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babs_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
A mash up of Pretty Little Liars and Mean Girls, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat as you follow the twists and the reveals. It's predictable in a sense of how any murder mystery is predictable and being teenagers, predictably they respond the way you think.
I held a knot in my stomach while reading because I couldn't figure out who it was, and every single time our girl Penelope was near anyone else I had fear she was next. I held a few theories and honestly, I would have preferred to see one of those play out opposed to what actually unfolded. -this is the reason for docking stars- that ending was ... a let down. The reasoning behind who it was ... I was disappointed.
My attention was held throughout the book as we learned more about each character, but I fear there were too many side characters meant to have some spot light like the Larks, because half of them held no depth. At one point a girl is mentioned and Penelope, our main gal, thinks "Bet you didn't know she's a Lark, well she is." I'm paraphrasing here because I can't recall exact words but it was slightly annoying to have characters that were so surface it hurt to try and remember who they were. Yet, the Larks were being 'targeted' by the killer.
All in all, I enjoyed reading it. It wasn't a long read, took me just a few hours to finish it. I enjoy thrillers and did enjoy the ride of this one, only wish it was executed slightly different. This is my first novel by this author and I will look at her other works soon.
*Review copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I held a knot in my stomach while reading because I couldn't figure out who it was, and every single time our girl Penelope was near anyone else I had fear she was next. I held a few theories and honestly, I would have preferred to see one of those play out opposed to what actually unfolded. -this is the reason for docking stars- that ending was ... a let down. The reasoning behind who it was ... I was disappointed.
My attention was held throughout the book as we learned more about each character, but I fear there were too many side characters meant to have some spot light like the Larks, because half of them held no depth. At one point a girl is mentioned and Penelope, our main gal, thinks "Bet you didn't know she's a Lark, well she is." I'm paraphrasing here because I can't recall exact words but it was slightly annoying to have characters that were so surface it hurt to try and remember who they were. Yet, the Larks were being 'targeted' by the killer.
All in all, I enjoyed reading it. It wasn't a long read, took me just a few hours to finish it. I enjoy thrillers and did enjoy the ride of this one, only wish it was executed slightly different. This is my first novel by this author and I will look at her other works soon.
*Review copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
mehsi's review against another edition
1.0
30% and DNF.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Oh boy, Oh boy. My second DNF for this year, and the year isn’t even a 2 weeks old. :( And like the first DNF, this one was a book I really wanted to read. Like I was going grabby hands when I first heard about it. Sadly, it was just not meant to be.
What happens when the popular girls are getting killed off left and right? Well, not much, given that I reached 30% with very little death. Going by the pattern I am guessing not many more are going to die, or the author is suddenly boosting up the pace, I hope for those reading this one further than I do that she will do it, but I am not going to stick around waiting for it.
I hated Penelope, or Penny. She was a stuck-up, huge-ass ego girl who likes to slut shame people (she does it multiple times and not just girls), she is a bitch towards her friends. Acts like she is so much better. And I could go on, but I am sure you get the point. I am not sure if I should feel sorry for her for all that happens near her, but the fact remains, I couldn’t care what happens to her. At all.
And then there are the other characters (and what we learn of Gretchen) and I am sorry, but what a couple of terrible girls those are. Sure, no one deserves to be killed, but I can imagine that someone is pissed. Given how these girls treat others… :\
The police officers and how they handled stuff? Eh, sorry, but that is not exactly how I expect police to act.
The only thing that held my attention was the killer’s (at least I am guessing they are the killer’s) POV. I am normally not a girl who likes those POV (too gruesome), but in this case? I was looking forward to seeing them because they had more excitement than the entire book had.
So, I am really disappointed, I do hope that this year will turn out to be better in regards of reading.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Oh boy, Oh boy. My second DNF for this year, and the year isn’t even a 2 weeks old. :( And like the first DNF, this one was a book I really wanted to read. Like I was going grabby hands when I first heard about it. Sadly, it was just not meant to be.
What happens when the popular girls are getting killed off left and right? Well, not much, given that I reached 30% with very little death. Going by the pattern I am guessing not many more are going to die, or the author is suddenly boosting up the pace, I hope for those reading this one further than I do that she will do it, but I am not going to stick around waiting for it.
