[amazon_image id="0061689378" link="true" target="_blank" size="large" ]Don’t Breathe a Word: A Novel[/amazon_image]
Title: [amazon_link id="0061689378" target="_blank" ]Don’t Breathe a Word[/amazon_link]
Author: Jennifer McMahon
Genre: Contemporary Psychological Thriller
Publication Date: May 17, 2011
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Amazon Synopsis:
On a soft summer night in Vermont, twelve-year-old Lisa went into the woods behind her house and never came out again. Before she disappeared, she told her little brother, Sam, about a door that led to a magical place where she would meet the King of the Fairies and become his queen.
Fifteen years later, Phoebe is in love with Sam, a practical, sensible man who doesn’t fear the dark and doesn’t have bad dreams—who, in fact, helps Phoebe ignore her own. But suddenly the couple is faced with a series of eerie, unexplained occurrences that challenge Sam’s hardheaded, realistic view of the world. As they question their reality, a terrible promise Sam made years ago is revealed—a promise that could destroy them all.
My Thoughts:
Don’t Breathe a Word is Jennifer McMahon’s fifth novel. She has quickly shown herself to be a phenomenal writer. She has the ability to create worlds that tantalize your senses; characters whom you love to root for (and love to hate!); and storylines that keep you on the edge of your seat, in joyful (or is it fearful?) anticipation of what’s coming next. Unfortunately, for me, Don’t Breathe a Word did not live up to the Jennifer McMahon I have come to know and love.
It’s probably because of the fairies.
It’s not really a secret that I’m not a fan of the paranormal/fantasy genre. There are minor exceptions and for an author that I enjoy (i.e. Jennifer McMahon), I am willing to give the book a chance. But I just didn’t get it. There is a lot of suspense; a lot of drama; a lot of action. But the whole fairy angle just threw me. And it might be because of how the novel wrapped up. I was kind of with it until the last third and then the book rushed to the end and I was left feeling completely bewildered. I still don’t completely understand how everything tied together. The author set the book up so intricately through the first 2/3rds and then seemed to rush the ending. The ending is the money, the payoff for the reader. We’ve gone along for the ride for 300+ pages and to feel disappointed at the end just made me feel like I wasted all that time.
I enjoyed the characters and the psychological suspense of the plot. It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next. In that regard, Jennifer McMahon is a master. She reveals just enough to make you wonder what is going on and to keep you riveted at things to come.
I really wanted to like this book, but that wasn’t the case. There are definitely some great things about it, but the end just confused me and left me feeling like I missed something. I do suggest you read it for yourself, though, because it has gotten some great reviews – more positive than negative. If you’ve read it, please leave a link to your review in the comments!
Final Rating:
I can understand your confusion to a certain extent. I know I liked it a lot better than you did, but it was definitely a book that causes the reader to say “huh?” several times.
Here’s my review: http://myrandomactsofreading.blogspot.com/2011/05/dont-breathe-word-by-jennifer-mcmahon.html
Thank you for the review. I can’t wait to read this book!
I always appreciate your honest reviews. I’ve been kind of curious about this book, but I don’t think I’ll get to it anytime soon (my tbr pile is big already).
I felt the same way about the end!! I said in my review I felt duped. I think I was just shocked at the direction of the story, Ive read 3 of her books now and the whole focus on incest in all of them is just icky.
My Review- http://www.tinasbookreviews.com/2011/05/dont-breathe-word-by-jennifer-mcmahon.html
I am firmly in the camp of loving this book. It’s disappointing you don’t like it, but everyone has different tastes. I thought the whole book could be summed up in one word: creepy.
My review: http://www.workadayreads.com/2011/05/dont-breathe-word.html
It is DEFINITELY creepy and weird! That we can agree on!!
Yeah, if you’re not into fairies, I don’t think you would enjoy the book any. What’s with the intense gaze on the little girl from the cover? Yikes!
http://sandrasbookclub.blogspot.com
I know, isn’t it creepy?! She freaks me out!
For me, the fairy element is why I picked this up as I’m definitely a wuss when it comes to thrillers. I’ve never read any McMahon so I didn’t know what to expect, and I actually got disappointed in the end when it felt too ‘real’ regarding how the whole disappearance occurred, etc.
Oh no!!! What a bummer! I’m dying to read this one!
And you will probably love it!
