Thank you so much to NetGalley and Celadon for this advance copy of The Fury by Alex Michaelides; as a huge fan of his debut work, this was one of my most anticipated for this year.

It pains me to say that this one did NOT work for me at all - it’s my work book club pick for February, and if it wasn’t, I probably would’ve DNFed it. The only reason I’m giving it 2-stars instead of 1 is because I had the opportunity to meet the author and hear him talk about how he wrote the book and finding Elliot’s POV throughout the story, and I kept that in the back of my mind when reading it. I also liked how he told us that we’ll see Easter eggs from all of his books in each subsequent works, and they all take place in the same universe.

This is a Christie inspired “trapped on an island” murder, but the writing felt so choppy, and hung on a lot of random details that Elliot was telling us, when we should’ve gone more in detail with the actual plot. I actually rolled my eyes a few times wondering when something was going to happen.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review - I wish it would’ve worked out differently for me! The Fury released 1/16/24 and can be picked up in stores now.

With how much love I had for the silent patient I was wildly let down in this novel. The book spends more than 60% promising twists and turns and a big ta da on a greek island but I think the way its written in a way that often breaks the 3rd wall and spends so much time building up it makes the novel quite boring. The actual story happens in about the last 100 pages whereas 1/2 of the book is just promises. All in all it was an underwhelming slow burn thriller

This is now one of my all time favorites! I loved everything about it. The story was amazing and held my attention from start to finish!

I started reading this and couldn't put it down until I finished. "The Fury" is a triumph of storytelling that takes the reader on a winding emotional rollercoaster. It's one of those books that I wish I could read again for the first time.

The Fury by Alex Michaelides is a murder mystery set on a deserted island. A group of friends are trapped on island and one of them is found dead, leading to the obvious question-- who did it?

Except there is nothing obvious in this twisty and wild tale told by an unreliable narrator who constantly breaks the fourth wall to talk to the reader. The narrator is Elliot and it is quickly clear that he cannot be trusted. But who can be trusted is the big question in this story.

I found this story to be entertaining but also obnoxious and wacky. Elliot is a tough voice to handle as he is very annoying. I think he is purposely written that way, but it's a lot to take. I didn't mind his cheeky tone or the way that he addressed the reader, but as a whole, his character grated on my nerves. And since he is the one that is telling the whole story that also made the story grating as well.

One thing that drove me absolutely nuts though-- Elliot narrates in first person. But then randomly the story would switch to third person and describe things that the other characters were thinking that would have been impossible for Elliot to know. The narration fluctuated from first person from Elliot's perspective to more of an omniscient, all knowing narrator, and it just didn't make sense to me.

I will say that this story was a wild, unpredictable ride and it did keep me fairly entertained for most of the book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love this author works quite a bit so i’m so glad this one was great too. It was so thrilling and twisty. Building to the end was good but a lil slow for my liking BUT then the ending had my jaw on the floor so it all made perfect sense. Loved it.

Alex Michaelides's "The Fury" is a riveting thriller that keeps readers hooked from the very first page until the shocking conclusion. Set against the backdrop of a secluded Greek island, the novel follows a group of friends led by the mysterious Lana Farrar, a former movie star, whose annual Easter gathering takes a deadly turn when a murder occurs.

Initially, it gave me the vibes of Agatha Christie - limited suspects, an island, a murder. But as I read on I understood this book seems so far from 'Then there were none' or any of the Agatha Christie's thrillers. I enjoyed the last 100 pages, after all the initial lagging and build up the story pull together towards the end and gives us a fun payoff.

I really enjoyed the previous works from this author - The Silent Patient and The Maidens and definitely would be reading more from him.

Loved this book. It was so twisty, and had a similar feel to The Silent Patient. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC.

This book completely sucked me in! Having read The Silent Patient, I feel as though I already knew the what to expect stylistically from Alex Michaelides, which helped, because it is definitely unique. Alex Michaelides loves an unreliable narrator, and in this book it was certainly easier for me to sense compared to others.
Stylistically, the narrator jumped around a lot, which was distracting at first. The narrator goes back and forth between talking about the storyline in 1st person, while also addressing the audience, AND was also omnipresent when telling other people's storylines. So, that threw me for a loop, but it made the story very interesting (once I got used to it).
I feel as though this book had a similar ending to The Silent Patient - an ending that just kind of feels like it comes crashing and leaves you a little confused. I feel as thought I need to go back and re-read the last few chapters and epilogue to really understand the ending that Alex Michaelides was trying to tell.
After reading The Silent Patient, I skipped The Maidens because I heard it was so-so. However, now after reading The Fury, I will be going back to read The Maidens.

I loved the way this was written. The story is told in five acts, narrated by Elliot Chase as if he is retelling it to a friend / audience. That made it so much more entertaining to me. The first half felt really slow. I understand that we need to understand the characters & setting but it felt like it could've moved faster. Things luckily picked up around halfway & that's when I really became interested in figuring out what happened on this group trip. As much as I love a chaotic, fast paced thriller, the pacing felt too fast towards the end. Besides that, I did enjoy the ending. As far as these characters go...they all sucked. I was hoping for a shocking mystery & this wasn't that but, it was still en enjoyable read & the way it was written definitely added to my rating. I will always look forward to reading anything by Alex Michael's. Thank you to Netgalley & Celadon books for an are of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Qutie a bit happens in this murder mystery that will keep readers on their toes. Lana Farrar is fading movie star who has a close network of friends who accompany her on vacations to a isolated Greek island. We know early in the tale there is a murder but whodunit is the questions. Elliot Chase narrates the story but is totally unreliable as Michaelides inserts many head-spinning twists with various viewpoints of each scene. All the elements of a great closed door (island) murder are here but it seems the author is intent on confusing readers which leaves the final ending somewhat of a stretch in credibility. Still, each character is a suspect and Agatha Chrisite fans may be drawn to this novel.

