Who Would Like This Book:
If you love a mix of dark academia and twisty psychological thrillers, "The Maidens" is a solid pick. Set at Cambridge University, the atmosphere is moody and laced with references to Greek mythology, giving the book an irresistibly mysterious vibe. Michaelides keeps the pace brisk with snappy chapters and plenty of red herrings, making it perfect for fans of campus whodunnits and anyone who enjoyed "The Silent Patient." If you like mind games and stories that keep you guessing, you'll devour this one.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the characters underdeveloped - especially the titular Maidens themselves - and had trouble connecting with Mariana, the main character. Others felt the plot relied too heavily on cliché thriller tropes and found the twists a bit far-fetched or out of left field. If you crave deeply fleshed-out characters, airtight motives, or are looking for a literary masterpiece, this book might leave you wanting more. The hype may set expectations very high, so go in as you would with a popcorn thriller, not a classic.
About:
The Maidens follows Mariana, a group therapist, as she investigates a series of ritualistic murders of young women students at Cambridge University who are followers of a Greek literature professor, Edward Fosca. Mariana, still grieving the loss of her husband, becomes convinced that Fosca is the prime suspect and delves into uncovering the truth behind the murders. The plot is filled with allusions to Greek mythology, themes of love and abuse, and a psychological whodunnit thriller that keeps readers engaged with twists and red herrings.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers and content warnings for The Maidens include murder, mental health issues, themes of grief, stalking, and references to sexual abuse.
From The Publisher:
**THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**
Ratings (156)
Incredible (13) | |
Loved It (53) | |
Liked It (31) | |
It Was OK (25) | |
Did Not Like (22) | |
Hated It (12) |
Reader Stats (328):
Read It (165) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (133) | |
Did Not Finish (3) | |
Not Interested (26) |
8 comment(s)
very weird. Hated the ending.
The tie-backs to other books?! Chef’s kiss
misogynistic, depictions of CSA villainizing the victim, incompetent main character, poor depiction of mental health needs
While the last part of the bookhad 4 stars qualities and reminded me why I enjoyed the silent patient so much the rest of the book did not live up to the hype that I had after reading the other book.
Good atmospheric read but with sudden and non satisfactory ending.
I read The Silent Patient by the same author and that was a excellent read. This also knocks it out the park with the surprise twist at the end. The writer is very good at making all of the characters suspicious with their dark hidden secrets and when it’s revealed it’s unexpected and Marvelous!
Has a great plot twist!
I read The Silent Patient by this author and I liked it, but I think The Maidens I enjoyed even more.
This is the second story of Michaelides inspired by Greek mythology. I like the way he uses the heritage of antiquity and more or less known myths. He doesn't pick the most clichéd myths, he doesn't do anything outright, that's not re-telling. There is always a lot of his own imagination in the story. This makes his stories fresh and unique.
Michaelides also managed to create a very interesting main character. I guess I come to the point where I appreciate men who can write credible female characters. Mariana is a strong and intelligent woman. I liked her tenacity, but also the fact that she was able to control her emotions. If she was taking a risk, she wasn't doing it out of stupidity. There are tons of intriguing female characters in this story, and in many ways it's a very feminine book.
The whole situation is very interesting. On the surface, this seems to be a clichéd story about a group of female students fascinated by a charismatic professor, but Michaelides is able to make this idea something truly unique and extraordinary. Sometimes you anticipate what will happen, but the author can always surprise you. Watching Mariana discover all the secrets was fascinating.
I also liked the way the author wink at the readers of his previous book The Silent Patient. The unexpected appearance of Theo, the main character from that book, in this story was an exciting element. It came out so naturally I didn't even notice it for a moment, and Theo had a hand in solving the story. It looked very consistent and well-thought out.
The ending was brilliant. I expected a part of it, but was surprised anyway. This is something I definitely appreciate about this book. I liked this ending more than the one in The Silent Patient. It was twisted and surprising.
It was an excellent book. I can't wait to see what else we will get from this author.
What can you read after
The Maidens?
About the Author:
Alex Michaelides was born and raised in Cyprus. He has an M.A. in English Literature from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and an M.A. in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The Silent Patient was his first novel. It spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list and sold in a record-breaking fifty countries. He lives in London.
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