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.

The Fury masterfully reworked one of my favorite tropes- a locked door mystery, with an island as the setting instead of the typical creepy old home. I also always enjoy the narrator being a little bit of the mystery in and of itself. I don't know if this quite rose to the level of Silent Patient for me, but I did enjoy it much more than The Maidens. Celadon Books seems to be becoming one of my most reliable imprints- thank you for the ARC!! Four stars.

TW: Language, drinking, drug use, toxic parent relationships, violence, guns, animal death (not graphic), bullying, cheating, suicide (mention)]

*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Lana Farrar is a reclusive ex–movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Every year, she invites her closest friends to escape the English weather and spend Easter on her idyllic private Greek island.

I tell you this because you may think you know this story. You probably read about it at the time ― it caused a real stir in the tabloids, if you remember. It had all the necessary ingredients for a press a celebrity; a private island cut off by the wind…and a murder.We

found ourselves trapped there overnight. Our old friendships concealed hatred and a desire for revenge. What followed was a game of cat and mouse ― a battle of wits, full of twists and turns, building to an unforgettable climax. The night ended in violence and death, as one of us was found murdered.

But who am I?

My name is Elliot Chase, and I’m going to tell you a story unlike any you’ve ever heard.
Release Date:
Genre: Mystery/thriller
Pages: 298
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

What I Liked:
1. Plot sounded interesting
2. Writing style is good
3. Like the format of the book

What I Didn't Like:
1. Some parts rambled a lot
2. Holes in plots

Overall Thoughts:
I found it interesting that almost every chapter seems to end with some kind of form of "She could kill him" or "He wanted to murder the bird". It's like a trick to guess who was the killer.

I am such a sucker for a story with an isolated location so I was eager to jump into this book. Previously I had not liked any of this authors other books.

We quickly learn that Elliott is not a dependable narrator as he'll back pedal to things that really happened and to things that didn't.

I found it peculiar how quick Lana was able to run to Kate and forgive her. They plot out the fake death of Elliot all the way dismissing how Jason so easily cheated on her. I understood why she would be upset because she read that Elliot wanted to kill Jason but it just felt weird.

I just didn't understand why they just didn't go to the island with him and just stop talking to him. Why do they have to take him to the island and go through with his plan and then kill "him" off? I feel like that part kind of made no sense like they made no effort to even cut him off first for him to even be like a psycho and stalk them. It was such an extreme reaction.

We do find out though that Elliot has killed Lana after they pretend to kill him. I just this ending was not good. It made little to no sense. Lana is so terrified of Elliot after reading that he wants to kill her husband that she invites him to this island where they pretend to kill him and then they think that he's not going to retaliate when she already thought he was dangerous. Why would they think that they're okay if this person already was planning on killing this person and they believed it?

I've read reviews where people said they feel like they didn't get to know Elliot and I think that's the point. No one really knew him. We went through a whole story and even he tells us that maybe the ending is a lie too. Elliot is a narcissistic and manipulative person. Reading through the book you start to think back on everything he's said. I started wondering if he even loved Lana or was he trying to get her to marry him for the money. Did she even really really have him in her will? So many questions. Was he going to kill Lana on the island and frame Jason and Kate for her murder?

Final Thoughts:
I am shocked that I enjoyed this book because like I said before I haven't liked the authors previous books, but this one was interesting.

I really enjoyed the way the story was told. I liked that the narrator, Elliot was telling us things forward and then would jump back to kind of remember that moment. I really thought that added an extra layer to the book.

I didn't really find the characters that irritating until we kind of got to the end. I didn't like the way they were trying to force him to commit death by suicide. It made me feel odd.

There were some parts that I felt made little to no sense in the story.

IG | Blog


Thanks to Netgalley and Celadon Books for the ebook & Macmillan Audio for the audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thought it was Meh...It didn't do it for me. It was more of a mystery instead of a thriller one of those who done it type of a read wasn't one of my favorites from him I stll feel like The Silent Patient was my favorite out of his books.

What can I say? A who dunnit with twists and turns. This generation’s Agatha Christie type book. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Similar pacing & anxiety-inducing narration as Silent Patient. What Silent Patient lacked in descriptive scenery, The Fury makes up ten-fold. Add in the factors of shiny celebrity, wealth, and isolation, and you have a mouth-watering setup.

While I devoured this in hours, something about the narrator stuck in my craw. He's meant to be annoying, to be a pest and a prick, but to a certain point it was distracting.

This was a good book. I enjoyed the unique story telling in this book. Interesting well developed characters as well as a unique collection of characters. Love the description of the island and the fury! I was hoping for a bit more in terms of Lana and Jason's story--how much did she know about his work issues? Also, would have liked a little more background information on Niko, the caretaker of the island. This kept me coming back and wanting to see what happened next. Overall a great read!

Lana a famous movie star who has retired takes her fabulous friends to her private island for Easter. What happens there is twisty and so crazy. There is maybe a little murder involved. The story is told by her friend Elliot and he does a great job of it. There’s a ot going on in this story and I loved all of it. I recommend this book.

THE FURY is a wonderful retelling of a murder plot with all the drama of Greek Tragedy. Michaelides continues to gift his readers complex and flawed characters as they navigate the murky waters of life, love, and death.

The author weaves together a tale of deception, lies, and obsession through the eyes of Elliot Chase, the author of this fictional account of a scheme fit for any stage. With every twist and turn, I could imagine Elliot sitting down and deciding how to present the events of the island on that weekend. There is an unreliable nature to him that adds to the intrigue. As a reader, I never quite knew if what he was saying would be true because duplicity seemed like second nature to him. But by the end, all things are revealed.

This book is such a juicy, bingeable read. It will pull you in from the opening chapter and have you furiously flipping through the pages to find out what is going to happen next. Michaelides delivers another wildly entertaining book.

Audiobook Note: Narrator Alex Jennings gave a perfectly theatrical performance for this book. The pace was spot on, and the flow was effortless. I loved the way he brought Elliot to life. Even when I wasn’t listening to the book and sat with the physical book, it was Jennings I would imagine Elliot sounding like in my head.

The Fury is a fast paced book with short chapters that kept me entertained. The plot was interesting though familiar, in fact it is self-referential in the fact that it resembled Agatha Christie. Though it was a fast read, the plot twists were somewhat unbelievable and as i didn't really find any characters likeable, i was not very invested in the ending. I prefer Michaelides' other novels to this one.

I don't know how anybody says this is a slow burn thriller, I found the pacing to be perfect and really enjoyed this one! Having read The Silent Patient when it first came out, I knew that the author was capable of some really great twists and turns, and The Fury did not disappoint. I found the unreliable narrator to be great, I loved the breaking of the fourth wall, but didn't take it too seriously. Sure, he couldn't have possibly known a lot of the situations that happened, but I could personally overlook this technicality because I had so much fun reading this one. It kept be hooked right up until the end, and I enjoyed the book very much. I love a mystery that takes its twists and turns right up until the last page, and that's definitely what this book did. Overall, this book was a fun way to spend a day reading for me!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

One thing is clear about Alex Michaelides, his writing style doesn‘t follow a certain script. After The Silent Patient and the Maidens comes his third novel, The Fury, a tale of a murder, but not really. Because at it‘s heart is a love story. Beautifully written to capture the reader and incorporates so many twists and turns that you can‘t out the book down until you‘ve finished reading it. It is absolutely brilliantly written and I‘m looking forward to his future releases!!