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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Really enjoyed this one, and looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Was going to be a solid 4 if not for that ending. No closure oncesoever like— Ellie’s missing, Hayes is still dead, and DAVID IS SITLL IN THE PICTURE LITERALLY FUCK HIM WHAT THE FUCK
Nothing happened until 48% through, literally, I checked, and when it did, there was well enough time for a gratifying ending but no. i loved Stevie and the mystery had great potential to be interesting, and I was praying for a good ending, but no.
Still, the book was solid, I enjoyed the writing, and I was rooting for Stevie. Also the dual timelines were interesting too, and the dramatic irony with the dual timelines. I just wish more HAPPENED!
Nothing happened until 48% through, literally, I checked, and when it did, there was well enough time for a gratifying ending but no. i loved Stevie and the mystery had great potential to be interesting, and I was praying for a good ending, but no.
Still, the book was solid, I enjoyed the writing, and I was rooting for Stevie. Also the dual timelines were interesting too, and the dramatic irony with the dual timelines. I just wish more HAPPENED!
Written in a compelling and fast paced style, Truly Devious weaves together two timelines - past and present, exploring the mysterious hallowed halls of Ellingham Academy, an eccentric and enigmatic boarding school, where students are allowed to pursue their dreams and focus specifically on their future career choices.
Stevie Bell's dream is simple - she is a true crime fanatic and wants to solve the infamous Ellingham Academy cold case - the kidnapping of Albert Ellingham's wife and daughter, that occurred decades earlier. As Stevie comes to grips with her new school life and starts her own investigation, it appears that the cold case may not have ended all those years ago.
One of the main strengths of this book is the characters, each of their personalities being developed to a point that the reader can relate with one of them. For me, the character I related to was Stevie, who is portrayed as a girl with anxiety rather than an overpowered and ethereally beautiful main protagonist. Maureen Johnson skillfully navigates the complexities of teenage relationships, while sprinkling in a side of mystery.
While Truly Devious is a very fun novel that successfully combines the contemporary and true crime aspects, upon the ending, it still leaves several questions unanswered and may not be a satisfying read for some people. Either way, I am very excited for the next installment in the series and hope that some of my questions will be answered.
PS: Listening to this as an audiobook made the experience I had with this book so much better
Stevie Bell's dream is simple - she is a true crime fanatic and wants to solve the infamous Ellingham Academy cold case - the kidnapping of Albert Ellingham's wife and daughter, that occurred decades earlier. As Stevie comes to grips with her new school life and starts her own investigation, it appears that the cold case may not have ended all those years ago.
One of the main strengths of this book is the characters, each of their personalities being developed to a point that the reader can relate with one of them. For me, the character I related to was Stevie, who is portrayed as a girl with anxiety rather than an overpowered and ethereally beautiful main protagonist. Maureen Johnson skillfully navigates the complexities of teenage relationships, while sprinkling in a side of mystery.
While Truly Devious is a very fun novel that successfully combines the contemporary and true crime aspects, upon the ending, it still leaves several questions unanswered and may not be a satisfying read for some people. Either way, I am very excited for the next installment in the series and hope that some of my questions will be answered.
PS: Listening to this as an audiobook made the experience I had with this book so much better
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
A little bit of sometimes teens are dumb, a little bit of twisty unsolvable mess, at least in the audio. I’ll try the next one.