4 out of 4 stars
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Murdered by James Schannep is an interactive book wherein you decide how the story flows. In other words, you're the main character. The book starts off by immersing you in the colorful festivities of Rio de Janeiro as the Carnaval nears. Things start to pick up the pace the moment you find a dead girl's body in a building and almost immediately you're thrown into a thrilling chase involving politics and the criminal underworld.
There's really not much I can say since it's interactive, there are over 50 different endings you can end up having (so far, I've seen four). And it's safe to say that none of those endings will bore you. If it does, then you can choose the chapter title you want to start over from and choose different options. The possibilities are endless!
I don't typically like interactive storylines because sometimes I feel as if there's no consequence to it, you can always backtrack if you don't like what's happening. But there's something about the way that this book is written that just grabs you and makes you feel like it's all too real. Multiple times, I found myself reading faster as the events became more and more exciting. Truly, this book deserves more readership.
Not only does this book pull you into it, at times, it makes the characters you interact with almost 3D. They have personality and it really feels like they're with you. Flesh and bones and all that.
The writing is incredible as well, there are no details you can skip over because the investigation calls for every bit of your attention. It almost feels like there's an obligation to it. Whenever there is a successful moment in the story, I feel like I've actually succeeded in something, and whenever there is a loss, I mourn. It's amazing how the writer has managed to conceal their presence absolutely and make you feel like you're the one writing the path you traverse.
Unsurprisingly, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Honestly, if I could give it more, I would. It deserves so much for how it was written. I feel like I've just traveled to Brazil and experienced everything firsthand. I'm not kidding when I say that I'll still be reading this books for weeks to come. Until I reach all the endings there are.
If you're the type who likes humorous exchanges between characters while simultaneously embarking on a thrilling mystery chase then I highly recommend this book. And if you're the type who doesn't like interactive stories then I suggest this book nonetheless, maybe, like me, you'll have a change of heart.
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Murdered
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