✦ BLURB ✦
✶ PRE-READING ✶
I was drawn to 59 Minutes because the premise immediately grabbed me - what would you do with such little time, especially when everything you know and love is at risk? The clock ticking down in real time creates instant tension, and I was curious to see how the author would build the emotional stakes with multiple POVs. I hadn’t read Holly Seddon before, but I’ve heard good things about her writing and was excited to dive in. I was looking for a fast-paced thriller with high emotional stakes, and I hoped it would offer a compelling look at how people would react under pressure.
✶ POST-READING ✶
As I thought... The writing is strong, and the tension throughout the story is palpable. The stakes feel real, and there’s a lot of urgency in the actions of the characters. The three different POVs offer insight into different experiences, and the emotional stakes for each character are high, which kept me invested. The concept of the impending missile strike creates a ticking clock that amplifies the pressure on each decision.
It surprised me by... While the book kept me hooked with the sense of urgency and suspense, the twist at the end was a bit of a letdown. The author led me down a path with one of the characters, and I felt like I was being intentionally misled with information that later turned out to be false. I prefer twists that reveal themselves in a way that feels earned - when you can look back and see how the clues pointed to the truth all along. This one felt more like a trick, which undermined the satisfaction of the reveal. That said, the overall concept of facing the end of the world with only an hour left was still powerful, and the writing really captured the emotional complexity of the characters.
✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦
Book Recommendation:
If you enjoyed 59 Minutes, you might like The Silent Stars Go By by James S.A. Corey. While more sci-fi than thriller, it also deals with urgent, high-stakes situations and how characters make life-changing decisions when time is running out.
TV or Movie Recommendation:
The film Seeking a Friend for the End of the World could be a great companion. It's not as fast-paced, but it shares that sense of looming catastrophe and explores how people find meaning and connection in their final moments.
✧ VIBE CHECK ✧
A colour palette:
Muted grays and dark blues with sharp flashes of red and orange - the sense of impending doom mixed with moments of human connection.
A soundtrack:
Dark electronic beats mixed with minimal piano - something that builds tension without overwhelming, leaving room for quiet moments.
A season:
Late autumn, when the days are short and the cold air feels final, with a sense of urgency in the dying light.
A mood:
Urgent, intense, but with a thread of sadness running through it - like you’re racing against something inevitable.
A scent:
Smoky air mixed with the sharp tang of metal - like the tension of a world on the brink of disaster.
★ TAROT CARD PULLED ★
Knight of Swords. This card embodies the sense of urgency and determination that defines the characters' journeys in 59 Minutes. The Knight of Swords rushes forward without hesitation, much like the women in the story who are propelled by a relentless need to protect their loved ones as time runs out. This card captures the high-stakes decisions they must make on the fly, charging headfirst into peril with little time to second-guess.
59 Minutes publishes on the 25th September, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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