I hated Penelope, or Penny. She was a stuck-up, huge-ass ego girl who likes to slut shame people (she does it multiple times and not just girls), she is a bitch towards her friends. Acts like she is so much better. And I could go on, but I am sure you get the point. I am not sure if I should feel sorry for her for all that happens near her, but the fact remains, I couldn’t care what happens to her. At all.
And then there are the other characters (and what we learn of Gretchen) and I am sorry, but what a couple of terrible girls those are. Sure, no one deserves to be killed, but I can imagine that someone is pissed. Given how these girls treat others… :\
The police officers and how they handled stuff? Eh, sorry, but that is not exactly how I expect police to act.
The only thing that held my attention was the killer’s (at least I am guessing they are the killer’s) POV. I am normally not a girl who likes those POV (too gruesome), but in this case? I was looking forward to seeing them because they had more excitement than the entire book had.
So, I am really disappointed, I do hope that this year will turn out to be better in regards of reading.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
priscilla_readss's review against another edition
3.5
Okay this one actually surprised me. I was worried that it was going to be obvious and cringy because of its concept but I actually thought it was interesting. I had two guesses of who it was but was surprised that it wasn’t my first choice about things. There were a couple plot holes for me or I could have just missed it originally. I had no idea what I was getting into with this one but I actually enjoyed it, it may not have been the best academic thriller/slasher book I’ve read but it was still good time as I was going.
boatsbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ankysbookbubble's review against another edition
4.0
I'll be honest, at the beginning, I thought about giving up on this, once or twice. I just couldn't get into it. But then came along Cass Vincenti, and he's the one who added all the real stuff into the story.
Though the story was from Penelope's point of view, I just couldn't get into it until Cass showed up. Her character seemed pretty dull to me, to be honest.
After that, the story picked right up. There was suspense, and of course the romance. I read this book in two days, only because I had to sleep. I kept reading, first because I wanted to know who the killer was and then when I did realize who it most possibly was, I kept reading because of Cass.
I also loved the 'killer's point of view' snippets. They kept me on edge, and wanting to keep reading.
All in all though, Pretty Dead Girl was pretty reckless but a page turner nonetheless!
Though the story was from Penelope's point of view, I just couldn't get into it until Cass showed up. Her character seemed pretty dull to me, to be honest.
After that, the story picked right up. There was suspense, and of course the romance. I read this book in two days, only because I had to sleep. I kept reading, first because I wanted to know who the killer was and then when I did realize who it most possibly was, I kept reading because of Cass.
I also loved the 'killer's point of view' snippets. They kept me on edge, and wanting to keep reading.
All in all though, Pretty Dead Girl was pretty reckless but a page turner nonetheless!
liliravioli's review against another edition
5.0
auf französisch gelesen. hat mich an one of us is lying erinnert, krimi und liebe, leicht zu lesen -0,5 punkte weil es manchmal zu klischee haft war
stormiclouds's review against another edition
5.0
I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! I'm actually writing this review after getting only 3 hours of sleep because I stayed up WAY too late last night finishing Pretty Dead Girls. Seriously. Plan on reading this book cover to cover in one sitting. Monica Murphy has a special talent when it comes to creating characters and a world that will pull you in. Everything from the cute little beach town to the bitchy teenage girls and the mysterious and sexy Cass was expertly crafted and realistic. For those of you who enjoyed the TV show Pretty Little Liars, you will be engrossed in this book.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
jen286's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty Dead Girls was...not my favorite read. It sounded like it should be just my thing, but the story was just meh at best. Oh well.
So someone is killing all of the popular girls in school, the seniors who are park of a club called the Larks. A super exclusive club that only has 10 members, 5 seniors, 5 juniors. And Penelope is the leader of the club, though she is realizing there is more to life then being a petty, horrible person to other people and ruling the school. When one of the Lark's shows up dead people are shocked, but not too worried. Until more girls die.
