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dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This one was not good. I’m so sorry friends.
There were a LOT of things I found wrong with this one. From the actual storyline itself to the careless handling of the bullying.
There were definitely some slower parts in this book. The middle bit kind of plateaued for me. This book was extremely predictable. For a "thriller" it didn't have any moments that really made me gasp or feel surprised. All of the plot points were things that I guessed or expected from the very beginning. That predictability kind of took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. The only part that was truly unexpected was the epilogue.
I also hated the characters? This would not have been an immediate negative towards the book because most of the characters were written to be unlikeable. The characters didn't have to necessarily be likeable or even "good," and I think that was the point. However, I think the author DID want the readers to like Julian. He was written in a way that made him "appeal" to the readers. But he was not likeable to me whatsoever. All of the things he did for Jodi because he liked her still did not build up his character or address his bullying of Emily enough for me to change my mind. I feel like this theme was similar with a lot of characters. The author never really tackled the extreme bullying which ultimately ended in someone taking their life. In spite of it being a HUGE plot point for the story, it truly felt like an afterthought to the romance and whatever else was in the book. The author also tried to redirect the blame back onto Emily because she was “annoying?!” I don’t care, I don’t care. Jodi is as guilty as the rest. NONE of what the Thrashers did was okay. And just because she mostly did it behind Emily’s back did not absolve her of pushing someone to unalive themself.
I know a lot of people would disagree, but I'm so sorry I did not like anyone at all. I had an extremely hard time reading this book.
Despite my critiques on this book, I will say that the open ending was unexpected! It left the book open for another book or to leave a little suspense for the readers. If the author does decide to write another book. However, if she does decided to co tibie this story, I don’t think I’ll be reading any more. It was quite challenging to read this story to begin with.
There were a LOT of things I found wrong with this one. From the actual storyline itself to the careless handling of the bullying.
There were definitely some slower parts in this book. The middle bit kind of plateaued for me. This book was extremely predictable. For a "thriller" it didn't have any moments that really made me gasp or feel surprised. All of the plot points were things that I guessed or expected from the very beginning. That predictability kind of took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. The only part that was truly unexpected was the epilogue.
I also hated the characters? This would not have been an immediate negative towards the book because most of the characters were written to be unlikeable. The characters didn't have to necessarily be likeable or even "good," and I think that was the point. However, I think the author DID want the readers to like Julian. He was written in a way that made him "appeal" to the readers. But he was not likeable to me whatsoever. All of the things he did for Jodi because he liked her still did not build up his character or address his bullying of Emily enough for me to change my mind. I feel like this theme was similar with a lot of characters. The author never really tackled the extreme bullying which ultimately ended in someone taking their life. In spite of it being a HUGE plot point for the story, it truly felt like an afterthought to the romance and whatever else was in the book. The author also tried to redirect the blame back onto Emily because she was “annoying?!” I don’t care, I don’t care. Jodi is as guilty as the rest. NONE of what the Thrashers did was okay. And just because she mostly did it behind Emily’s back did not absolve her of pushing someone to unalive themself.
I know a lot of people would disagree, but I'm so sorry I did not like anyone at all. I had an extremely hard time reading this book.
Despite my critiques on this book, I will say that the open ending was unexpected! It left the book open for another book or to leave a little suspense for the readers. If the author does decide to write another book. However, if she does decided to co tibie this story, I don’t think I’ll be reading any more. It was quite challenging to read this story to begin with.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a fascinating YA Thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.
It’s been a while since I read a book that focused on high school students, so I was worried I wouldn’t be able to connect or engage with the material, but the way that the author was able to craft these characters was so well done that it was easy.
While what the Thrashers do and go through is by no means a universal experience, I think what may be almost universal is seeing or remembering a “hanger on” in high school. Who hasn’t had someone try to insert themselves into your friend group or you’ve seen happen to others who just couldn’t get the hint. Probably not as intensely as Emily, but it wasn’t a foreign concept to me. Or maybe you’ve felt that feeling yourself of the being on the outside looking in, even within your own friend group. It all felt very real to me even if it was obviously made more exaggerated for plot reasons.
One of my favorite things was the characters. As an outside force looking in, it was so clear that these people really did consider Jodi a friend, Paige and Lucy in particular. It was so typical high school and made me sad whenever Jodi couldn’t seem to understand that.
Lastly, that epilogue! Phew no spoilers but I did not see that coming.
It’s been a while since I read a book that focused on high school students, so I was worried I wouldn’t be able to connect or engage with the material, but the way that the author was able to craft these characters was so well done that it was easy.
While what the Thrashers do and go through is by no means a universal experience, I think what may be almost universal is seeing or remembering a “hanger on” in high school. Who hasn’t had someone try to insert themselves into your friend group or you’ve seen happen to others who just couldn’t get the hint. Probably not as intensely as Emily, but it wasn’t a foreign concept to me. Or maybe you’ve felt that feeling yourself of the being on the outside looking in, even within your own friend group. It all felt very real to me even if it was obviously made more exaggerated for plot reasons.
One of my favorite things was the characters. As an outside force looking in, it was so clear that these people really did consider Jodi a friend, Paige and Lucy in particular. It was so typical high school and made me sad whenever Jodi couldn’t seem to understand that.
Lastly, that epilogue! Phew no spoilers but I did not see that coming.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Couldn't put it down, stayed up way too late to finish it.
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
4.5 ⭐️
Man this book was a wild ride . It started off kinda slow and a little hard to follow, but I was so invested. I loves this book. Once I was able to do audible it was a game changer . I love a good YA and a thriller type book. Also the ending shocked tf out of me . I hated how open ended it left. Like is their going be a book two ?! Or we just done lol
Definitely recommend!
Man this book was a wild ride . It started off kinda slow and a little hard to follow, but I was so invested. I loves this book. Once I was able to do audible it was a game changer . I love a good YA and a thriller type book. Also the ending shocked tf out of me . I hated how open ended it left. Like is their going be a book two ?! Or we just done lol
Definitely recommend!
Thought this was gonna end up a 3 or 4 star read but I was so hooked that I legit cannot give it anything other than 5 stars. Epilogue was insane. Julie Soto you will always be famous.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes