Michaelides’ recurring themes of Greek mythology. I enjoyed reading the book well enough, though I didn’t love the narration or feel like Elliott (our narrator) was much more than a series of cliches, but he was obviously not meant to be a sympathetic character.

I’m a sucker for a whodunnit & a whydunnit, which propelled me through the book, along with a number of “j/k, here’s what REALLY happened” moments that piqued my curiosity, & of course, the mention of a character who readers of The Silent Patient & The Maidens will recognize in the epilogue (whose mention has become a bit of a signature of Michaelides…)

Ultimately, I felt underwhelmed by this book. Perhaps The Silent Patient left me with high expectations for The Fury, and if this were the first of his books I’d read, I might have a slightly higher opinion. I’ll still get my hands on whatever he publishes next, since he’s proven his ability to enthrall me completely with his writing before.

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This authors work is hit and miss for me, the fact instead book was amazing but felt let down. Y the second. This was a return to form, really great story gripping and really enjoyed,

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Thank you to Celadon Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy (which I was very late to read 🙈) in exchange for my honest opinion.

The author’s debut novel, The Silent Patient, was a 5 star read for me and always sets my expectations for the author’s books.

In this one, I really enjoyed the unreliable narrator who was reading the book to the reader like a play. I also kept feeling like this had white lotus vibes because we knew someone died at the start and then the narrator tells us their version of events leading up.

I did enjoy some of the twists but it didn’t live up to the twist of the silent patient for me.

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This was not really for me. I found it boring. I appreciate Netgalley giving me the opportunity to read it.

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This was off to a great start until somewhere around part two. Then it slowed down a lot and while there were some twists and turns I’m not sure it ever recovered.

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I can always count on Michaelides to write a mindf*ck of a story. Just when I thought I had it all figured out... PS - any author that makes a callback to a character in a previous novel is a fav of mine!!

Thank you Celadon and Netgalley!

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I recently finished The Fury by Alex Michaelides, and I have to say, it didn't quite meet my expectations. While I appreciated the atmospheric Greek island setting and the premise of a secluded gathering turning sinister, the story felt slow and lacked the gripping tension I was hoping for. The narrator, Elliot, was intriguing as an unreliable storyteller, but at times, his constant interjections and asides became more distracting than engaging. The plot twists, though present, didn't deliver the shock factor I anticipated, leaving me somewhat underwhelmed. Overall, while there were moments of intrigue, The Fury didn't captivate me as much as I'd hoped

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As a massive fan of the Silent Patient, I was excited our book club chose to read this title in March 2024. And given that the story takes place around Easter, the timing felt perfect. Alex Michaelides writing style is so consumable. I flew through this book, finishing it in just two days. We specifically used the term “popcorn thriller” to describe this book. There was a good deal of anticipation in the early chapters, but the excitement was limited to the end and did not feel memorable.

On average, our book club rated this book a solid 3 stars, which was in line with my own personal rating as well. It does feel like a very mid-level thriller. My own take was that the author set up some plot points just for the sake of creating a twist. I felt like the unreliable narrator was overplayed here. I was tired of Elliott’s point of view possibly because he was such an unlikeable character.

The setting in Greece was possibly one of the biggest draws for our group and ended up being one of my favorite elements of the author’s writing. I thought he set the scene of the private island well, but it’s part in the narrative didn’t come to fruition like we hoped.

The epilogue does contain a spoiler for the Silent Patient. For those who have not read it, proceed with caution. However, it is a fun tie in between the two novels for his readers.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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The Fury is a gripping and intense thriller that takes readers on a whirlwind ride of mystery, vengeance, and suspense. The stakes are high, and the twists come fast, making it impossible to put down. It’s an electrifying journey into the depths of human emotions and secrets.

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I probably would’ve enjoyed this more if it had been my first book by the author. It started strong but eventually felt a bit boring. Knowing early on that the main character was unreliable made the plot twists lose their impact and, honestly, made the whole read feel a bit pointless.

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I've been a fan of Alex Michaelides since The Silent Patient, so I was eager to read this book. I really enjoyed it! It was a fast read (I felt like the pace of the story was quick, so the pages just seemed to fly). Going in, I figured there would be a twist, so I was constantly on the lookout. And, even though I didn't feel I could trust the narrator, the story still managed to surprise me with twists and turns. Definitely didn't disappoint.

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The Fury by Alex Michaelides is a psychological thriller that explores themes of vengeance, obsession, and the dark sides of human nature. The story follows a psychologist who becomes entangled in a complex and dangerous situation involving a Hollywood star, a murder, and a series of mysterious events.

Michaelides' writing is atmospheric and gripping, with a slow-building tension that keeps the reader on edge. The twists and turns are well-crafted, and the psychological depth of the characters adds layers of intrigue. As with his previous works, Michaelides excels in keeping the audience guessing until the final, shocking revelation.

Overall, The Fury is a compelling and suspenseful read for fans of psychological thrillers. It delivers a tight, twist-filled plot and a dark, immersive atmosphere that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

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This was really not for me. It felt very uninspired, and i just wasn't motivated to finish it. I requested it on impulse because I know the author is popular. That was a mistake, but I doubt it will hinder the book given how overly popular Michaelides it.

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I really enjoyed The Fury by Alex Michaelides. It had that same twisty, mind-bending vibe as The Silent Patient, which kept me hooked from the start. The characters, especially the main one, were complex and intriguing—there’s a real puzzle to their psyches that keeps you engaged. Michaelides does a fantastic job building tension, and you’re constantly questioning what’s real and who to trust.
The pacing was a bit slow at times, and the story takes a while to pick up, so if you’re expecting constant twists, you might find a few moments dragging. The ending was definitely shocking, though it could feel a little predictable for anyone familiar with his style, but it still worked as a solid payoff.
Overall, I loved the dark psychological tension and the way the story unfolded. It kept me on edge the whole way through.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Celadon and the writer for an advanced copy of the book.

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2.5
I just didn't see the point.
The story was so blah and the chosen format just couldn't be brought up in rating but the twist at the end.
I didn't like the way the narrator talked to the reader but was part of the original story, kept jumping around, and inserting unreliable commentary.
If I heard one more time, but that's not what really happened...

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I really wanted to like this book. It became extremely confusing at multiple different points. I understand it was an unreliable narrator, but truly much of it didn’t make sense. Though I didn’t like it, i’m sure many will.

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The Fury is By Alex Michaelides. It's a thriller that I couldn't put down. the twists and turns had me at every corner. I was intrigued when I found out that the author of one of my favorite books The Silent Patient had written another book. I went in blind so i didn't ruin anything. I strongly suggest reading this book that way. Thank you Alex Michaelides, Netgalley and Celadon Books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

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