Most people did. I’m in the minority on this one!
How funny – the reason you didn’t like this book (fairies) is the reason I did like it! Usually, McMahon’s books are a little too gritty, too “real” for me, and also a bit formulaic – the fairy angle made this book different.
You’re right about the ending, though. It did feel rushed. I have to say, though, that I loved the final scene. It fit so perfectly with the rest of the book.
I just got this in the mail last week! Hope to get to it relatively soon…my TBR pile is miles high!
I very much enjoyed this review, in part because it sounds like we are very similar readers! I too am a fan of Jennifer’s previous work, and a paranormal element often turns me off in fiction–except in cases like Stephen King where there’s a delicious tension–everything could be completely “real” and the sense of mystical often is a reflection of the character’s mental state. Anyway, as you say, I will read DON’T BREATHE A WORD–if only to see if I feel the same way you did!
By the way, I write literary suspense myself, and my first novel, COVER OF SNOW, just sold to Ballantine. (In case this line seems breezy, this was an 11 year process, which I’ve blogged a lot about
I would love it if you’d review it one day!
I read one book by Jennifer McMahon, “Dismantled” … and I pretty much felt bleh about it .. EVERYone in there was neurotic, including the little girl, and I just couldn’t get into it, even though a lot of others liked it.
This is definitely an interesting sounding book.
Also, I wanted to tell you that I love your blog, your background design made me want a background with my dog and books. So I hired someone and got a new one. I decided to pass on an award I got because of how much I like your blog: http://misclisa.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html#6610067248110161849
I loved this book. When I first finished it, I wasn’t sure what I thought about the end. I’m not even sure I had a clear idea in my head on my feelings towards it when i wrote my review. Now that it’s been a bit, I think I really enjoyed it. The ending can be taken two different ways. One, the tinkerbell angle is all real. Two, the explanation given by the family was the correct one and what happens in the end is just her paranoia. Either way, I liked the way Randy Susan Meyers used Rosemary’s Baby in her blurb.
http://wordsmithonia.blogspot.com/2011/05/dont-breathe-word-by-jennifer-mcmahon.html
I love the fact you’re honest about your feelings when you do reviews. This is why I’m bestowing the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award to you.
Stop by http://thewritingmama.blogspot.com to pick up your banner.
This is an excellent example of an honest review- I am a relatively new blogger, and finding ways to talk about a book that I didn’t love is still a struggle for me. I haven’t read this book, but your review gave me an idea of what to expect while still giving me space to try it and possibly really enjoy it. Thanks for setting such a good example!
I think I was too freaked out by the ending to really get angry. (I also assumed there was going to be a sequel)- otherwise, the ending makes no sense!!!
but when I read your review, I didn’t really disagree with anything you said. Maybe I wrote my review too soon? haha
my review: http://magnet4books.blogspot.com/2011/04/dont-breathe-word.html
That freaking sucks! The blurb sounds so completely enthralling! I don’t think I would like the fairies either to tell you the truth haha. Thanks for the review.
Hi!
I feel the SAME WAY YOU DO ABOUT THIS BOOK!!!!
I have to write my review yet, but it was going to be almost EXACTLY what you wrote!!! The fairies – not my cup of tea, either. Gave it a try. Yes, the first 2/3rds of the book were good, but the ending was rushed and I, also, feel somewhat lost, and still don’t quite know exactly ‘what happened’??? It was rushed and everything was crammed into the ending. We were left hanging, and I PRAY there is NOT a sequel. I WON’T be reading it! I should have just passed this book up. This is NOT her type of writing???? I don’t know where this cane from from her?????
Laurie
Just finished reading it so no review yet… I liked it fine until I read the last page! The ending confused me… I don’t like ambiguous ending!
I definitely thought McMahon rushed the ending…this was the first book by her that I read and I have to say I was mind boggled. It didn’t confuse me, but definitely had me at the edge of my seat. the book ended leaving me saying….”damn!”…..
My problem was that for most of the book, I didn’t buy into the fairies or the idea of people being behind the action in the book. I did like the ending, ambiguity and all…
I was starting to think I was the only one that didn’t love this book… Thanks for sharing your review. Mine will post later this week.
I read this book and loved it – until the last page. anyone help me clarify what happened? Was phoebe insane? or was it true?
It is DEFINITELY creepy and weird! That freaking sucks!