- #1
Unfortunately, I feel the need to write a counterbalancing review to the praise this novel has received. I think the basic premise is clear enough from earlier reviews, so will not elaborate further here. However, it's just not enjoyable - it's a slog to read through how the MC is continually an a-hole, reinforcing the anger and disgust of the female MCs, for some unspecified, hoped-for long term payoff (from the reader's perspective). (Or, if you enjoy this type of sadism in and of itself, that's a different story).A similar (but more deftly implemented) concept to the approach of this novel can be found in The Villain Wants to Live, but that novel does a far better job of balancing the demeanor of the main character and his interaction with other characters (at least for the first 280 or so chapters), so while he is still unquestionably a villain and compelled to act that way, you at least get some really enjoyable and well-developed scenes in the interim for your efforts - not so here (at least so far).
