Breaking The Dark by Lisa Jewell

I had mixed feelings about this book. I'm not a fan of Marvel, but I love the topics of how beauty obsession and possessiveness can ruin lives. It begins with Jessica Jones abandoning the superhero life and living like a normal civilian as a private investigator.

Her client, Amber Randall has a difficult situation. Amber's teenage twin just recently met her ex-husband in the UK during the summer, and now she believes their behaviour is strange upon their return. Jessica discovered that it involves some kind of mental control and an obsession with perfection. This wasn't her first encounter with this; she had been abducted by a psychopath who had exerted brainwashing over her before. In my opinion, there's a loophole in the plot where Jessica and the twin's sudden recovery makes their escapades lack depth.

I like the alternating points of view from Ophelia and Polly. They hold more special abilities than Jessica herself. Polly, a novice in the beauty influencer field, is focused on one task: she picks Ophelia and her family, who have 'malevolent' powers to help her build a great cosmetic empire. Her infatuation becomes contaminated and self-centred. As the stories progress, they become intertwined. Overall, it's an engaging read.

Thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing and Izah for the review copy. All views are my own 💙

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online store

Ungu Karmila by Ramlee Awang Murshid

Semuanya bermula apabila Arif seorang pakar tumbuh-tumbuhan telah mengambil satu spesis bunga hutan di kawasan larangan. Dia kemudian berjaya menghasilkan tumbuhan kacukan pertama seumpamanya dinamakan Ungu Karmila. Ungu Karmila diletakkan di rumah hijau, banglo yang baru didiami bersama isteri, Karmila dan pembantu rumah mereka. Sejak dari itu hidup mereka tidak bahagia. Sehinggalah berlakunya tragedi meragut nyawa yang diklasifikasikan misteri kerana tiada senjata yang digunakan dan saksi kejadian, cuma spekulasi.

Penduduk setempat yang merupakan orang asli kuat mengatakan bahawa tapak rumah itu banyak roh jahat. Malah sebelum banglo yang diberi nama Vila Sunyi siap dibina, ia sudah memakan nyawa. 

Selepas beberapa tahun, abang Arif, Arafat telah mencari sebuah kumpulan peneroka alam ghaib bagi merungkai misteri, membersihkan nama adiknya dan sekali gus 'membuang' hantu/ entiti di rumah tersebut. 

Novel ini diterbitkan sekitar tahun 2008 hingga mencapai ke cetakan 16. Dah lama tak baca tulisan RAM. Bagi aku beliau seorang pencerita yang punya identitinya tersendiri. Karya fiksyen ini walau pun lambat aku baca tapi tetap menimbulkan rasa debaran dengan perspektif yang berbeza.

All The Colours Of The Dark by Chris Whitaker

Such a remarkable story! It definitely deserves 5 stars. It leaves a lasting impact, with deep emotional and psychological layers. This is a blend of complexity in the search for a serial killer and a unique, profound friendship. Patch Macauley, who was born with only one eye, was kidnapped when he was thirteen.

He formed a bond with Grace in the basement. For a year, he became a friend to Grace. He succeeded in escaping, but the perpetrator and Grace were not found. In another town, there was a missing teen. Patch becomes a different person. He aims to save her, but he struggles to convince others of Grace's existence. He tries to recall her through their conversations.

His friendship with Saint Brown, who stands by him through his evolution as a person searching for justice, seems beautifully dynamic. A decade laid out like a twisting path, from a little thief to a man who robs banks, paints art and ends up in prison. He had lost more than could ever be counted as a price for redemption. Each second, he devoted his life to seeking out the parents of missing teens. I'm impressed by how Patch and Saint tried to decipher a code that was based on the dark place from ages ago with Grace. It brings in an element of mystery and suspense. The unwavering friendships depicted in this book made me envious. The plot, the setting, the pace, the character development, and the ending itself were highly satisfying.

Thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing and Izah for the review copy. All views are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online store