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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
I wish that this book had the title Wispertown, because it was more about the town than just Nick (Tony). The story of this town has so much to offer and I was more intrigued with it's back story than the main character.
It was a fun read and the plot developed nicely. Some of the plot elements were a bit predictable, but Giles did a good job in having me second guess myself while I was trying to figure out the mystery elements. There was a lot going on at one time, but I never felt overwhelmed and everything was pieced together well.
Some characters were developed really well and I liked their voice. Nick was a strong main character and had a lot of positive qualities. I liked the way he got out of difficult situations and how he handled Zach and his crew. I liked Eli, even though he wasn't featured for very long. Nick's parents really surprised me.
The ending wrapped some things up well, but still left me wanting to know more. I could easily see this turning into a t.v. show either on abcfamily or The CW.
Cover Comments: I don't really like it. I could see it appealing to boys. If the title was Wispertown...there would be some great cover opportunities.
Teacher Notes: I could see both boys and girls enjoying this book. There's a little bit of something for all readers.
It was a fun read and the plot developed nicely. Some of the plot elements were a bit predictable, but Giles did a good job in having me second guess myself while I was trying to figure out the mystery elements. There was a lot going on at one time, but I never felt overwhelmed and everything was pieced together well.
Some characters were developed really well and I liked their voice. Nick was a strong main character and had a lot of positive qualities. I liked the way he got out of difficult situations and how he handled Zach and his crew. I liked Eli, even though he wasn't featured for very long. Nick's parents really surprised me.
The ending wrapped some things up well, but still left me wanting to know more. I could easily see this turning into a t.v. show either on abcfamily or The CW.
Cover Comments: I don't really like it. I could see it appealing to boys. If the title was Wispertown...there would be some great cover opportunities.
Teacher Notes: I could see both boys and girls enjoying this book. There's a little bit of something for all readers.
meh. This book tried too hard! It tried to be intense, but ended up being kinda silly and over the top. I honestly can't remember how it ended.
More like 3.5 stars...maybe 4 if I think about it longer.
Thanks to his dad, Nick and family are at their final placement in the Witness Protection program, WitSec to those in the know. It's the end of the line, one more slip, and they'll be out of the program with no protection between them and the criminal element's they've been hiding from.
Everything starts out fine, until Nick's new friend Eli mentions to him something called Whispertown, a conspiracy within the town that he's been investigating. The next day Eli's dead, and while it looks like a suicide, Nick and Eli's sister have their doubts. The deeper they dig into Whispertown and Eli's death, the more it looks like Nick's father might have something to do with it. Will Nick be able to uncover the truth, while keeping he and his mother safe under WitSec protection?
This was really good. A bit of a thriller, a bit of a murder mystery...I'd can definitely see teens picking this up, especially those that like Harlan Coben's Shelter series. It was also nice to read a book where, while the main characters are racially diverse, it isn't really the BIG PLOT POINT of the story.
Thanks to his dad, Nick and family are at their final placement in the Witness Protection program, WitSec to those in the know. It's the end of the line, one more slip, and they'll be out of the program with no protection between them and the criminal element's they've been hiding from.
Everything starts out fine, until Nick's new friend Eli mentions to him something called Whispertown, a conspiracy within the town that he's been investigating. The next day Eli's dead, and while it looks like a suicide, Nick and Eli's sister have their doubts. The deeper they dig into Whispertown and Eli's death, the more it looks like Nick's father might have something to do with it. Will Nick be able to uncover the truth, while keeping he and his mother safe under WitSec protection?
This was really good. A bit of a thriller, a bit of a murder mystery...I'd can definitely see teens picking this up, especially those that like Harlan Coben's Shelter series. It was also nice to read a book where, while the main characters are racially diverse, it isn't really the BIG PLOT POINT of the story.
Nick Pearson is in witness protection because of some things his dad did, but when the only friend he makes at his new school turns up dead, he has to try to solve the murder...that might point back to his dad.
