Mud VeinAuthor: Tarryn Fisher
Publication Date: April 5, 2014
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
When reclusive novelist Senna Richards wakes up on her thirty-third birthday, everything has changed. Caged behind an electrical fence, locked in a house in the middle of the snow, Senna is left to decode the clues to find out why she was taken. If she wants her freedom, she has to take a close look at her past. But, her past has a heartbeat... and her kidnapper is nowhere to be found. With her survival hanging by a thread, Senna soon realizes this is a game. A dangerous one. Only the truth can set her free.
First things first – any preconceived notions you have about this book because of the cover, throw them out the window! This is not erotica, nor is it New Adult. Period. Once you read the book, the cover takes on a lot more meaning and becomes even more beautiful.
I went into Mud Vein completely blind. I saw Colleen Hoover expressing her love for it, so I bought it without even looking to see what it was about. What can I say, I’m easy. I will admit that the cover intrigued me. It gave off a dark vibe, and that’s what it delivered. However, it was very different than I thought it would be, but at the same time so damn good! Better than what I was expecting or could’ve hoped for.
When I finished the book I saw a note from the author on Amazon:
“I write to explore the dark corners of myself, and I want you to come with me. I’m a little bit like you. I think you’ll see yourself in the pages of Mud Vein. I haven’t told you very much about it on purpose. I want you to go in blind. I want you to stumble across a thought, a sound, a hurt-which you had thought special to you.”
I agree wholeheartedly. It is best to go in blind, I’m beyond thankful that I did. So I highly suggest you do the same. And yes, I did see a lot of myself in Mud Vein. More than I would have liked, especially in Senna. There are quite a few passages from this book that I’ve kept for myself, because reading them really does hit home.
I noticed this book is shelved a lot under “New Adult” on Goodreads. This is not New Adult! Senna is thirty-three, so there’s nothing ‘new’ about her adultness. Another thing I want to make clear, this isn’t a book full of sex. There are a couple of very mild sex scenes, that’s it.
Mud Vein is more of a psychological thriller-mystery, with an emphasis on the psychological. But it’s so much more than that. I absolutely loved being in Senna’s head. Within the first few couple of pages of the book, it’s apparent she has some issues. The author did a perfect job with conveying it through Senna’s voice. It was so easy to feel the story, rather than just read it.
No, I’m not going into any more detail no matter how badly I’d love to. Believe me, it’s better this way. I just hope anyone who might be put off by this book because they assume it’s one thing, gives it a try and is pleasantly surprised. I will without a doubt read more of Tarryn Fisher’s work in the future.
**Mud Vein is currently only 99¢, so I highly suggest you grab it before the price goes back up.**
I have this! I’ve seen really varying reviews for Mud Vein, but am trying to challenge myself to read books that are out of my norm and make me uncomfortable. And I love the idea of going into it blind. Thanks for the helpful review, christy!
Oh yeah? I haven’t read any reviews for it either, and probably won’t. I don’t think there is anything that would make you feel uncomfortable.
Awesome review!! I love how you review books I am interested in!! I was just looking at this one on Amazon today!! I think I would really enjoy Mud Vein.
Get it. Read it!!
Oh mygod Christy
I absolutely love all of Tarryn Fishers work. Her love me with Lies series is also absolutely fabulous and dark and I saw pieces of myself in the characters in that series too but Mud Vein just hit too close to home. It was dark, really dark and I remember reading it and having it consume my every thoughts for weeks afterwards. It’s a very powerful book and like you I have a few passages marked down that I could completely relate too. I saw quite a bit of myself in sienna, it’s scary just how Tarryn Fisher perfectly captured the darkness I believe we all have inside us (some a little and others a lot) and wrote about a character we can all relate too one way or another. I cried like a baby reading this book, especially towards the end and to this day it’s always on my mind. Brilliant review Christy!
I’m so happy to hear that it had such an impact on you too! It is just really … wow. I get a little choked up sometimes now when I see the cover, knowing how symbolic it all is. I’m going to go look into those other books now.
Sometimes Goodreads shelves frustrate me because they are so wrong. Just because the book has sex doesn’t make it erotica people! And it’s clearly stated in the blurb that the main character is 33 so not NA either. I mean, I’m 31 and I would love to be called new adult but you’re right, nothing new about NY adulthood. This book is right up my alley though, I love psychological thrillers and I’m in some sort of dark horror/thriller mood lately. I think I’ve 1-clicked all your recommendations Christy, so I’m adding this to the list. .99c is an awesome deal 😀 Lovely review!
LOL – I know. I’m 34, and was wondering how on earth did so many people get ‘new adult’ from this. So weird. And the 2 sex scenes aren’t even really explicit, and they hold a lot of meaning for the MC. You should definitely read this, Amir.