Alex Michaelides' "The Fury" promised an enticing blend of suspense and celebrity drama set against the backdrop of a private Greek island. However, as I delved into the narrative, I found myself grappling with several aspects that left me profoundly dissatisfied.

At first glance, the premise of a group of famous friends gathering on a remote island, only to be embroiled in a murder mystery, held great promise. Yet, the execution fell short of expectations, primarily due to the pretentious tone of the narrator and the writing. The attempt at creating an aura of sophistication and intrigue came across as forced and affected, detracting from the overall immersion in the story.

Moreover, the characters within the novel proved to be insufferable and melodramatic, rendering it challenging to muster any investment in their fates. From the reclusive ex-movie star to her entourage of famous friends, each character exuded a sense of self-importance and entitlement that made them difficult to empathize with. As the narrative unfolded, I found myself growing increasingly detached, indifferent to the outcome of the central mystery.

The sheer number of characters introduced throughout the story further compounded my struggles, making it difficult to track who was who at times. This lack of clarity detracted from the overall cohesiveness of the narrative, taking me completely out of the story and hindering my ability to fully engage with the plot.

The ending, in particular, left much to be desired, culminating in an unrealistic twist that felt contrived and unsatisfying. While unexpected plot twists can enhance the reading experience, in this case, it served only to further distance me from the narrative, reinforcing my sense of disillusionment with the book.

In conclusion, "The Fury" by Alex Michaelides failed to deliver on its promise of suspense and intrigue, hindered by pretentious narration, unlikable characters, an overwhelming number of characters, and an implausible ending. While the premise held potential, the execution fell short, leaving me profoundly disappointed and disenchanted with the overall reading experience.

Thank you NetGalley and Alex Michaelides for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First of all I want to thank netgalley for this ARC. This book definitely did not disappoint I absolutely loved the writing style, I found it new and inventive! Such a great book for this author with a lineup of great books already.

The Fury
Stars: 4 X 5
Author: AlexMichaelides @alex.michaelides
Publisher: @celadonbooks
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC

This book starts out with Narrator Elliot Chase introducing himself. The book is set into three sections. once you get through section one the book is fabulous.

The book is set on Greek Island called Aura. The Island is owned by retired movie star Lana Farrar. It was a gift from her first husband Otto. Lana has decided to go to the island for Easter and invite a few friends. Along with Lana her in the island is her current husband Jason and son Leo who is 18 years old. She has also invited Elliot who is a playwrite, her friend and fellow actress Kate Crosby, housekeeper and friend, Agatha Mavropoilus. Living on the island is caretaker, Nikos Dalkin.

After they all are on the island, one of them is found dead. So now with only 6 people on the island one of them must be the murder. The events that occur and the twist and turns leading to and from the murder make the story so much more interesting and intriguing. Section two and three are worth reading the slow section one and they are done with flashback and present day. The characters become even more dynamic and complex. As chaos erupts after the murder and there is a storm that has descended on the island which traps the characters as the police are unable to reach the island. The thrill of this book and the ending are so worth it. Just remember to get through section one and read the rest of the story it will make more sense. I would of given this book a better rating but for me personally, I not like a narrator in a story.

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This book unfortunately was not for me. I did not enjoy the narrator, the story was very slow, and it seemed repetitive. At one point I just wanted it to end and to finally come to a conclusion. It tended to drill in the point that you have to hear this and this to get to why it was important to the story. I also did not enjoy the twists as they were very predictable. I'm so sad this happened because I loved The Silent Patient and was really looking forward to this book, but it just was not for me. Overall, rating 2 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book.

I enjoyed this book so much, it is wild and twisty with an unreliable narrator. You don’t like any of the characters which is exactly how it’s intended to be. It was drama and I was there for it.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

I really was excited about this novel, as I have enjoyed Michaelides's previous two. But I feel conflicted about this one. While I read through it quickly and there were lots of secrets and surprises that kept me interested and guessing along the way, the whole of it sort of fell flat for me when all was said and done. Elliot Chase, playwright and best friend of movie star Lana Farrar, narrates the story for us. It is a story of murder and deception, and he speaks to his readers as if we are having a drink together as old friends might. The plot is cleverly constructed and revealed only as Elliot deems appropriate. So what was the problem, you ask? I'm not sure...maybe it was in inevitability of the ending? Don't read that incorrectly...it wasn't predictable. It was inevitable. Which isn't a bad thing, I guess, as it means Michaelides did a fantastic job of writing his characters (especially his narrator). Definitely worth a read!

Many, many thanks to Celadon Books and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel!

3.5 stars. This is definitely a slow-burn of a thriller and it wasn't until the final act (of three) that I finally became invested. The Fury is narrated by Elliott, close friend of Lana, who is a famous celebrity who owns an island. One weekend, Lana invites Elliott, her friends, and her husband to a weekend away on the island but quickly the trip is soured when someone is murdered... and the murderer is on the island. The Fury had tons of potential, but it honestly just left me feeling sad in the end. Alex Michaelides remains one of my favorite authors, but this book wasn't my favorite of his. I look forward to whatever he writes in the future! Thank you to Celadon Books and Netgalley for my advanced copy.

An epic tale of betrayal and murder. If you loved The Talented Mr. Ripley, you will enjoy the twists and turns of The Fury. Told to us the reader as if we are seating at the bar with the main character Elliott, he weaves a tragic Greek play. Gripping and exhausting like a whirlwind.
Thanks Netgalley for the advanced reading copy. So very happy to receive and review.