I really, really loved this book. Nick is such a great narrator-- he's funny and smart and tough, but still believably naive (he's only 16 after all) enough that you feel for him as he's trying to puzzle this whole mess out. Giles writing is so compelling. I always love it when a writer can surprise me with the way he writes a description (ex: jeans so light they looked like scar tissue--brilliant), and he does that in this book. It was such a page-turner... I read it in one sitting :O)
I really, really loved this book. Nick is such a great narrator-- he's funny and smart and tough, but still believably naive (he's only 16 after all) enough that you feel for him as he's trying to puzzle this whole mess out. Giles writing is so compelling. I always love it when a writer can surprise me with the way he writes a description (ex: jeans so light they looked like scar tissue--brilliant), and he does that in this book. It was such a page-turner... I read it in one sitting :O)
The problem with this book is that it didn't surprise me much. I expect thrillers to have a lot more suspense in them, and this one didn't do much for. Once again, I am not a fan of romances in books (especially thrillers and fantasy) and it was extremely unnecessary. I hated the way this book was written. The writing style and the narration was just extremely juvenile and I think that this is definitely a book for the younger side of YA. The plot was also just a huge mess and was all over the place as well.
I still think a lot of people will enjoy this but it didn't work for me. Also, a plus is that this book does have diversity in it which rarely happens in thrillers.
I still think a lot of people will enjoy this but it didn't work for me. Also, a plus is that this book does have diversity in it which rarely happens in thrillers.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Giles presents a mystery readers can really get their teeth into, with characters that I found realistic and I rooted for and wanted to come out not only well, but on top in the end. The ending was rushed for me, and some characters, especially Reya, could have used a bit more building up, but overall a satisfying, action-packed read that was over too soon.
YA with crime and groing up.
Well written, highly recommended, and for me this was a page-turner.
A little romance, no sex, and I see nothing to give a trigger warning.
Reminds me of one of my TBR-titles: [b:Blood And Guts In High School, Plus Two|155947|Blood And Guts In High School, Plus Two|Kathy Acker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347667384l/155947._SY75_.jpg|50400209].
And also for some reason, [b:Punk 57|41021967|Punk 57|Penelope Douglas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1533139999l/41021967._SY75_.jpg|49343156].
High-School, Bullies and WitSec, what's not to like?
Well written, highly recommended, and for me this was a page-turner.
A little romance, no sex, and I see nothing to give a trigger warning.
Reminds me of one of my TBR-titles: [b:Blood And Guts In High School, Plus Two|155947|Blood And Guts In High School, Plus Two|Kathy Acker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347667384l/155947._SY75_.jpg|50400209].
And also for some reason, [b:Punk 57|41021967|Punk 57|Penelope Douglas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1533139999l/41021967._SY75_.jpg|49343156].
High-School, Bullies and WitSec, what's not to like?
What a great surprise! I've had my eye on this for a while & I'm so glad that I read it. It was suspenseful and nonstop twists! I liked Nick and the story really took it to a place that I didn't expect which is good thing. And one of the best things about this book is that it isn't a series!!
I can't wait to share this with students in the fall!
I can't wait to share this with students in the fall!
I was so excited to check this out of the library, because I read The Getaway by the same author a few months ago and loved it. This was kind of a letdown for me.
The premise was interesting. I dig the concept of a YA novel where the protagonist is in WitSec, and I can only think of two I've read besides this one. But the execution just didn't work for me. The texting scenes were the absolute worst, I hate when those are included ever ever ever. I didn't like Eli, so even though his death basically drives the story, I didn't really care who killed him.
I'll still give Giles another try because of how much I loved The Getaway, though
The premise was interesting. I dig the concept of a YA novel where the protagonist is in WitSec, and I can only think of two I've read besides this one. But the execution just didn't work for me. The texting scenes were the absolute worst, I hate when those are included ever ever ever. I didn't like Eli, so even though his death basically drives the story, I didn't really care who killed him.
I'll still give Giles another try because of how much I loved The Getaway, though
https://readerspeak.wordpress.com/2016/09/02/fake-id-by-lamar-giles/