Okay… I’m sold. I’m going to go get it now. I’m curious to find out what the cover means now… I immediately thought some sort of dark erotica or something similar but you said it had nothing to do with that, but once you read the book the cover made much more sense and made it more beautiful. I gotta know! lol
The cover is definitely symbolic, and makes me choke-up sometimes when I look at it. You should definitely try it, Carrie.
Ack, I’m so jealous you got to this one before me!!! I have no clue what this book is about, but I KNOW I have to read it. It’s on my kindle, waiting. Glad to see you liked it, it gives me hope!
I’m staying mum on the whole thing, so just read it!
Well you know I grabbed this ..those dark chat room sessions with you and Liz always add to my tbr pile. I am hoping to read this soon!
“those dark chat room sessions with you and Liz”
LOL – You make it sound so seedy. 😀
I’ve heard so much about Tarryn Fisher. I think I have a book by her and my friend has been bugging me to read it although I still haven’t. I definitely will in the future though.
I can definitely see why people see this book as an erotica from the cover. Your review is so mysterious! I love it! It actually really makes me want to pick up the book and see what is going on. Psychological thrillers can be such great reads. I’m glad you enjoyed this, Christy.
Lovely review. 🙂
The cover is beautiful and symbolic. I get a little choked-up still when I see it sometimes. It’s really a good book, Nick. You should read it! 😀
Consider me intrigued Christy! I would have guessed erotic romance from the cover (which doesn’t put me off at all, I love a good smexy romance), but good to know that the cover is a bit more symbolic in nature than literal. This sounds like a really beautiful, moving story and I’m so glad you reviewed it today so I can add it to my list:)
Yes, Jenny, this is a must read. I hope you get to it soon.
Wow, you have me curious about this one, and I did think it was a erotic type book but from the sounds of it, it sounds pretty good. Great review!
Nope, nothing erotic about this. You definitely need to read this!
I’m really glad you told us more about it and what it isn’t. I hadn’t considered picking it up because it looks like one of those NA dark romances (or whatever). The fact that the main character is my age and it’s more thriller’ish has me WAY more interested. I may actually go grab this one now…
You know what, I think you should give it a try. I think you could appreciate it.
Sold! Gosh dang you!
Okay seriously though, you have me super curious about this Christy, I think you should make me read this one next month. 😛
LOL – Hmmm … we shall see … *rubs hands manically*
This is one reason I love book reviews; they explain a book that might have put people off otherwise. I’m quite curious about this one now!
I hope you try it!
Oh this is one I would have probably assumed what it was with the cover and so glad you set me straight. Oh great price and I so need to snatch this book up! So need to try it!
Wow you really know how to make me want to buy a book and drop everything and read it immediately! 🙂 I love that you recommend not knowing anything going in – I find I love books the best when I’m totally surprised about where they’re going. I am definitely going to take advantage of the sale, thanks so much for the heads up and this awesome spoiler free review!
OK, I’m getting this, thanks for the budget 😛
Wooow wow it is a psychological thriller mystery and Colleen Hoover loves it? Darn I can’t believe I missed the 99c sale, definitely going to keep a closer eye on this one, it sounds amazing!
Damn you, Christy!!! Fine, fine. I bought it, okay? You twisted my arm. I will go in blind see what happens. You always do this to me!!!!
The cover is definitely misleading, but it’s cool that it all makes sense once you’ve read the book. I love it when the author incorporates their title, artwork, etc into their story. Thanks for the heads up about the misshelving on GR.
I haven’t read this one yet, but I did one-click it the other day b/c $0.99, b/c I have read one of Fisher’s other books, The Opportunist, and it blew my friggin’ mind. I’m glad you were pleasantly surprised, Christy, and I hope I like it too 😉
Hmmm. I was just hovering over this one on Amazon last night thinking about it. It’s so weird which get marked NA by some. I had one with a 30 year old the other day as well and it left me going wha?!
I tend to go into almost all my reads blind so I’m up for this one though dang I would like a little more heat. But, you know, that’s just me being my pervy self. lol Glad you loved it Christy!
Great review! Reading your review on the book just made me want to grab a copy! Now I’m really curious about the book. 🙂
A psychological thriller that is best that you should go into blind…I must say I am intrigued.
Plus that author note sold me.
Great review, and also for the heads up about the not new adult.
Great review! Though the book didn’t work for me it’s good to know a different opinion about this book 🙂 BUT I LOVE Tarryn Fisher! specially the Love Me With Lie Series. BEST. SERIES. EVER. <3
So I still have no idea what this is about! I bought it sometime ago because I love the author. You have made me even more excited about it now and I definitely plan to read it soon.