Now through this Penelope is trying to figure out who she can trust and whatnot. And getting closer to Cass, the weird guy in their class. Now Cass was...I did not like him. He very well could have been the killer and I wouldn't have been surprised. He was WAY too controling and overbearing, though Pen didn't mind that. He would be all caveman I am taking you everywhere you go because I mist protect poor innocent little girl who cannot protect herself rar! But the way he said it was horrible! Like I would have been all screw you and done what I wanted. Cause he was horrible. And Pen even thought he was creepy at first, but then I guess he is cute so....she can like him. Sure. I hate that I think he is creepy, but oh so dreamy thing. Cause it makes no sense. If you think someone is creepy you don't also have a crush on them. Lame.
So they grow closer or something throughout the story and...it was odd. Like Pen doesn't trust him so...at one point she even thinks he is the killer even though he was literally right by her side when the person was murdered. So...how could he have done it??? It made NO sense. That and there was really no way of figuring out who it was or why they were doing it until they explained it at the end. Because it is because of something that happened years ago that we the reader are not privy to. Until the killer tells us at the end. So yeah. I am not really a fan of the surprise! It is this person! There was no way for you to figure that out! thing. Like I like if it is not an obvious choice, but there should have least be hints at who it is. Which there were vague ones, but I don't know.
Also all of the other characters were pretty horrible. All the other seniors are mean girls and....still mean girls at the end. I don't get it. Like they were all the worst so why do I care? Not a fan of this one.
So someone is killing all of the popular girls in school, the seniors who are park of a club called the Larks. A super exclusive club that only has 10 members, 5 seniors, 5 juniors. And Penelope is the leader of the club, though she is realizing there is more to life then being a petty, horrible person to other people and ruling the school. When one of the Lark's shows up dead people are shocked, but not too worried. Until more girls die.
Now through this Penelope is trying to figure out who she can trust and whatnot. And getting closer to Cass, the weird guy in their class. Now Cass was...I did not like him. He very well could have been the killer and I wouldn't have been surprised. He was WAY too controling and overbearing, though Pen didn't mind that. He would be all caveman I am taking you everywhere you go because I mist protect poor innocent little girl who cannot protect herself rar! But the way he said it was horrible! Like I would have been all screw you and done what I wanted. Cause he was horrible. And Pen even thought he was creepy at first, but then I guess he is cute so....she can like him. Sure. I hate that I think he is creepy, but oh so dreamy thing. Cause it makes no sense. If you think someone is creepy you don't also have a crush on them. Lame.
So they grow closer or something throughout the story and...it was odd. Like Pen doesn't trust him so...at one point she even thinks he is the killer even though he was literally right by her side when the person was murdered. So...how could he have done it??? It made NO sense. That and there was really no way of figuring out who it was or why they were doing it until they explained it at the end. Because it is because of something that happened years ago that we the reader are not privy to. Until the killer tells us at the end. So yeah. I am not really a fan of the surprise! It is this person! There was no way for you to figure that out! thing. Like I like if it is not an obvious choice, but there should have least be hints at who it is. Which there were vague ones, but I don't know.
Also all of the other characters were pretty horrible. All the other seniors are mean girls and....still mean girls at the end. I don't get it. Like they were all the worst so why do I care? Not a fan of this one.
bookloversofi's review against another edition
3.0
3/5 Stars
I liked it although I expected more, it's a very entertaining book if you like the mystery genre, but I would recommend it for those who are just beginning with it, since it has been quite predictable for me. Maybe I' have great expectations with this one, but the characters seemed really flat and if you already know me, you know I can't let that happen. Even so, it's entertaining and the writing style is quite good. But even so I expected something more complex here and instead I found a quite simple mystery book, nothing that I haven't read before to be honest, but it can be entertaining if you're looking for a light reading and don't want to read a simple contemporaneous, you know?
I liked it although I expected more, it's a very entertaining book if you like the mystery genre, but I would recommend it for those who are just beginning with it, since it has been quite predictable for me. Maybe I' have great expectations with this one, but the characters seemed really flat and if you already know me, you know I can't let that happen. Even so, it's entertaining and the writing style is quite good. But even so I expected something more complex here and instead I found a quite simple mystery book, nothing that I haven't read before to be honest, but it can be entertaining if you're looking for a light reading and don't want to read a simple contemporaneous, you know?