The Maidens

The Maidens by Alex Michealides

REVIEW-

1.5 stars for the dark academia and Greek mythology fusion, which was a really good idea and setting and getting me hyped up when Theo Faber and Alicia were mentioned from the Silent Patient book and till then, things were going good. I was enjoying the book. I really liked it when the author connected this book to his previous one, though, there was no mention of Mariana or Zoe in that book.

BUT !!!!! THE ENDING JUST RUINED IT FOR ME

The ending wasn't good, I think it was rather rushed and the whole plot twist didn't work for me.

I was low-key impressed with the connection b/w both the books but then came the "plot-twist". How am I supposed to believe the "twist" if there is noooo absolutely noooo indication of it whatsoever.

Okay, so I have read books where the person who did it was absolutely unexpected but those mysteries need a different kind of execution which The Maidens clearly lacked. You can't just wake up and tell me that the character who was basically WITH the mc all of time was the "killer" and then expect me to believe it. I feel like if some main character is the person behind all the mess, there should be subtle hints dropped throughout the book or at least a plausible explanation as to why they did it. This book offered me neither and hence, it was a disappointing read for me :/

Adding to this, all that psychic-thing is really not my "thing". I love to read about special powers and all that stuff but, I HATE it when authors try to describe XYZ event with things like ghost or psychic abilities in a book that is not in paranormal genre. Like, if I wanted to read about them, I would just read paranormal books. It makes me feel like the author could not find any answer as to why or how that particular thing happened so they will cover the plot hole with the all-purpose cement called "paranormal activities".

I knew, that as from the start the professor is the suspect, he most likely wouldn't be the killer but still there were chances of me being wrong. I also suspected Julian, Fred and Morris but alas, I was wrong. The real killer was Zoe because Zoe and Sebastian planned it before his death and now Zoe wanted to sacrifice something to offer her respected to Sebastian. Well, she did sacrifice her sanity for him. Throughout the book, there was no hint that Zoe and Sebastian were having an affair behind Mariana's back. I believe the ending would have been complete if there were some hints. When Mariana found the letter and there was the word "premonition" there, I knew that Fred would be the one behind this mess and he also followed them but no, I was wrong.

I really felt that I would like the book and I did like it but the ending ruined all the fun. And a mystery book MUST offer a good and understandable ending.

1.5 stars