Seriously what more do you need? Or I should say what more do I need?
I won a signed hardcover of The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison over a month ago. It sat on my reading pile. And then it sat some more. And some more. So kinda burnt out one night, I picked it up just to read the first few chapters and I knew from the first page that I would love it.
It was the writing.
Here are the opening lines:
I spot her out of the corner of my eye and freeze.
It always happens like this.
My body goes tingly.
Blood thrums in my ears: a low buzz like a faraway swarm of insects, and every cell in my body screams: save her save her save her.
There’s nothing I can do but obey.
Clean. Full of sensory details. A sense of urgency. I absolutely loved it.
I loved that Penelope or Lo struggled with her OCD and the more stressful the situation the worse it got. Dealing with the death of her brother, strained parental relationships and most importantly solving a murder. And it all started when Lo felt the obsession to steal a beautiful antique butterfly figurine that belonged to the victim.
I loved the mystery but the writing…oh the writing I loved. So I’m passing this book recommendation onto you.
What’s the last book you read that the story and writing just absolutely captivated you?
Thanks for sharing this. It sounds good. I just finished Starters by Lissa Price. It was really good.
I agree, Starters looks good! First pages were clean too. Hopefully soon…I’ve got way too many books to read!
oooh, yes, very intriguing intro! Thanks for sharing a book you loved! This sounds great!
I love when a book totally surprises me!
This one’s been on my list. I’m glad to hear it’s a win! I just read THE FALSE PRINCE and had to stay up late last night to finish it.
I love the cover and the concept of this one – definitely on my wishlist!
Awesome! I love when I fall in love with a story. Reading Black Heart by Holly Black right now and I have the same response to her – just LOVE her writing.
Thanks to your recommendation, Laura, my copy is now in the mail. 😀
I LOVE when I find a voice that captures me! So cool! I’ve read quite a few amazing books this year, so I couldn’t pick just one!
Love the writing in that sample! Beautiful. One of these days I’ll actually catch up on my TBR list. *sigh*
Sounds like a book I’ll have to add to my to read list. =D
The opening lines are great, and I love the cover. I will add this to my list!
I just finished reading The Sky is Everywhere, and I am in LOVE. The writing was so beautiful and the story so compelling that I finished it despite being blurry from eye surgery and giving myself a gigantic headache. It was that good.
I just read A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan yesterday. It completely captivated me. I had a hard time focusing on anything until I finished it.
So glad you posted this review Laura. I saw this during one of my bookstore browses, but I ran out of time before I could read the first few pages.
I love to be pulled into the action and care what happens to the characters. Right now, I’m reading The Ice Limit by Donald Preston and Lincoln Child. It reminds me a bit of Jurrasic Park in how its set up. Its about a rich, eccentric collector who wants a meteorite that has been buried in Chile for x number of years. The biggest meteorite discovery ever. And everyone who touches it dies.
Oh, wow. What a gorgeous cover! I’m a sucker for great writing, too. Will take note of this one. Thanks for the rec 😉
I love passionate reviews like this – and books that inspire them!!! You are right those first few lines are such a hook. The sensory details add such immediacy to it